Neuroevolution gives rise to more focused information transfer compared to backpropagation in recurrent neural networks.

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are one of the most promising tools in the quest to develop general artificial intelligence. Their design was inspired by how neurons in natural brains connect and process, the only other substrate to harbor intelligence. Compared to biological brains that are sparsely connected and that form sparsely distributed representations, ANNs instead process information by connecting all nodes of one layer to all nodes of the next.

Day-to-day variability in sleep and activity predict the onset of a hypomanic episode in patients with bipolar disorder.

Detecting transitions in bipolar disorder (BD) is essential for implementing early interventions. Our aim was to identify the earliest indicator(s) of the onset of a hypomanic episode in BD. We hypothesized that objective changes in sleep would be the earliest indicator of a new hypomanic or manic episode.

The Role of Pleiotropy and Epistasis on Evolvability and Robustness in a Two-Peak Fitness Landscape.

Understanding the balance between robustness and evolvability is crucial in evolutionary dynamics. This study aims to determine how varying mutation rates and valley depths affect this interplay during adaptation. Using a two-peak fitness landscape model requiring populations to cross a fitness valley to reach a higher peak, we investigate how mutation rates and valley depths influence both evolvability-the capacity to generate beneficial mutations-and mutational robustness, which stabilizes populations at the highest peak.

Not missing at random: Missing data are associated with clinical status and trajectories in an electronic monitoring longitudinal study of bipolar disorder.

There is limited information on the association between participants' clinical status or trajectories and missing data in electronic monitoring studies of bipolar disorder (BD). We collected self-ratings scales and sensor data in 145 adults with BD. Using a new metric, Missing Data Ratio (MDR), we assessed missing self-rating data and sensor data monitoring activity and sleep.

Reducing Epistasis and Pleiotropy Can Avoid the Survival of the Flattest Tragedy.

This study investigates whether reducing epistasis and pleiotropy enhances mutational robustness in evolutionary adaptation, utilizing an indirect encoded model within the "survival of the flattest" (SoF) fitness landscape. By simulating genetic variations and their phenotypic consequences, we explore organisms' adaptive mechanisms to maintain positions on higher, narrower evolutionary peaks amidst environmental and genetic pressures. Our results reveal that organisms can indeed sustain their advantageous positions by minimizing the complexity of genetic interactions-specifically, by reducing the levels of epistasis and pleiotropy.

Developmental changes of the mitochondria in the murine anteroventral cochlear nucleus.

Mitochondria are key organelles to provide ATP for synaptic transmission. This study aims to unravel the structural adaptation of mitochondria to an increase in presynaptic energy demand and upon the functional impairment of the auditory system. We use the anteroventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) of wild-type and congenital deaf mice before and after hearing onset as a model system for presynaptic states of lower and higher energy demands.

Robustness of Sparsely Distributed Representations to Adversarial Attacks in Deep Neural Networks.

Deep learning models have achieved an impressive performance in a variety of tasks, but they often suffer from overfitting and are vulnerable to adversarial attacks. Previous research has shown that dropout regularization is an effective technique that can improve model generalization and robustness. In this study, we investigate the impact of dropout regularization on the ability of neural networks to withstand adversarial attacks, as well as the degree of "functional smearing" between individual neurons in the network.

Detecting Information Relays in Deep Neural Networks.

Deep learning of artificial neural networks (ANNs) is creating highly functional processes that are, unfortunately, nearly as hard to interpret as their biological counterparts. Identification of functional modules in natural brains plays an important role in cognitive and neuroscience alike, and can be carried out using a wide range of technologies such as fMRI, EEG/ERP, MEG, or calcium imaging. However, we do not have such robust methods at our disposal when it comes to understanding functional modules in artificial neural networks.

Clinical significance of measuring hepatic venous pressure gradient on transjugular liver biopsy for patients with pre-cirrhotic bridging fibrosis liver disease.

Purpose: To demonstrate that patients with pre-cirrhotic bridging fibrosis (Meta-analysis of Histological Data in Viral Hepatitis, METAVIR stage F3) and clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH, Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient ≥10 mmHg) experience a higher rate of clinical decompensation than patients without CSPH.

Materials And Methods: 128 consecutive patients with pathology proven bridging fibrosis without cirrhosis between 2012 and 2019 were reviewed. Inclusion criteria were patients with HVPG measurement obtained during the same outpatient transjugular liver biopsy and clinical follow up of at least two years.

Understanding Memories of the Past in the Context of Different Complex Neural Network Architectures.

Deep learning (primarily using backpropagation) and neuroevolution are the preeminent methods of optimizing artificial neural networks. However, they often create black boxes that are as hard to understand as the natural brains they seek to mimic. Previous work has identified an information-theoretic tool, referred to as R, which allows us to quantify and identify mental representations in artificial cognitive systems.

RIM-Binding Protein 2 Organizes Ca Channel Topography and Regulates Release Probability and Vesicle Replenishment at a Fast Central Synapse.

Rab-interacting molecule (RIM)-binding protein 2 (BP2) is a multidomain protein of the presynaptic active zone (AZ). By binding to RIM, bassoon (Bsn), and voltage-gated Ca channels (Ca), it is considered to be a central organizer of the topography of Ca and release sites of synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the AZ. Here, we used RIM-BP2 knock-out (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates of either sex to investigate the role of RIM-BP2 at the endbulb of Held synapse of auditory nerve fibers (ANFs) with bushy cells (BCs) of the cochlear nucleus, a fast relay of the auditory pathway with high release probability.

Comparative Transcriptomics Reveals Distinct Patterns of Gene Expression Conservation through Vertebrate Embryogenesis.

Despite life's diversity, studies of variation often remind us of our shared evolutionary past. Abundant genome sequencing and analyses of gene regulatory networks illustrate that genes and entire pathways are conserved, reused, and elaborated in the evolution of diversity. Predating these discoveries, 19th-century embryologists observed that though morphology at birth varies tremendously, certain stages of vertebrate embryogenesis appear remarkably similar across vertebrates.

Ultrastructural maturation of the endbulb of Held active zones comparing wild-type and otoferlin-deficient mice.

Endbulbs of Held are located in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus and present the first central synapses of the auditory pathway. During development, endbulbs mature functionally to enable rapid and powerful synaptic transmission with high temporal precision. This process is accompanied by morphological changes of endbulb terminals.

Early High-Titer Plasma Therapy to Prevent Severe Covid-19 in Older Adults.

Background: Therapies to interrupt the progression of early coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) remain elusive. Among them, convalescent plasma administered to hospitalized patients has been unsuccessful, perhaps because antibodies should be administered earlier in the course of illness.

Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of convalescent plasma with high IgG titers against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in older adult patients within 72 hours after the onset of mild Covid-19 symptoms.

Inclusive groups can avoid the tragedy of the commons.

The public goods game is a famous example illustrating the tragedy of the commons (Hardin in Science 162:1243-1248, 1968). In this game cooperating individuals contribute to a pool, which in turn is distributed to all members of the group, including defectors who reap the same rewards as cooperators without having made a contribution before. The question is now, how to incentivize group members to all cooperate as it maximizes the common good.

Stroke Characteristics and Outcomes of Adult Patients in Northwest Ethiopia.

Stroke is becoming one of the leading causes of adult disability and death in sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of the present study is to provide an up-to-date account of the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients with stroke admitted to the University of Gondar College of Medicine and Health Science Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (CMHS). A hospital based retrospective study design was used to analyze the medical records of all patients with stroke admitted to CMHS from June 20th 2012 and April 30th 2018.

The mPOWERED Electronic Learning System for Intimate Partner Violence Education: Mixed Methods Usability Study.

Background: Nurse practitioners are a common resource for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) presenting to health care settings. However, they often have inadequate knowledge about IPV and lack self-efficacy and confidence to be able to screen for IPV and communicate effectively with patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop and test the usability of a blended learning system aimed at educating nurse practitioner students on topics related to IPV (ie, the mPOWERED system [Health Equity Institute]).

Developing an mHealth app for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation: Feedback from US and Ethiopian rehabilitation clinicians.

Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability worldwide, with 70 percent of survivors exhibiting residual impairments of the upper limb that require frequent in-person visits to rehabilitation clinic over several months. This study explored rehabilitation clinician's preferences for design features to be included in an mHealth-enabled app for post-stroke upper limb rehabilitation. Data were collected via online survey, sampling participants from Ethiopia ( = 69) and the United States ( = 75).

Open-Endedness for the Sake of Open-Endedness.

Natural evolution keeps inventing new complex and intricate forms and behaviors. Digital evolution and genetic algorithms fail to create the same kind of complexity, not just because we still lack the computational resources to rival nature, but because (it has been argued) we have not understood in principle how to create open-ended evolving systems. Much effort has been made to define such open-endedness so as to create forms of increasing complexity indefinitely.

The Evolution of Neuroplasticity and the Effect on Integrated Information.

Information integration theory has been developed to quantify consciousness. Since conscious thought requires the integration of information, the degree of this integration can be used as a neural correlate (Φ) with the intent to measure degree of consciousness. Previous research has shown that the ability to integrate information can be improved by Darwinian evolution.

Thirty-day Readmission Rates for Carotid Endarterectomy Versus Carotid Artery Stenting.

Background: Because of the emergence of readmission-related Medicare penalties, efforts are being made to identify and reduce patient readmissions. The purpose of this study was to compare rates and risk factors for 30-d readmission and hospital length of stay (LOS) after carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) among patients treated for carotid artery stenosis in Pennsylvania.

Materials And Methods: Data were from the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4).

Thermodynamics of evolutionary games.

How cooperation can evolve between players is an unsolved problem of biology. Here we use Hamiltonian dynamics of models of the Ising type to describe populations of cooperating and defecting players to show that the equilibrium fraction of cooperators is given by the expectation value of a thermal observable akin to a magnetization. We apply the formalism to the public goods game with three players and show that a phase transition between cooperation and defection occurs that is equivalent to a transition in one-dimensional Ising crystals with long-range interactions.