Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optimal burstiness in populations of spiking neurons facilitates decoding of decreases in tonic firing

A stimulus can be encoded in a population of spiking neurons through any change in the statistics of the joint spike pattern, yet we commonly summarize single-trial population activity by the summed spike rate across cells: the population peri-stimulus time histogram (pPSTH). For neurons with low baseline spike rate that encode a stimulus with a rate increase, this simplified representation works well, but for populations with high baseline rates and heterogeneous response patterns, the pPSTH has limited utility in capturing the neural representation of the stimulus. We simulated populations of spiking neurons that varied in size, baseline rate, burst statistics, and correlation, and we measured how these populations represent decreases (gaps) in spike rate. We introduce a different representation of the population spike pattern which we call an “information train,” and we show that it is more flexible and robust than the pPSTH in capturing stimulus information across different types of neuronal populations. In particular, we use this tool to study populations with varying levels of burstiness in their spiking statistics. We find that there is an optimal level of burstiness for gap detection that is robust to several other parameters of the population. Next, we consider this theoretical result in the context of experimental data from different types of retinal ganglion cells and determine that the baseline spike statistics of a particular, recently identified type support nearly optimal detection of both the onset and strength of a contrast step.
Diffuse low-grade gliomas

Description : Diffuse low-grade gliomas (WHO grade II) are a sub-group of rare and heterogeneous primary brain tumors that usually occur in young patients living a normal life until the onset of a first seizure. A good understanding of the natural history of these gliomas namely: their steady progression, infiltration along white matter fibers and especially the risk of malignant transformation-which endangers the functional and vital prognosis, associated with the minimization of the risk of treatment, has led to a therapeutic change from the "classic" conservative attitude to a more rigorous therapeutic strategy. Current goal is to elaborate dynamic and individualized treatment; that is; to define the sequence and timing of each treatment option (single to multiple safe
Spatial and temporal variations in sediment accumulation in the central tropical Pacific

5 INTRODUCTION . 7 MATERIALS . 8 SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION RATES . 11 Concentration . 11 Sedimentation Rates . 15 Sediment Density . 27 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 34 Sediment Accumulations . 34 Calcium Carbonate . 34 Opal. 43 Organic Carbon . 46 Non-Biogenic Components . 50 Sediment Sediment Trap Comparison . 67 Input to the Sediments . 68 Sediment Trap Sediment Calibration . 77 Temporal Estimates of Benthic Recycling 79 Calcite Storage . 84 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . 92 REFERENCES . 95 CHAPTER II SPATIAL VARIATIONS IN SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION AT MANOP SITE C, CENTRAL EQUATORIAL PACIFIC: EVIDENCE FOR EASTWARD FLOWING BOTTOM-WATERS PRIOR TO 9,000 YEARS AGO . 107 ABSTRACT . 108. 108 INTRODUCTION . 109 SITE DESCRIPTION . 113 METHODS . 118 Solid Phase Chemistry . 118 Correlations . 119 Accumulation Rates . 126 RESULTS . 127 DISCUSSION . 145 CONCLUSIONS . 153 REFERENCES . 154 CHAPTER III WATER COLUMN WEIGHT FLUXES OF OPAL AND CALCAREOUS MICROFOSSILS IN THE CENTRAL EQUATORIAL PACIFIC: PALEOOCEANOGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS . 157 ABSTRACT . 158 INTRODUCTION . 160 METHODS . 164 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION . 169 Characteristics of the Flux . 169 Partitioning the Flux into Plankton Groups . 174 Water Column Weight Fluxes of Microfossils . 176 Comparison of Trap Fluxes and Sediment Accumulations . 184 CONCLUSIONS . 195 REFERENCES . 197 CHAPTER IV SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION AT MANOP SITE 5, CENTRAL TROPICAL PACIFIC: LOCAL REWORKING AND A LATE QUATERNARY INCREASE IN SEDIMENT ACCUMULATION . 200 ABSTRACT . 201. 20
Capacity Bounds for the Gaussian Interference Channel

The capacity region of the two-user Gaussian interference channel (IC) is studied. Three classes of channels are considered: weak, one-sided, and mixed Gaussian ICs. For the weak Gaussian IC, a new outer bound on the capacity region is obtained that outperforms previously known outer bounds. The sum capacity for a certain range of channel parameters is derived. For this range, it is proved that using Gaussian codebooks and treating interference as noise are optimal. It is shown that when Gaussian codebooks are used, the full Han-Kobayashi achievable rate region can be obtained by using the naive Han-Kobayashi achievable scheme over three frequency bands (equivalently, three subspaces). For the one-sided Gaussian IC, an alternative proof for the Sato's outer bound is presented. We derive the full Han-Kobayashi achievable rate region when Gaussian codebooks are utilized. For the mixed Gaussian IC, a new outer bound is obtained that outperforms previously known outer bounds. For this case, the sum capacity for the entire range of channel parameters is derived. It is proved that the full Han-Kobayashi achievable rate region using Gaussian codebooks is equivalent to that of the one-sided Gaussian IC for a particular range of channel parameters.
An operational approach for annual land cover mapping at the national scale with MERIS images.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a previous developed methodology, in which was produced a medium scale land cover map for Portugal for 2005, when tested with upto-date data. If proved successful, this methodology can be used on an operational basis for the establishment of an annual land cover mapping program at the national scale. The main point of this work is to capitalize the investment that was made before, namely in the reutilization of the reference samples (train and test) previously collected, for the development of up-to-date land cover maps. To carry out our study we have produced a land cover map for 2006 using the same methods, nomenclature, reference and auxiliary datasets, and others, that were exploited and established with success before. For map classification we used a supervised Linear Discriminant Classifier (LDC) combined with a vegetation index differentiating technique. Prior to the classification, we submitted the 2005 training database to an outliers detection procedure in order to remove and replace those sample observations that registered class changes from 2005 to 2006. The 2006 map was then rigorously validated and compared with 2005 map. Overall accuracy of the final map was of 70%, showing to be smaller than the one obtained for 2005 map, yet being considerably high. Comparison results demonstrated high agreement between 2006 and 2005 maps. General conclusions suggest that the developed procedure is effective and therefore can be use on an operational basis.
[Clinical Significance of Peripheral Blood EBV-DNA Determination and Genotyping in Lymphoma Patients].

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical significance of Epstein-Barr virus（EBV） detection and classification in peripheral blood of lymphoma patients. METHODS 101 lymphoma patients were enrolled, the clinical characteristics of the patients were collected, including ages, sex, types of lymphoma, Ann Arbor stages, extranodal infiltration and lactate dehyhrogenase. Fluorescent quantitative PCR technology was used to detect the EBV-DNA. Polymerase chain reaction and Agarose gel electrophoresis was used for determination of EB genotyping. The difference between curative effect in EBV-DNA+ and EBV-DNA－ patients, the correlation of adverse factors and EBV infection of the patients were analyzed. RESULTS 68.3% (69/101) of the patients showed EBV-DNA positive. EBV-positive lymphoma patients showed more adverse prognostic factors than the patients with EBV-negative, which may lead to poorer disease outcome. Among the 46 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients, the overall response rate of EBV-positive patients (60.7%) was lower than EBV-negative patients(88.9%) (P<0.05); For 19 patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma, the overall response rate of EBV-positive patients (46.2%) was lower than EBV-negative patients (100%), the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Among 69 patients with EBV-infected lymphoma, 98.6% (68/69) showed type-2 EB virus, and 1.4% (1/69) were type-1 and type-2 mixed infections. CONCLUSION Most of EBV-positive in lymphoma patients were EBV type 2, patients with EBV-DNA+ shows poorer efficacy than EBV-DNA－ patients.
Smart City Smart City

The increase in waste generation and water use in urban areas may lead to local flooding that is dangerous for health if it is not appropriately managed by waste and water systems in urban infrastructure. The Sponge City is a concept that utilizes Green Infrastructures (GIs) to manage waste and water systems while still maintaining open and public spaces functions. This study review the waste and water infrastructure systems in Depok, Indonesia which are compared with Gainesville in the United States, and Cardiff, United Kingdom, to give recommendations for preventing flooding in urban areas. Analysis is by comparison of data based on factors that affect GI implementation, such as (1) management system, (2) policy context, and (3) key organizations or stakeholders. Data was collected using web scraping of the latest news and information to provide digital statistics of the current flooding disasters, water management systems, and waste management systems. This study identified three possible GI implementations that can be arranged in a hierarchy. The GI implementation in Depok focuses on the making of programs and management systems which involve citizen participation that prioritize the development of biopores at the household level. Gainesville focuses on Gainesville Department of Public Works which controls both waste and water management, namely through the prioritization of single-use plastic bans throughout Gainesville. In Cardiff, GI focuses on the attempt of the Wales Government and Cardiff Council to make an integrated development strategy that prioritizes holistic surface water management combined with a waste disposal system. This study open possibilities of GI implementations that reflect the urban areas characteristic in preventing local flooding by managing waste and water systems.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. A therapeutic challenge

t Background d Ovulationn induction with gonadotropins is the standard treatment strategy for women withh clomiphene citrate (CC) resistant polycystic ovary syndrome. Laparoscopic electrocauteryy of the ovaries is an alternative treatment modality, leading to a comparable cumulativee pregnancy rate. In deciding which treatment to opt for, women's health related qualityy of life should be taken into account.
Ageism: Negative and Positive

In this updated edition, Palmore provides a comprehensive review of many different forms of ageism - including the interesting notion of positive ageism, which projects onto the elderly as a group traditional virtues like wisdom and thrift. He discusses both the individual and social influences on attitudes toward the aged; analyzes institutional patterns of ageism; and explores ways to used to reduce the impact of ageism on the elderly. This book is a valuable resource and text for students and professionals interested in the sociology of aging in our society. Erdman Palmore has studied prejudice and discrimination toward older people in various ways throughout his distinguished career. Since publication of his ground breaking first edition, 10 years ago, there has been a growing interest and acceleration of research on the topic of ageism. In nontechnical language, Palmore provides a comprehensive review of the many different forms of ageism, including positive ageism, discusses the individual and social influences on ageism, analyzes institutional patterns, and explores methods that could be used to reduce ageism. This book is a valuable resource and text for students and professionals interested in the problems and opportunities of aging in our society. Useful educational tools include: A revised Appendix of the Facts on Aging Quizzes, as well as a totally new Appendix of Abstracts of recent publications on ageism.
Doing Business Far from Home: Multinational Firms and Labor Market Outcomes in Saudi Arabia Doing Business Far from Home: Multinational Firms and Labor Market Outcomes in Saudi Arabia ∗

We study how foreign ﬁrms strategically adapt to their local environment and make hiring decisions in a host country with diﬀering deep-seated cultural norms. Using unique employer-employee matched data of the private sector in Saudi Arabia, we ﬁnd that foreign ﬁrms hire a larger share of Saudis and pay a ﬁrm premium of 9% for Saudis and 16% for non-Saudis. Our foreign ﬁrm premium estimates are robust to workers’ initial wage and ﬁrms’ country of origin, and persist even for foreign ﬁrms coming from countries with high Muslim share and low female labor force participation (FLFP). Female workers also receive a higher wage premium at foreign ﬁrms but are not hired more intensively compared to local ﬁrms, even for foreign ﬁrms coming from countries with greater FLFP. We propose a model in which foreign and domestic ﬁrms diﬀer in their productivity levels and amenities oﬀered to each type of worker. We ﬁnd that amenities are important in understanding foreign ﬁrms’ wage setting and worker hiring decisions.
Effets des interactions biotiques sur la régénération des forêts le long de gradients climatiques

Comprendre comment les variations du climat pourraient influencer le recrutement des arbres en foret est un defi car la germination, la croissance et la survie des semis sont particulierement sensibles aux facteurs biotiques et abiotiques. Plusieurs modeles conceptuels generaux, (la « stress gradient hypothesis » SGH et « latitudinal herbivory theory » LHT,) suggerent que la nature et l'intensite des interactions biotiques varient le long de gradients environnementaux. Ces modeles constituent une base theorique utile pour determiner le role des interactions biotiques dans la reponse des communautes vegetales aux variations du climat. Cependant, les etudes portant sur la SGH se sont limitees aux interactions directes entre plantes et ont neglige les interactions complexes. Les theories developpees pour des niveaux trophiques superieurs (comme la LHT) sont quant-a elles sujettes a debat et ne considerent qu'un nombre limite d'interactions. Les interactions avec les micro-organismes du sol ont par exemple ete negligees. Dans cette these, j'ai analyse comment les interactions directes et indirectes entre les semis, les arbres adultes, la vegetation herbacee, les insectes herbivores et les pathogenes du sol varient en nature et en intensite le long de gradients climatiques. Pour explorer les interactions entre plantes, j'ai effectue une experimentation s'appuyant sur la variabilite spatio-temporelle des conditions climatiques dans les Alpes. Les resultats montrent que les effets directs de competition de la canopee et de la vegetation herbacee augmentent avec la temperature. Cependant, pour les sites les plus chauds, la facilitation indirecte pourrait limiter la competition directe des herbacees. Pour les interactions avec insectes herbivores,nous avons montre que le long de gradients d'altitude et de latitude, l'herbivorie est minimale la ou les stress thermiques et hydriques est fort. Enfin, pour les interactions avec les micro-organismes du sol, nous avons mesure en chambre de culture la survie de plantules de hetre dans des sols, sterilises ou non, collectes le long d'un gradient d'altitude. Les resultats montrent que les effets negatifs des micro-organismes sont plus faibles quand les communautes microbiennes proviennent de sols d'altitudes. Cette these suggere que les effets directs negatifs des plantes, des insectes herbivores et des pathogenes du sol sur les semis dominent dans les environnements chauds et productifs et s'attenuent dans des conditions plus froides. Les interactions indirectes semblent varier inversement et pourraient ainsi tamponner l'effet des interactions directes.
A study between serum Magnesium, Zinc, and Copper levels in Egyptian patients of Metabolic Syndrome and its Component.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major worldwide health problem. It is considered to be a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn) and Copper (Cu) are essential trace elements which maintain metabolic body homeostasis through its antioxidant effect. The relationship between trace elements and MetS syndrome and its component is subtle. It may be mediated via oxidative stress. To investigate serum Mg, Zn, and Cu in MetS and its component in Egyptian patients. It included 15 MetS patients in-group (G)-II, 15 hypertensive in G-III, and 15 T2DM in G-IV. There were 15 healthy control in G-I. It carried out in Al Azhar University. Laboratory assessments of lipid profile, HbA1c, blood glucose level, serum Mg, Zn and Cu in all groups. serum Mg and Zn were significantly lower in G-II, G-III and G-IV, in compare to G-I. Cu was significantly high in G-II but significantly low in G-III & G-IV in comparative to G-I. Increased serum Cu level is associated with T2DM, but the decrease of it leads to MetS and hypertension. Mg or Zn deficiency may lead to MetS, T2DM and hypertension and should be supplemented.
Seeing and understanding epistemic actions

Many actions have instrumental aims, in which we move our bodies to achieve a physical outcome in the environment. However, we also perform actions with epistemic aims, in which we move our bodies to acquire information and learn about the world. A large literature on action recognition investigates how observers represent and understand the former class of actions; but what about the latter class? Can one person tell, just by observing another person’s movements, what they are trying to learn? Here, five experiments explore epistemic action understanding. We filmed volunteers playing a “physics game” consisting of two rounds: Players shook an opaque box and attempted to determine i) the number of objects hidden inside, or ii) the shape of the objects inside. Then, independent subjects watched these videos and were asked to determine which videos came from which round: Who was shaking for number and who was shaking for shape? Across several variations, observers successfully determined what an actor was trying to learn, based only on their actions (i.e., how they shook the box)—even when the box’s contents were identical across rounds. These results demonstrate that humans can infer epistemic intent from physical behaviors, adding a new dimension to research on action understanding.
Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.

DESCRIPTION New US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on screening for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children. METHODS The USPSTF reviewed the evidence on the accuracy, benefits, and potential harms of brief, formal screening instruments for ASD administered during routine primary care visits and the benefits and potential harms of early behavioral treatment for young children identified with ASD through screening. POPULATION This recommendation applies to children aged 18 to 30 months who have not been diagnosed with ASD or developmental delay and for whom no concerns of ASD have been raised by parents, other caregivers, or health care professionals. RECOMMENDATION The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for ASD in young children for whom no concerns of ASD have been raised by their parents or a clinician. (I statement).
Fibrin glue and transanal rectal advancement flap for high transsphincteric perianal fistulas; is there any advantage?

Background In recent decades, fibrin glue has appeared as an alternative treatment for high perianal fistulas. Early results seemed promising, with high success rates being reported. However, with increasing follow-up, the enthusiasm was tempered because of disappointing results. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the additional value of fibrin glue in combination with transanal advancement flap, compared to advancement flap alone, for the treatment of high transsphincteric fistulas of cryptoglandular origin. Methods Between January 1995 and January 2006, 127 patients were operated for high perianal fistulas with an advancement flap. After exclusion of patients with inflammatory bowel disease or human immunodeficiency virus, 80 patients remained. Patients were matched for prior fistula surgery, and the advancement was performed identically in all patients. A consecutive series of 26 patients had an advancement flap combined with obliteration of the fistula tract with fibrin glue. In the fibrin glue group, glue was installed retrogradely in the fistula tract after the advancement was completed and the fistula tract had been curetted. Results Follow-up after surgery was a median of 67 months (range 13-127). The overall recurrence rate was 26% (n=21). Recurrence rates for advancement flap alone vs. the combination with glue were 13% vs. 56% (p=0.01) in the group without previous fistula surgery, and 23% vs. 41% (p=0.216) in the group with previous fistula surgery. Conclusions Obliterating the fistula tract with fibrin glue was associated with worse outcome after rectal advancement flap for high perianal fistulas.
A HYBRID ARX-NEURAL NETWORK MODEL FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL SIMULATION OF ACOUSTIC RADIATIONS FROM ROTATING MACHINE VIBRATION

Acoustic noise in industrial areas, typically generated by compressors and vacuum pumps, may be mitigated with the combined use of passive and active noise control strategies. Despite its widespread use, the traditional Active Noise Control (ANC) technique is proved to be effective only within a small delimited spatial area. When it is necessary the movement of human operators in a relatively large area around the noisy equipment, new canceling strategies need to be devised to achieve an acceptable spatial coverage. In the pursuit of this goal, it is proposed in this paper a model for predicting acoustic pressure levels in a spatial grid from measurement of the vibration level in the noisy equipment. There were employed in our experimental set-up a centrifugal pump with an accelerometer attached to its casing, and a microphone to cover many pre-defined positions in a spatial grid. The proposed procedure comprises the vibration-to-acoustic modeling of the machine-room transfer function using a fixed-structure ARX (Auto-Regressive with eXogenous input) model. For each spatial coordinate of the microphone a SISO (Single-Input Single-Output) system where the input is the machine vibration and the output is the noise level is identified, generating a corresponding set of estimated parameters. To accommodate the many sets of parameters into a single ARX model it is proposed here the use of a multi-layer feed-forward neural network to calculate the model parameters for any given point of the room with Cartesian coordinates X, Y and Z (neural network inputs). We present a comparison between experimental data and model predictions. Results show good agreement between experimental data and model predictions, indicating the potential use of the proposed model in the design of new ANC strategies.