Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Activation of Midbrain and Ventral Striatal Regions Implicates Salience Processing during a Modified Beads Task

Introduction Metacognition, i.e. critically reflecting on and monitoring one’s own reasoning, has been linked behaviorally to the emergence of delusions and is a focus of cognitive therapy in patients with schizophrenia. However, little is known about the neural processing underlying metacognitive function. To address this issue, we studied brain activity during a modified beads task which has been used to measure a “Jumping to Conclusions” (JTC) bias in schizophrenia patients. Methods We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify neural systems active in twenty-five healthy subjects when solving a modified version of the “beads task”, which requires a probabilistic decision after a variable amount of data has been requested by the participants. We assessed brain activation over the duration of a trial and at the time point of decision making. Results Analysis of activation during the whole process of probabilistic reasoning showed an extended network including the prefronto-parietal executive functioning network as well as medial parieto-occipital regions. During the decision process alone, activity in midbrain and ventral striatum was detected, as well as in thalamus, medial occipital cortex and anterior insula. Conclusions Our data show that probabilistic reasoning shares neural substrates with executive functions. In addition, our finding that brain regions commonly associated with salience processing are active during probabilistic reasoning identifies a candidate mechanism that could underlie the behavioral link between dopamine-dependent aberrant salience and JTC in schizophrenia. Further studies with delusional schizophrenia patients will have to be performed to substantiate this link.
Persistent Behavioral Sensitization to Chronic l-DOPA Requires A2A Adenosine Receptors

To investigate the role of A2A adenosine receptors in adaptive responses to chronic intermittent dopamine receptor stimulation, we compared the behavioral sensitization elicited by repeated l-DOPA treatment in hemiparkinsonian wild-type (WT) and A2A adenosine receptor knock-out (A2AKO) mice. Although the unilateral nigrostriatal lesion produced by intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine was indistinguishable between WT and A2A KO mice, they developed strikingly different patterns of behavioral sensitization after daily treatment with low doses of l-DOPA for 3 weeks. WT mice initially displayed modest contralateral rotational responses and then developed progressively greater responses that reached a maximum within 1 week and persisted for the duration of the treatment. In contrast, any rotational behavioral sensitization in A2A KO mice was transient and completely reversed within 2 weeks. Similarly, the time to reach the peak rotation was progressively shortened in WT mice but remained unchanged in A2A KO mice. Furthermore, dailyl-DOPA treatment produced gradually sensitized grooming in WT mice but failed to induce any sensitized grooming in A2AKO mice. Finally, repeated l-DOPA treatment reversed the 6-OHDA-induced reduction of striatal dynorphin mRNA in WT but not A2A KO mice, raising the possibility that the A2A receptor may contribute to l-DOPA-induced behavioral sensitization by facilitating adaptations within the dynorphin-expressing striatonigral pathway. Together these results demonstrate that the A2A receptor plays a critical role in the development and particularly the persistence of behavioral sensitization to repeated l-DOPA treatment. Furthermore, they raise the possibility that the maladaptive dyskinetic responses to chronic l-DOPA treatment in Parkinson's disease may be attenuated by A2A receptor inactivation.
Delirium and High Fever Are Associated with Subacute Motor Deterioration in Parkinson Disease: A Nested Case-Control Study

Background In Parkinson disease (PD), systemic inflammation caused by respiratory infections such as pneumonia frequently occurs, often resulting in delirium in the advanced stages of this disease. Delirium can lead to cognitive and functional decline, institutionalization, and mortality, especially in the elderly. Inflammation causes rapid worsening of PD motor symptoms and signs, sometimes irreversibly in some, but not all, patients. Purpose To identify factors associated with subacute motor deterioration in PD patients with systemic inflammation. Methods The association of clinical factors with subacute motor deterioration was analyzed by a case-control study. Subacute motor deterioration was defined as sustained worsening by one or more modified Hoehn and Yahr (H–Y) stages. Using multivariable logistic regression incorporating baseline characteristics (age, sex, PD duration, modified H–Y stage, dementia, and psychosis history) and statistically selected possible predictors (peak body temperature, duration of leukocytosis, and presence of delirium), the odds ratios for these factors were estimated as relative risks. Results Of 80 PD patients with systemic inflammation, 26 with associated subacute motor deterioration were designated as cases and the remainder as controls. In the 26 cases, 6 months after its onset the motor deterioration had persisted in 19 patients and resolved in four (three were lost for follow-up). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that delirium and body temperature are significantly associated with motor deterioration after systemic inflammation (P = 0.001 for delirium and P = 0.026 for body temperature), the adjusted odds ratios being 15.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.23–78.14) and 2.78 (95% CI: 1.13–6.83), respectively. Conclusions In patients with PD and systemic inflammation, delirium and high body temperature are strong risk factors for subsequent subacute motor deterioration and such deterioration can persist for over 6 months.
Estimating the daytime Equatorial Ionization Anomaly strength from electric field proxies

[1] The Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) is a significant feature of the low-latitude ionosphere. During daytime, the eastward electric field drives a vertical plasma fountain at the magnetic equator creating the EIA. Since the eastward electric field is also the driving force for the Equatorial Electrojet (EEJ), the latter is positively correlated with the EIA strength. We investigate the correlation between the zonal electric field and the EIA in the Peruvian sector and compare the results with correlations of the EEJ versus EIA strength. Analyzing 5 years of Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) electron density measurements, plasma drift readings from the Jicamarca Unattended Long-term Investigations of the Ionosphere and Atmosphere (JULIA) radar, and magnetic field observations at Huancayo and Piura, we find the EEJ strength and the zonal electric field to be suitable proxies for the EIA intensity. Both analyses reveal high correlation coefficients of cc > 0.8. A typical response time of the EIA to variations in the zonal electric field is ∼1–2 h, and it is ∼2–4 h after EEJ strength variations. Quantitative expressions are provided, which directly relate the EIA parameters to both proxies. From these relations, we infer that an EIA develops also during weak Counter Electrojets (CEJs), but no EIA forms when the vertical plasma drift is zero. For positive EEJ magnetic signatures to form, a minimum eastward electric field of 0.2 mV/m is required on average. The above-mentioned delay between EIA and EEJ variations of ∼3 h is further confirmed by the investigation of the EIA response to transitions from CEJ to EEJ, e.g., during late morning hours.
Supervisor-Subordinate Communication

The authors provide nine propositions regarding the function and effects of supervisor-subordinate communication to encourage business communication researchers to go beyond a unidimensional view of this workplace relationship. Taken together, these propositions represent an argument that connects and clarifies the associations between micro-level supervisor-subordinate communication behaviors and macro-level organizational learning. We explain how command structures produce relational contexts that create consequences for communication behaviors between subordinates and their supervisors. Specifically, we explain how subordinates’ reluctance to disagree with supervisors results in silence or equivocation—what the authors label the hierarchical mum effect. In turn, we describe how this organizational suppression of dissent produces a barrier to organizational learning and adaptation.
The Impact of Foreign Aid on Economic Growth: Volatility of Disbursements and Distribution of Receipts

This paper is concerned with the effects of aid transfers and their degree of volatility on economic growth. We develop a theoretical framework that distinguishes the allocation of foreign aid between productive and nonproductive uses. On the one hand, devoting aid inflows into productive public spending promotes growth while the related volatility has a damaging effect. On the other hand, the non-productive use of aid transfers has an adverse effect on growth while their volatility is growth-enhancing. The theoretical implications are supported by an empirical specification, formulated on similar grounds, for a panel of 74 aid-recipient countries over the time period from 1972 to 1998. The empirical results are found to be robust in a variety of sensitivity tests.
The Detection of Bright Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars in the Nearby Elliptical Galaxy Maffei 1

We have used the adaptive optics system on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope to study a field 6' from the center of the heavily obscured elliptical galaxy Maffei 1. Our near diffraction-limited H and K′ images reveal an excess population of objects with respect to a background field, and we conclude that the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) tip in Maffei 1 occurs at K = 20 ± 0.25. Assuming that stars at the AGB tip in Maffei 1 have the same intrinsic luminosity as those in the bulge of M31, then the actual distance modulus of Maffei 1 is 28.2 ± 0.3 if AV = 5.1, which corresponds to a distance of 4.4 Mpc. This is in excellent agreement with the distance estimated from surface brightness fluctuations in the infrared and confirms that Maffei 1 is too distant to affect the dynamics of the Local Group significantly.
A Data-Driven Approach To Newsvendor Problems

We propose an approach to the classical newsvendor problem and its extensions subject to uncertain demand that: (a) works directly with data, i.e., combines historical data and optimization in a single framework, (b) yields robust solutions and incorporates risk preferences using one scalar parameter, rather than utility functions, (c) allows for tractable formulations, specifically, linear programming problems, and (d) leads to closed-form solutions based on the ranking of the historical demands, which provide key insights into the role of the cost parameters. Numerical results are very encouraging.
Genomic Analysis of Storage Protein Deficiency in Genetically Related Lines of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris)

A series of genetically related lines of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) integrate a progressive deficiency in major storage proteins, the 7S globulin phaseolin and lectins. SARC1 integrates a lectin-like protein, arcelin-1 from a wild common bean accession. SMARC1N-PN1 is deficient in major lectins, including erythroagglutinating phytohemagglutinin (PHA-E) but not α-amylase inhibitor, and incorporates also a deficiency in phaseolin. SMARC1-PN1 is intermediate and shares the phaseolin deficiency. Sanilac is the parental background. To understand the genomic basis for variations in protein profiles previously determined by proteomics, the genotypes were submitted to short-fragment genome sequencing using an Illumina HiSeq 2000/2500 platform. Reads were aligned to reference sequences and subjected to de novo assembly. The results of the analyses identified polymorphisms responsible for the lack of specific storage proteins, as well as those associated with large differences in storage protein expression. SMARC1N-PN1 lacks the lectin genes pha-E and lec4-B17, and has the pseudogene pdlec1 in place of the functional pha-L gene. While the α-phaseolin gene appears absent, an approximately 20-fold decrease in β-phaseolin accumulation is associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism converting a G-box to an ACGT motif in the proximal promoter. Among residual lectins compensating for storage protein deficiency, mannose lectin FRIL and α-amylase inhibitor 1 genes are uniquely present in SMARC1N-PN1. An approximately 50-fold increase in α-amylase inhibitor like protein accumulation is associated with multiple polymorphisms introducing up to eight potential positive cis-regulatory elements in the proximal promoter specific to SMARC1N-PN1. An approximately 7-fold increase in accumulation of 11S globulin legumin is not associated with variation in proximal promoter sequence, suggesting that the identity of individual proteins involved in proteome rebalancing might also be determined at the translational level.
Abdominal Symptoms and Incident Gallstones in a Population Unaware of Gallstone Status

Introduction. Symptoms associated with newly formed gallstones have never been studied in a population unaware of their gallstones. The objective of this population-based cohort study was to determine which debut of abdominal symptoms was associated with newly formed gallstones. Materials and Methods. A cohort study was performed of a random sample from general population of Copenhagen. Participants had ultrasound examinations and answered questionnaires about abdominal symptoms at baseline and two reexaminations over 12 years. Participants were not informed of gallstone status. Inclusion criteria were no gallstones or cholecystectomy at baseline and attending a reexamination. Results. Of 3,785 participants, 2,845 fulfilled inclusion criteria. Changes in overall abdominal pain were not significantly different between incident gallstones or gallstone-free participants. Multiple adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that incident gallstones were significantly associated with debut of abdominal pain with projection, localized in the whole upper abdomen, and of longer duration. No significant associations for functional symptoms were identified. Conclusions. A new onset of abdominal pain with projection, localized in the whole upper abdomen, and of longer duration is associated with newly formed gallstones in participants unaware of gallstone status. Functional symptoms should not be the indication for surgical treatment.
PROVIDING INFORMATION IN PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS: MOTIVATION AND ABILITY EFFECTS IN THE INFORMATION-AND-CHOICE QUESTIONNAIRE

The Information-and-Choice Questionnaire (ICQ) is an instrument for public opinion survey in which respondents are presented with a policy-relevant decision problem and provided with information relevant to the problem (e.g. information about the consequences of the policy options). In the present paper we study the effects of respondents' motivation (operationalized as involvement in the issue) and ability (operationalized as respondent's level of education) on the formation and stability of preferences in the ICQ. Data were gathered in a nation-wide (N=991) survey on preferences for different ways of generating electricity in the Netherlands. As predicted, more motivated and more able respondents appeared to engage in more elaborate information processing.
Large Somatic Synapses on Neurons in the Ventral Lateral Lemniscus Work in Pairs

In the auditory system, large somatic synapses convey strong excitation that supports temporally precise information transfer. The information transfer of such synapses has predominantly been investigated in the endbulbs of Held in the anterior ventral cochlear nucleus and the calyx of Held in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body. These large synapses either work as relays or integrate over a small number of inputs to excite the postsynaptic neuron beyond action potential (AP) threshold. In the monaural system, another large somatic synapse targets neurons in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (VNLL). Here, we comparatively analyze the mechanisms of synaptic information transfer in endbulbs in the VNLL and the calyx of Held in juvenile Mongolian gerbils. We find that endbulbs in the VNLL are functionally surface-scaled versions of the calyx of Held with respect to vesicle availability, release efficacy, and synaptic peak currents. This functional scaling is achieved by different calcium current kinetics that compensate for the smaller AP in VNLL endbulbs. However, the average postsynaptic current in the VNLL fails to elicit APs in its target neurons, even though equal current suffices to generate APs in neurons postsynaptic to the calyx of Held. In the VNLL, a postsynaptic A-type outward current reduces excitability and prevents AP generation upon a single presynaptic input. Instead, coincidence detection of inputs from two converging endbulbs is ideal to reliably trigger APs. Thus, even large endbulbs do not guarantee one-to-one AP transfer. Instead, information flow appears regulated by circuit requirements.
An experimental study of security and privacy risks with emerging household appliances

Smart household appliances, ranging from light-bulbs and door-locks to power switches and smoke-alarms, are rapidly emerging in the marketplace, with predictions that over 2 billion devices will be installed within the next four years. However, security implementations vary widely across these devices, while privacy implications are unclear to users. In this paper we dissect the behavior of a few household devices, specifically the Phillips Hue light-bulb, the Belkin WeMo power switch, and the Nest smoke-alarm, and highlight the ease with which security and privacy can be compromised. We then propose a new solution to protect such devices by restricting access at the network-level. Our solution does not require changes from device manufacturers, reduces burden on the end-users, and allows security to be offered as an overlay service by the ISP or from a specialist provider in the cloud.
Lesions in the cerebral hemispheres after blunt head injury.

Though this paper is limited to lesions in the cerebral hemispheres after non-penetrating head injury, they are unlikely to be confined to the hemispheres, or to the brainstem for that matter. No attempt is made to deal with all the types of lesion which may occur, in particular those due to systemic factors, such. as fat embolism or anoxia and complications such as meningitis or epilepsy, are omitted. For further information the reader is referred to Tomlinson (1964) and Strich (1969). Although some lesions due to head injury can be seen with the naked eye, many important ones can be seen only with the microscope. Different lesions will be described under separate headings, but often occur in various combinations within the same brain.
Helical coronal ejections and their role in the solar cycle

The standard theory of the solar cycle in terms of an alpha-Omega dynamo hinges on a proper understanding of the nonlinear alpha effect. Boundary conditions play a surprisingly important role in determining the magnitude of alpha. For closed boundaries, the total magnetic helicity is conserved, and since the alpha effect produces magnetic helicity of one sign in the large scale field, it must simultaneously produce magnetic helicity of the opposite sign. It is this secondary magnetic helicity that suppresses the dynamo in a potentially catastrophic fashion. Open boundaries allow magnetic helicity to be lost. Simulations are presented that allow an estimate of alpha in the presence of open or closed boundaries, either with or without solar-like differential rotation. In all cases the sign of the magnetic helicity agrees with that observed at the solar surface (negative in the north, positive in the south), where significant amounts of magnetic helicity can be ejected via coronal mass ejections. It is shown that open boundaries tend to alleviate catastrophic alpha quenching. The importance of looking at current helicity instead of magnetic helicity is emphasized and the conceptual advantages are discussed.To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard. edu/abstract_service. html
Soluble Markers of the Toll-Like Receptor 4 Pathway Differentiate between Active and Latent Tuberculosis and Are Associated with Treatment Responses

Background Biomarkers to differentiate between active tuberculosis (TB) and latent TB infection (LTBI) and to monitor treatment responses are requested to complement TB diagnostics and control, particularly in patients with multi-drug resistant TB. We have studied soluble markers of the Toll-like-receptor 4 (TLR-4) pathway in various stages of TB disease and during anti-TB treatment. Methods Plasma samples from patients with culture confirmed drug-sensitive TB (n = 19) were collected before and after 2, 8 and 24 weeks of efficient anti-TB treatment and in a LTBI group (n = 6). Soluble (s) CD14 and myeloid differentiation-2 (MD-2) were analyzed by the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was analyzed by the Limulus Amebocyte Lysate colorimetric assay. Nonparametric statistics were applied. Results Plasma levels of sCD14 (p<0.001), MD-2 (p = 0.036) and LPS (p = 0.069) were elevated at baseline in patients with untreated active TB compared to the LTBI group. MD-2 concentrations decreased after 2 weeks of treatment (p = 0.011), while LPS levels decreased after 8 weeks (p = 0.005). In contrast, sCD14 levels increased after 2 weeks (p = 0.047) with a subsequent modest decrease throughout the treatment period. There was no significant difference in concentrations of any of these markers between patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB or between patients with or without symptoms. Conclusion Our data suggest that plasma levels of LPS, MD-2 and sCD14 can discriminate between active TB and LTBI. A decline in LPS and MD-2 concentrations was associated with response to anti-TB treatment. The clinical potential of these soluble TLR-4 pathway proteins needs to be further explored.
A general design of stochastic circuit and its synthesis

Stochastic computing (SC) is an unconventional paradigm to realize arithmetic computation, where real values are encoded as stochastic bit streams. Compared with conventional computation on binary radix encoding, SC can perform arithmetic computation with very simple circuits. It also has strong tolerance to soft errors. In this paper, we introduce a general design of combinational circuit for stochastic computing, together with its analysis. We further show a synthesis method that can implement arbitrary arithmetic functions with the proposed design. The experimental results demonstrated that compared with the previous methods, our approach produces a circuit with much smaller area and delay.