Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural basis of perceptual learning : structural plasticity and noradrenergic control

The field of neuroscience has experienced explosive growth over the past decade toward understanding the neural correlates of perception. More specifically, the adult brain responds to environmental experience by significant functional and structural modifications, called "neural plasticity" which underlies learning. A main issue in neuroscience is to understand the cellular basis of perceptive plasticity and subsequent behavioral adaptations. Contrary to previously held beliefs about its static nature, the adult brain is in fact capable of generating new neurons that can integrate into its complex circuitry. The birth of new neurons constitutively occurs in two specific regions of the adult mammalian brain (OB and hippocampal dentate gyrus). Adult neurogenesis is a sophisticated biological process whose function has remained a mystery to neuroscience researchers but a role in learning and memory has been proposed. Previous work in our group have shown that perceptive olfactory learning depends on adult neurogenesis. In addition, neuromodulatory systems, including noradrenergic and cholinergic systems massively innervate the olfactory bulb and more specifically the inhibitory interneurons targeted by adult neurogenesis and are long-known for their role in learning and memory. One objective of the present work was to determine the spatial and temporal pattern of the innervation by noradrenergic and cholinergic inputs of developing adult-born neurons and to investigate its modulation by learning. For that purpose, we used behavioral and neuro-anatomical approaches. Another objective was to assess the functional role of centrifugal contacts using an optogenetic approach. Results indicate that the noradrenergic innervation is selectively increased on adult born neurons following perceptual olfactory learning, a phenomenon that was not observed for cholinergic innervation, pointing the noradrenergic system as a key mechanisms involved in perceptual learning. Interestingly, noradrenergic contacts on neurons born during ontogenesis were not affected by learning, suggesting a very specific part played by adult-born neuron in learning associated plasticity. In the same brains, we have analyzed the structural plasticity induced by learning in adult-born and pre-existing neurons. The major finding is that mirroring the increased number of noradrenergic contacts, learning induced an increase in dendritic spines on adult-born, but not on pre-existing neurons
Innovation of Neuropsychopharmacological Experimental Methods to Investigate Attention in Human Participants and Its Validation by Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial

In terms of advancement of life to meet the challenges new method for neuropsychopharmacological research are continually developing to ensure superior safety, accuracy, efficacy, precision etc. In this experiment, we suggested and validated two neuropsychopharmacological testing methods, these are Numeral Finding (NF) and Typo Revealing (TR) tests for the determination of attention in healthy aged human participants. The objective of this experiment was to generate more effective testing methods for the assessment of attention in human. The rationality of the aforementioned methods was checked by a randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial for the period of 21 days among healthy aged human participants. The experiment was conducted at Gazipur Sadar, Gazipur-1703, Dhaka, Bangladesh between the period of December 2015 and March 2016. The experiment center was the Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh. In this experiment, 60 healthy male participants between the age ranges of 40 to 50 years old were selected and randomly divided by simple randomization process into 3 groups with 20 participants in each. Ginkgo biloba standardized extract’s capsule (Giloba? and Kobi? ) was used as a standard and as a placebo control psyllium seed husk (i.e., seed of the Plantago ovata) was used after filling in the hard gelatin capsule shell (size 0). Group 1 was treated with Giloba? in which each capsule contained 120 mg Ginkgo biloba standardized extract (GBG) and group 2 was treated with Kobi? in which each capsule contained 60 mg Ginkgo biloba standardized extract (GBK). The treatment procedure for group 3 was psyllium seed husk’s capsule that served as placebo control (PC). Throughout the experiment each capsule was administered 3 times daily. Treatment with Ginkgo biloba standardized extracts for successive days markedly increased the attention of the participants with respect to PC group. In the NF test, administration of GBG and GBK extracts significantly (P < 0.05, P < 0.01; P < 0.01) increased the attention of the participants on 14th and 21st day as compared to that of PC group. For TR test treatment with GBG and GBK extracts markedly (P < 0.01; P < 0.001, P < 0.01) increased the attention of the participants on 14th and 21st day with respect to PC group. The existing experiment proved that NF and TR tests undoubtedly revealed the attention enhancing activity of the Ginkgo biloba standardized extracts in healthy aged human participants. Consequently, the recommended newly emerging methods can be used for the assessment of attention in human and will create a miracle in the domain of neuroscience.
The Association of Cortisol Stress Response with Early Adversity and Diabetes Control in Adolescents with Diabetes

1.1 Objectives: The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis has been implicated in the relationship between increased stress and poor diabetes control in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The objectives of this study were two-fold: (1) To evaluate the effectiveness of the Trier Social Stress Test for Children (TSST-C) in inducing psychosocial stress in children with T1DM; (2) To investigate predictors of the cortisol stress response to the TSST-C. 1.2 Methods: Seventeen adolescents with T1DM were exposed to the TSST-C. Salivary cortisol was sampled pre-TSST-C and at six 10-minute intervals following the stress procedure. Measures of anxiety, depression, family functioning and early adversity were completed. 1.3 Results: The TSST-C induced a significant increase in cortisol response (p<.01). Early adversity predicted cortisol response to the stressor (p=.01). Early adversity was also associated with poorer diabetes control (p=.05). 1.4 Conclusion: The TSST-C was effective in producing a stress response in children with diabetes. Whereas previous research has emphasized psychological pathways which contribute to the relationship between psychosocial stressors and poor diabetes control, this study suggests that biological dysfunction may also underlie the association.
Presowing Seed Treatments Affect Germination and Quality of Rootstock in Indian Ber ( Zizyphus mauritiana Lam.)

The effect of different pre-sowing seed treatments and sowing dates on germination and rootstock quality of ber was assessed to standardize a combination which could yield optimum germination and quality rootstock. Of the fourteen pre-sowing treatments, highest seed germination and best seedling growth was obtained in T 10 x D 2 (seed soaking in water for 48 hours followed by 6 days storage in moist gunny bags x sowing on 15 th April) and T 13 (seed soaking in water for 72 hours followed by 6 days storage in moist gunny bags x sowing on 15 th April).
Advanced Classification Lists (Dirty Word Lists) for Automatic Security Classification

With the increasing risk of data leakage, information guards have emerged as a novel concept in the field of security which bears similarity to spam filter that examine the content of the exchanged messages. A guard is defined as a high-assurance device used to control the information flow, typically from a domain with a "high" level of confidentiality, such as a corporate or military network, to a domain with a "low" level, such as the Internet or a network of a subcontractor. It often uses simple classification lists (a.k.a. "Dirty Word Lists") to automatically assess the security classification (e.g. "Public" vs. "Confidential") of information objects, such as documents or text messages. The object is released into the "low" domain, only if the policy allows for information objects of that classification level to be released. Otherwise, it will be blocked and possibly quarantined for human inspection and intervention. The classification lists today are usually simple and configured manually. This paper demonstrates the use of machine learning to create more advanced classification lists automatically. A major obstacle for machine learning to be used is that they would create long lists that are difficult to inspect, analyze and control by humans. In addition, some of the most efficient machine learning techniques, particularly SVM and Neural Networks, are "black-box" classifiers, meaning that they do not posses an explanatory nature. In this paper, we explore the use of massive/strict dimensionality reduction in order to create a sparse solution that results in a brief classification list that is easier for humans to analyze.
Discovery of high-amplitude X-ray variability in the Seyfert-LINER transition galaxy NGC 7589

We present the first result of a programme to search for large flux variations in the X-ray sources of the XMM Serendipitous Survey compared to previous ROSAT observations. An increase in X-ray flux by a factor >10 was discovered from the nucleus of the galaxy NGC 7589 on a time-scale of less than 5 yr. The 0.4-10 keV XMM spectrum can be approximated by a power law with photon index of 1.7-1.8, though it seems to flatten above 5 keV, suggesting a possible complex model, such as partial covering or disc reflection. A classification based on an analysis of its optical spectrum places NGC 7589 in the Seyfert region, but close to the Seyfert-LINER (low-ionization nuclear emission-line region) borderline on the active galactic nucleus (AGN) diagnostic diagrams. We classify NGC 7589 as either Seyfert 1.9 or LINER I, in the light of the detection of a broad Ha line, which makes NGC 7589 an AGN in the low-luminosity regime. We interpret the observed variability in terms of either changes in covering factor of absorbing gas in the AGN, or variability in the intrinsic X-ray luminosity. Should the latter be the case, the inferred Eddington accretion rate increased from the radiatively inefficient accretion-dominated regime to a value close to the putative critical value, at which a transition of the accretion mode is supposed to take place. This possibility presents a new prospect of studying accretion physics in the central black holes of external galaxies by direct observing changes of 'spectral state', as is common in stellar black hole binary systems.
Culture-Dependent Assimilation and Differentiation of the Self

In two studies, we investigate how differences in self-construal patterns affect preferences for consumption symbols through the process of self-expression. The results of Study 1 demonstrate that individuals with a dominant independent self-construal hold attitudes that allow them to express that they are distinct from others. In contrast, individuals with a dominant interdependent self-construal are more likely to hold attitudes that demonstrate points of similarity with their peers. Study 2 provides additional evidence for the mechanism presumed to underlie the results by identifying differential schematic processes as the driver of expressed preferences. We find that differential levels of recall for similar and distinct items exist across culturally-encouraged selves, documenting higher recall for schema-inconsistent information. We discuss the results and encourage future research that expands the framework to group decisions and social preferences.
Emulsion Mapping in Pork Meat Emulsion Systems with Various Lipid Types and Brown Rice Fiber

This study was conducted to evaluate emulsion mapping between emulsion stability and cooking yields, apparent viscosity, and hardness of reduced-fat pork emulsion systems. The reduced-fat emulsion systems were supplemented with different lipid types and brown rice bran fiber (BRF) concentrations. Compared to the control with 30% back fat, lower emulsion stability and higher cooking yield of meat emulsion systems were observed in T1 (30% back fat+1% BRF), T2 (30% back fat+2% BRF), T3 (30% back fat+3% BRF), T4 (30% back fat+6% BRF), and T15 (10% back fat+10% canola oil+2% BRF). Lower emulsion stability and higher apparent viscosity were observed in T1, T2, T3, T4, and T8 (20% back fat+3% BRF) compared to the control. Lower emulsion stability and higher hardness was detected in all treatments compared with the control, except T5 (20% back fat), T10 (10% back fat+10% canola oil+2% BRF), T11 (10% back fat+10% olive oil+2% BRF), T12 (10% back fat+10% grape seed oil+2% BRF), and T13 (10% back fat+10% soybean oil+2% BRF). This approach has been found particularly useful for highlighting differences among the emulsified properties in emulsion meat products. Thus, the results obtained with emulsion mapping are useful in making emulsified meat products of desired quality characteristics, partially replacing pork back fat with a mix of 10% back fat, 10% canola oil and 2% BRF was most similar to the control with 30% pork back fat.
Episodic and semantic knowledge in emotional self-report: evidence for two judgment processes.

Three studies involving 3 participant samples (Ns = 39, 55, and 53) tested the hypothesis that people retrieve episodic emotion knowledge when reporting on their emotions over short (e.g., last few hours) time frames, but that they retrieve semantic emotion knowledge when reporting on their emotions over long (e.g., last few months) time frames. Support for 2 distinct judgment strategies was based on judgment latencies (Studies 1 and 2) and priming paradigms (Studies 2 and 3). The authors suggest that self-reports of emotion over short versus long time frames assess qualitatively different sources of self-knowledge.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE FROM THE BOTTOM UP : HOW RELATIONAL SCHEMAS SHAPE THE EMERGENCE OF INFORMAL LEADERSHIP STRUCTURES

In an attempt to shed light on the micro-foundations of social structure, we examine how relational schemas impact the emergence of leadership hierarchies within informal groups. Relational schemas provide the cognitive models through which social structures are represented and encoded in the minds of individuals, as well as enacted in actual social interactions. Elaborating on this argument, we suggest that individuals employ relational schemas to assess whether their leadership perceptions are consistent with the broader leadership structure that is emerging around them. We further hypothesize that whenever inconsistencies arise, individuals are induced to minimize them by realigning their own leadership perceptions to the relevant schemas. We test the implications of this argument using a multi-method, multi-study approach. Study 1 captures the effects of relational schemas on the evolution of leadership relations in the context of two naturally occurring informal groups. Study 2 uses a set of vignette experiments to directly test whether relational schemas shape people’s cognitive representations of leadership. An important contribution of the paper is that it illuminates how, through a micro-level process of social cognition, an orderly leadership structure may emerge at the group level.
Cadmium induces apoptosis in primary rat osteoblasts through caspase and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways

Exposure to cadmium (Cd) induces apoptosis in osteoblasts (OBs); however, little information is available regarding the specific mechanisms of Cd-induced primary rat OB apoptosis. In this study, Cd reduced cell viability, damaged cell membranes and induced apoptosis in OBs. We observed decreased mitochondrial transmembrane potentials, ultrastructure collapse, enhanced caspase-3 activity, and increased concentrations of cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9 and cleaved caspase-3 following Cd treatment. Cd also increased the phosphorylation of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in OBs. Pretreatment with the caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, ERK1/2 inhibitor (U0126), p38 inhibitor (SB203580) and JNK inhibitor (SP600125) abrogated Cd-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Cd-treated OBs exhibited signs of oxidative stress protection, including increased antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase levels and decreased formation of reactive oxygen species. Taken together, the results of our study clarified that Cd has direct cytotoxic effects on OBs, which are mediated by caspase- and MAPK pathways in Cd-induced apoptosis of OBs.
Assessment Capacity Building at a Research University

Higher education institutions use program‐level learning outcomes assessment to improve programs, enhance student learning, and meet external requirements. An assessment office at a research university used a variety of evaluation capacity‐building (ECB) activities to increase faculty and administrators’ engagement in assessment and use of findings for program improvement. To investigate six desired ECB outcomes, the author analyzed survey responses and program assessment reports (2008–2014). The findings showed success in four ECB outcomes: positive attitudes toward assessment, motivation to engage, knowledge and skills, and department climate. However, two outcomes fell below expectations: department resources and use of findings. A correlation study revealed several significant, positive relationships between outcomes and faculty engagement with the strongest relationship being between level of faculty assessment experience and knowledge and skills. Because use of findings for program improvement and better student learning are primary assessment purposes, these results are valuable for campus planning of future capacity‐building activities. New ECB efforts that focus on faculty capacity to discuss assessment with colleagues, department resources, and most important, ways to use assessment findings are planned.
Time and context effects after discrimination reversal in human beings

Two experiments were conducted using a discrimination reversal task in human beings with the aim of exploring the effects of time and context upon retrieval of a discrimination (S: C1+, C2-) that had been previously reversed (S: C1-, C2+). In Experiment 1, a 48-hr retention interval after reversal training led to spontaneous recovery of the original discrimination during the test. In Experiment 2, changing the context between reversal training and testing led to renewal of the original discrimination, independently of whether the context change involved returning to the acquisition context (121 renewal) or going to a different context (112 renewal). These results are in agreement with the predictions of Bouton's retrieval theory (Bouton, 1993).
Effi cient Sovereign Default

Sovereign debt crises are associated with severe output and consumption losses for the debtor country and with reductions in payments for the creditors. Moreover, such crises are accompanied by trade disruptions that lead to a sharp fall in the imports of intermediate inputs. Here I study the effi cient risk-sharing arrangement between a sovereign borrower and foreign lenders in a production economy where the sovereign government cannot commit and has some private information. I show that the ex-ante effi cient arrangement involves outcomes that resemble sovereign default episodes in the data. These outcomes are ex-post ineffi cient, in the sense that if the borrower and the lenders could renegotiate the terms of their agreement, committing not to do it again in the future, then both could be made better off. The resulting effi cient allocations can be implemented with non-contingent defaultable bonds and active maturity management. Defaults and periods of temporary exclusion from international credit markets happen along the equilibrium path and are essential to supporting the effi cient allocation. Furthermore, as in the data, interest rate spreads increase and the maturity composition of debt shifts toward short-term debt as the indebtedness of the sovereign borrower increases. * I am indebted to V.V. Chari, Patrick Kehoe and Larry Jones for valuable advice. I want to thank Manuel Amador, Andy Atkeson, and Pablo Kurlat for very insightful discussions. I also would like to thank Cristina Arellano, Philip Bond, Wyatt Brooks, Erzo Luttmer, Ellen McGrattan, Chris Phelan, Ali Shourideh, Andrea Waddle, Ivan Werning, Pierre Yared and Ariel Zetlin-Jones for their useful comments. I acknowledge the financial support of the Hutcheson Fellowship from the Economics Department of the University of Minnesota. The usual disclaimers apply. For the latest updates see: http://www.econ.umn.edu/~dovis001.
A Theoretical Framework for Research on Gender/Women Issues in the Maghrib and North Africa

The argument I make in this paper may expressed in the following way: gender and women’s issues in the Mahgrib and North Africa are closely linked to sources of power and authority in the region. As such they cannot be based on theories that are divorced from specific sociocultural contexts that create and maintain power and authority in the region. A most powerful source of power and authority is a specific type of patriarchy that is based on space segregation, with public space being culturally conceived as male, and private space as female. Recent history has shown that to get their public rights, women needed to be supported by democratic men who had access to public space: hense the tension is not women vs men but women and men vs patriarchal oppression. Arab-Muslim patriarchy created secondary sources of power and authority: a specific history, a specific way of dealing with religion, a specific use of languages, a specific family organization. All these are closely related and interactive. On the basis of this we may say that on the one hand, an understanding of gender perception, gender role assignment, and gender subversion can be achieved only within a given socio-cultural context; and on the other hand, only a polyvalent and dynamic approach to the real workings and functioning of these sources can inform us. In order words we need
Estimating speaker characteristics for speech recognition

A speaker-characteristic-based hierarchic tree of speech recognition models is designed. The leaves of the tree contain model sets, which are created by transforming a conventionally trained set using leaf-specific speaker profile vectors. The non-leaf models are formed by merging the models of their child nodes. During recognition, a maximum likelihood criterion is followed to traverse the tree from the root to a leaf. The computational load for estimating one- (vocal tract length) and fourdimensional speaker profile vectors (vocal tract length, two spectral slope parameters and model variance scaling) is reduced to a fraction compared to that of an exhaustive search among all leaf nodes. Recognition experiments on children’s connected digits using adult models exhibit similar recognition performance for the exhaustive and the one-dimensional tree search. Further error reduction is achieved with the four-dimensional tree. The estimated speaker properties are analyzed and discussed.