Using Neural Networks to Model Conditional Multivariate Densities

How do multiple feature maps that coexist in the same region of cerebral cortex align with each other? We hypothesize that such alignment is governed by temporal correlations: features in one map that are temporally correlated with those in another come to occupy the same spatial locations in cortex over time. To examine the feasibility of this hypothesis and to establish some of its detailed implications, we studied a multilayered, closed-loop computational model of primary sensorimotor cortex. A simulated arm moving in three dimensions formed the external environment for the model cortical regions. Coexisting proprioceptive and motor maps formed and generally aligned in a fashion consistent with the temporal correlation hypothesis. For example, in simulated proprioceptive sensory cortex the map of elements responding strongly to stretch of a particular muscle matched the map of tension sensitivity in antagonist muscles. In simulated primary motor cortex the map of elements responding strongly to increased tension in specific muscles matched the map of output elements for the same muscles. These computational results suggest specific experimental measurements that can support or refute the temporal correlation hypothesis for map alignments

The pursuit of quality: a clinical directorate’s progress in clinical governance a case study of the women and children’s directorate, GUH (HSE)

The aim of the overall study is to inform the design and delivery of a high reliability clinical directorate. This report is the result of the mapping phase in the case study of the Women’s and Children’s Directorate, Galway University Hospitals. It describes the current approach and the hospital’s progress in providing a quality service. The policy context clarifies the external and internal influences affecting the present performance level of the Directorate. The enquiry uses a mixed-method strategy to generate quantitative, qualitative, and documentary evidence. The findings provide perceptions of dimensions of clinical governance, and describe the nature and effects of context as opportunities and constraints on performance. Documentary evidence represents the intended or espoused state of performance, as well as realisation in structure, process and outcomes. Key findings from each method are triangulated on the basis of the emergent qualitative categories. While each method provides its own data set, the combined set of evidence is indicative of the hospital’s theory in use as against its espoused theory. This provides a foundation for the next step, i.e. the reflective phase of the project

Mass Spectra and Yields of Intact Charged Biomolecules Ejected by Massive Cluster Impact for Bioimaging in a Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Microscope

Impacts of massive, highly charged glycerol clusters (≳10⁶ Da, ≳ ± 100 charges) have been used to eject intact charged molecules of peptides, lipids, and small proteins from pure solid samples, enabling imaging using these ion species in a time-of-flight secondary ion microscope with few-micrometer spatial resolution. Here, we report mass spectra and useful ion yields (ratio of intact charged molecules detected to molecules sputtered) for several molecular species–two peptides, bradykinin and angiotensin II; two lipids, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin; Irganox 1010 (a detergent); insulin; and rhodamine B–and show that useful ion yields are high enough to enable bioimaging of peptides and lipids in biological samples with few-micrometer resolution and acceptable signals. For example, several hundred molecular ion counts should be detectable from a 3 × 3 μm² area of a pure lipid bilayer given appropriate instrumentation or tens of counts from a minor constituent of such a layer

Propriétaire d'un coutre. Pas du tout fiché de la catastrophe : Les Travailleurs de la mer

Plume, encre brune et lavis (228 x 150 mn)Placé au début du chapitre « La perle au fond du précipice », cette caricature, proche de celles que dessinent alors Victor Hugo, notamment dans Théâtre de la Gaîté, incarne les réactions d'envieux à la nouvelle de la perte de la Durande : « On entendait ce mot : quel malheur ! Plusieurs visages souriaient. » (T. M., I, VII, I)téléchargeabl

MOESM3 of Using a genetic/clinical risk score to stop smoking (GeTSS): randomised controlled trial

Additional file 3: Appendix S3. Correction of confounding factors

MOESM4 of Using a genetic/clinical risk score to stop smoking (GeTSS): randomised controlled trial

Additional file 4: Appendix S4. Full data set for trial

Response data and questionnaires for PRAGMATIC - Patients' experiences of a suppoRted self-manAGeMent pAThway In breast Cancer

   PRAGMATIC Main Paper: “Patients’ experiences of a suppoRted self-manAGeMent pAThway In breast Cancer (PRAGMATIC): Quality of Life and Service Use Results” These data are csv files of responses from 110 patients together with tables and figures illustraing results. Patients entered  demographic details at baseline and completed five quality of life questionnaires and a service use questionnaire over 5 time points – baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The quality of life questionnaires were FACT-B, PRRS, GSE, GHQ-12 and EQ-5D-5L. Patients were offered the option of completing a paper questionnaire booklet or completing online at each time point. You can also view pdfs of the baseline questionnaire booklet and the three-month service use questionnaire.  Purpose: To describe trends and explore factors associated with quality of life (QoL) and psychological morbidity and assess Breast Cancer (BC) health service use over a 12-month period for patients joining the supported self-management (SSM) pathway.  Methods: Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months that measured QoL (FACT-B, EQ 5D-5L), self-efficacy (GSE), psychological morbidity (GHQ-12), roles and responsibilities (PRRS) and service use (cost diary).  Results: 99/110 patients completed all timepoints, 32% (35/110) had received chemotherapy. The chemotherapy group had poorer QoL; FACT-B total score mean differences were 8.53 (95% CI: 3.42 to 13.64), 5.38 (95% CI: 0.17 to 10.58) and 8.00 (95% CI: 2.76 to 13.24) at 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. The odds of psychological morbidity (GHQ12 >4) were 5.5-fold greater for those treated with chemotherapy. Financial and caring burdens (PRRS) were worse for this group (mean difference in change at 9 months 3.25 (95% CI: 0.42 to 6.07). GSE and GHQ-12 scores impacted FACT-B total scores, indicating QoL decline for those with high baseline psychological morbidity. Participants who had chemotherapy or high psychological morbidity or were unable to carry out normal activities and had highest service costs. Over the 12months 68.2% participants phoned/emailed breast care nurses, 53.3% visited a hospital breast clinician.  Conclusion: The SSM pathway was suitable for most patients, but those who had received chemotherapy and/or had heightened psychological morbidity may benefit from closer monitoring and/or supportive interventions. Reduced access due to Covid-19 could have affected service use</p

Ctenophora Phylogeny Datasets and Core Orthologs

Data matrices, models used with RAxML, and inferred trees. Unless otherwise noted, all trees were inferred with RAxML using partitioning schemes and models in the model file. <div><br></div><div>Figures for ancestral state reconstruction using a posterior distribution of trees to incorporate uncertainty in branch-length estimates are included. </div><div><br></div><div>Pictures of species we sampled that we were able to photograph before obtaining tissue are included.<br><div><br></div><div>Core orthologs, for use with hamstr, that were used for ctenophore-centric data creation are also provided</div></div

Developing a web-based patient decision aid for gastrostomy in motor neuron disease:a study protocol

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a progressive, incurable disease, characterised by degeneration of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Due to the multisystem effects of the disease, patients are faced with many complex, time-sensitive decisions, one of which is the decision on gastrostomy feeding. There are currently no published decision aids (DAs) to support patients making this decision in the UK. This study will develop and pilot a patient DA to provide evidence-based information on gastrostomy placement and feeding that is relevant to people with MND; communicate the risks and benefits associated with each option; check understanding and clarify personal values and preferences, enabling patients to make a decision congruent with their values and appropriate for them. Methods and analysis A two-phase process, observing the International Patient Decision Aid Standards, will be used to develop the DA, over 24 months starting January 2019. Phase 1 will use literature reviews and stakeholder interviews and surveys to identify essential content for the DA, and explore the best way to present this. In the second phase, a prototype DA will be developed and revised using stakeholder feedback in an iterative process. Stakeholders will include individuals with MND, their carers and the healthcare professionals working with them. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for the study has been granted by West of Scotland Research Ethics Service, reference 19/WS/0078. Study findings will be disseminated through academic and non-academic publications, conference presentations, stakeholder websites and social media. A feasibility study will follow to explore the acceptability and practicality of the DA for patients, carers and HCPs in practice and to assess whether the DA shows promise of being beneficial for the intended population

<i>In vitro</i> characterization of PLGA/RPV NPs in thermosensitive gel.

<p>(A) Scanning electron microscope image of PLGA/RPV nanoparticles. (B) RPV uptake by HeLa cells. Cells were incubated with 5 μg/ml RPV in solution or in the PLGA/RPV NP formulation. Intracellular RPV and RPV in medium were analyzed by HPLC (n = 3). (C) <i>In vitro</i> analysis of the inhibition of HIV infection by PLGA/ RPV NPs. TZM-bl HIV indicator cells were treated with the indicated concentrations of RPV solution or PLGA/RPV NPs. Cells were challenged with HIV-1_NLX 24 h after RPV treatment. Infection of cells was evaluated by ONE-Glo assay 48 h post infection (n = 3). Data were normalized to luminescence of untreated cells (100%); p = 0.0963.</p