Cartesian Bicategories II

The notion of cartesian bicategory, introduced by Carboni and Walters for locally ordered bicategories, is extended to general bicategories. It is shown that a cartesian bicategory is a symmetric monoidal bicategory

Conspiracies Between Learning Algorithms, Circuit Lower Bounds, and Pseudorandomness

We prove several results giving new and stronger connections between learning theory, circuit complexity and pseudorandomness. Let C be any typical class of Boolean circuits, and C[s(n)] denote n-variable C-circuits of size <= s(n). We show: Learning Speedups: If C[s(n)] admits a randomized weak learning algorithm under the uniform distribution with membership queries that runs in time 2^n/n^{omega(1)}, then for every k >= 1 and epsilon > 0 the class C[n^k] can be learned to high accuracy in time O(2^{n^epsilon}). There is epsilon > 0 such that C[2^{n^{epsilon}}] can be learned in time 2^n/n^{omega(1)} if and only if C[poly(n)] can be learned in time 2^{(log(n))^{O(1)}}. Equivalences between Learning Models: We use learning speedups to obtain equivalences between various randomized learning and compression models, including sub-exponential time learning with membership queries, sub-exponential time learning with membership and equivalence queries, probabilistic function compression and probabilistic average-case function compression. A Dichotomy between Learnability and Pseudorandomness: In the non-uniform setting, there is non-trivial learning for C[poly(n)] if and only if there are no exponentially secure pseudorandom functions computable in C[poly(n)]. Lower Bounds from Nontrivial Learning: If for each k >= 1, (depth-d)-C[n^k] admits a randomized weak learning algorithm with membership queries under the uniform distribution that runs in time 2^n/n^{omega(1)}, then for each k >= 1, BPE is not contained in (depth-d)-C[n^k]. If for some epsilon > 0 there are P-natural proofs useful against C[2^{n^{epsilon}}], then ZPEXP is not contained in C[poly(n)]. Karp-Lipton Theorems for Probabilistic Classes: If there is a k > 0 such that BPE is contained in i.o.Circuit[n^k], then BPEXP is contained in i.o.EXP/O(log(n)). If ZPEXP is contained in i.o.Circuit[2^{n/3}], then ZPEXP is contained in i.o.ESUBEXP. Hardness Results for MCSP: All functions in non-uniform NC^1 reduce to the Minimum Circuit Size Problem via truth-table reductions computable by TC^0 circuits. In particular, if MCSP is in TC^0 then NC^1 = TC^0

Teaching the science in neuroscience to protect from neuromyths: from courses to fieldwork

In recent decades, Cognitive Neuroscience has evolved from a rather arcane field trying to understand how the brain supports mental activities, to one that contributes to public policies. In this article, we focus on the contributions from Cognitive Neuroscience to Education. This line of research has produced a great deal of information that can potentially help in the transformation of Education, promoting interventions that help in several domains including literacy and math learning, social skills and science. The growth of the Neurosciences has also created a public demand for knowledge and a market for neuro-products to fulfill these demands, through books, booklets, courses, apps and websites. These products are not always based on scientific findings and coupled to the complexities of the scientific theories and evidence, have led to the propagation of misconceptions and the perpetuation of neuromyths. This is particularly harmful for educators because these misconceptions might make them abandon useful practices in favor of others not sustained by evidence. In order to bridge the gap between Education and Neuroscience, we have been conducting, since 2013, a set of activities that put educators and scientists to work together in research projects. The participation goes from discussing the research results of our projects to being part and deciding aspects of the field interventions. Another strategy consists of a course centered around the applications of Neuroscience to Education and their empirical and theoretical bases. These two strategies have to be compared to popularization efforts that just present Neuroscientific results. We show that the more the educators are involved in the discussion of the methodological bases of Neuroscientific knowledge, be it in the course or as part of a stay, the better they manage the underlying concepts. We argue that this is due to the understanding of scientific principles, which leads to a more profound comprehension of what the evidence can and cannot support, thus shielding teachers from the false allure of some commercial neuro-products. We discuss the three approaches and present our efforts to determine whether they lead to a strong understanding of the conceptual and empirical base of Neuroscience.ANII: FSED-2- 13882

Reproductive performance and offspring quality of non-ablated Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) under intensive commercial scale conditions

This study evaluated reproductive performance of non-ablated Litopenaeus vannamei and the quality of their offspring under commercial conditions. Five tanks were stocked with non-ablated female and other five with ablated individuals as control. Two different larval rearing trials (Larviculture I and II) have been conducted. Six larviculture tanks (n = 3) were used on the first trial (LI) and ten for the second one (LII) (n = 3). Postlarvae from LII were used for nursery and grow-out. Spawning event and hatching rate per day were similar between both treatments. Mating success, mortality of female and number of eggs and nauplii per tank per day of non-ablated group were significantly lower than ablated female. Non-ablated female fecundity (number of eggs and nauplii per spawned female per day) was significantly higher than control. There was no significant difference between daily larval stage index of larvae in LI and LII. The response to the salinity stress test, and final survival and weight in LI was similar. However in LII, postlarvae derived from non-ablated had significantly higher survival to salinity stress test. Identical survival, final weight, weekly growth, feed conversion rate and yield were observed in nursery. The same was observed in grow-out, including weight gain and specific growth rate. Overall this study demonstrates that non-ablated females can have comparable level of productivity to ablated females in intensive commercial hatchery conditions. Their offspring perform comparably in all culture stages with evidence of enhanced resistance to stress in larvae derived from non-ablated female broodstock

Studio idrogeologico degli acquiferi profondi del Sinis(Sardegna Centro-Occidentale)

Sinis area is located in the north western sector of Campidano plain, to the North of the Gulf of Oristano. In that sector of Sardinia underground waters constitute the most important water resource for agriculture. In Sinis area two deep aquifers have been placed. The first, placed in the western part, is constituted by sands and gravels and it is overhung by a very thick clayey marl’s layer. The water yeld of the confined aquifer has been determined by pumping tests from which it results that the pumping rate varies between 6 and 13.5 l/sec. The average Transmissivity is 1.7 x 10-3 m2/s. The other aquifer system, already known and studied for a long time, belongs to the alluvial multilayered aquifer of Campidano. It is constituted by very permeable layers of sands and gravels alternated to impervious or semi confining silty clay layers. The Transmissivity of this aquifer results superior to 10-3 m2/sec. Pumping rates are at least 6-7 l/sec. Chemical analysis showed that some samples of water taken in the southern part of Sinis present some anomalous values and they show thermal waters typical characters. This fact is confirmed by the average temperatures around 23°C. It could be a ground water recharge by deep thermal waters, with which waters coming from Montiferru would be mixed

A rare Condition of Hand-Schuller-Christian Disease

The authors present the clinical case of a 61-year-old patient with Hand-Schüller-Christian disease associated with multisystemic involvement. The onset of such puzzling symptoms and the extremely rarity of this disease in a patient of such advanced age resulted in a delayed diagnosis and subsequently delayed treatment of the patient

A two-step parallel plate chamber with a resistive germanium anode and a two dimensional readout for the detection of minimum ionizing particles

Abstract A parallel plate avalanche chamber specially suited for the high resolution detection of minimum ionizing particles (m.i.p.) is presented. The anode is made of a thin germanium layer with a sheet resistivity > 1 M Ω/p[ while the cathode is made of a nickel mesh having 600 line pairs/in. A chess board of pads placed behind the anode plane is used to obtain the positional information. A 100% detection efficiency, a 40 ns (fwhm) time resolution and a spatial resolution better than 140 μm (fwhm) for both coordinates have been measured

Increased Expression of Autophagy-Related Genes in Alzheimer’s Disease—Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comorbidity Models in Cells

The association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been extensively demonstrated, but despite this, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying it are still unknown. In previous work, we discovered a central role for the autophagy pathway in the common alterations observed between AD and T2DM. In this study, we further investigate the role of genes belonging to this pathway, measuring their mRNA expression and protein levels in 3xTg-AD transgenic mice, an animal model of AD. Moreover, primary mouse cortical neurons derived from this model and the human H4Swe cell line were used as cellular models of insulin resistance in AD brains. Hippocampal mRNA expression showed significantly different levels for Atg16L1, Atg16L2, GabarapL1, GabarapL2, and Sqstm1 genes at different ages of 3xTg-AD mice. Significantly elevated expression of Atg16L1, Atg16L2, and GabarapL1 was also observed in H4Swe cell cultures, in the presence of insulin resistance. Gene expression analysis confirmed that Atg16L1 was significantly increased in cultures from transgenic mice when insulin resistance was induced. Taken together, these results emphasise the association of the autophagy pathway in AD-T2DM co-morbidity, providing new evidence about the pathophysiology of both diseases and their mutual interaction

Deriving Bisimulation Congruences: 2-categories vs precategories

G-relative pushouts (GRPOs) have recently been proposed by the authors as a new foundation for Leifer and Milner’s approach to deriving labelled bisimulation congruences from reduction systems. This paper develops the theory of GRPOs further, arguing that they provide a simple and powerful basis towards a comprehensive solution. As an example, we construct GRPOs in a category of ‘bunches and wirings.’ We then examine the approach based on Milner’s precategories and Leifer’s functorial reactive systems, and show that it can be recast in a much simpler way into the 2-categorical theory of GRPOs

The Role of IgLON Cell Adhesion Molecules in Neurodegenerative Diseases

In the brain, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are critical for neurite outgrowth, axonal fasciculation, neuronal survival and migration, and synapse formation and maintenance. Among CAMs, the IgLON family comprises five members: Opioid Binding Protein/Cell Adhesion Molecule Like (OPCML or OBCAM), Limbic System Associated Membrane Protein (LSAMP), neurotrimin (NTM), Neuronal Growth Regulator 1 (NEGR1), and IgLON5. IgLONs exhibit three N-terminal C2 immunoglobulin domains; several glycosylation sites; and a glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring to the membrane. Interactions as homo- or heterodimers in cis and in trans, as well as binding to other molecules, appear critical for their functions. Shedding by metalloproteases generates soluble factors interacting with cellular receptors and activating signal transduction. The aim of this review was to analyse the available data implicating a role for IgLONs in neuropsychiatric disorders. Starting from the identification of a pathological role for antibodies against IgLON5 in an autoimmune neurodegenerative disease with a poorly understood mechanism of action, accumulating evidence links IgLONs to neuropsychiatric disorders, albeit with still undefined mechanisms which will require future thorough investigations