Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term synaptic depression in the striatum: physiological and pharmacological characterization

The effect of tetanic activation of corticostriatal glutamatergic fibers was studied in striatal slices by utilizing extracellular and intracellular recording techniques. Tetanic stimulation produced a long- term synaptic depression (LTD) (> 2 h) of both extracellularly recorded field potentials and intracellularly recorded EPSPs. LTD was not coupled with changes of intrinsic membrane properties of the recorded neurons. In some neurons, repetitive cortical activation produced a short-term posttetanic potentiation (1–3 min). Subthreshold tetanic stimulation, which under control condition did not cause LTD, induced LTD when associated with membrane depolarization. Moreover, LTD was not expressed in cells in which the conditioning tetanus was coupled with hyperpolarization of the membrane. Bath application of aminophosphonovalerate (30–50 microM), an antagonist of NMDA receptors, did not affect the amplitude of the synaptic potentials and the expression of LTD. Striatal LTD was significantly reduced by the pretreatment of the slices with 30 microM 2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid, an antagonist of glutamate metabotropic receptors. LTD was not blocked by bicuculline (30 microM), a GABA(A) receptor antagonist. Scopolamine (3 microM), an antagonist of muscarinic receptors, induced a slight, but significant, increase of the amplitude of LTD. Both SCH 23390 (3 microM), an antagonist of D1 dopamine (DA) receptors, and I- sulpiride (1 microM), an antagonist of D2 DA receptors, blocked LTD. LTD was also absent in slices obtained from rats in which the nigrostriatal DA system was lesioned by unilateral nigral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. In DA-depleted slices, LTD could be restored by applying exogenous DA (30 microM) before the conditioning tetanus. In DA-depleted slices, LTD could also be restored by coadministration of SKF 38393 (3–10 microM), a D1 receptor agonist, and of LY 171555 (1–3 microM), a D2 receptor agonist. Application of a single class of DA receptor agonists failed to restore LTD. These data show that striatal LTD requires three main physiological and pharmacological conditions: (1) membrane depolarization and action potential discharge of the postsynaptic cell during the conditioning tetanus, (2) activation of glutamate metabotropic receptors, and (3) coactivation of D1 and D2 DA receptors. Striatal LTD may alter the output signals from the striatum to the other structures of the basal ganglia. This form of synaptic plasticity can influence the striatal control of motor activity.
Role of current perceived needs in explaining the association between past trauma exposure and distress in humanitarian settings in Jordan and Nepal

Background Attention is increasingly shifting towards the role of daily stressors in explaining mental health outcomes in humanitarian emergencies. Aims To assess the role of current perceived needs in explaining the association between past traumatic exposure and distress in humanitarian settings. Method A series of mediator analyses were conducted, using data from Jordan (displaced Iraqi people) and Nepal (Bhutanese refugees). The General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the newly developed Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale (HESPER) and the traumatic events list of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) were used as measures of distress, current perceived needs and past traumatic events respectively. Results Current perceived needs were found to mediate the association between past traumatic exposure and distress in Jordan and, less strongly, in Nepal. Conclusions An integrated approach that includes a focus on daily stressors should be adopted to mitigate the impact of traumatic exposure in humanitarian settings.
Bile acids trigger cholemic nephropathy in common bile‐duct–ligated mice

Tubular epithelial injury represents an underestimated but important cause of renal dysfunction in patients with cholestasis and advanced liver disease, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To address the hypothesis that accumulation and excessive alternative urinary elimination of potentially toxic bile acids (BAs) may contribute to kidney injury in cholestasis, we established a mouse model for detailed in vivo time course as well as treatment studies. Three‐day common bile duct ligation (CBDL) induced renal tubular epithelial injury predominantly at the level of aquaporin 2–positive collecting ducts with tubular epithelial and basement membrane defects. This was followed by progressive interstitial nephritis and tubulointerstitial renal fibrosis in 3‐, 6‐, and 8‐week CBDL mice. Farnesoid X receptor knockout mice (with a hydrophilic BA pool) were completely protected from CBDL‐induced renal fibrosis. Prefeeding of hydrophilic norursodeoxycholic acid inhibited renal tubular epithelial injury in CBDL mice. In addition, we provide evidence for renal tubular injury in cholestatic patients with cholemic nephropathy. Conclusion: We characterized a novel in vivo model for cholemic nephropathy, which offers new perspectives to study the complex pathophysiology of this condition. Our findings suggest that urinary‐excreted toxic BAs represent a pivotal trigger for renal tubular epithelial injury leading to cholemic nephropathy in CBDL mice. (Hepatology 2013; 58:2056–2069)
Diffusion and Scattering of Shocks in the PartiallyAsymmetric Simple Exclusion Process

We study the behavior of shocks in the asymmetric simple exclusion process on $Z$ whose initial distribution is a product measure with a finite number of shocks. We prove that if the particle hopping rates of this process are in a particular relation with the densities of the initial measure then the distribution of this process at any time is a linear combination of shock measures of the structure similar to that of the initial distribution. The structure of this linear combination allows us to interpret this result by saying that the shocks of the initial distribution perform continuous time random walks on $Z$ interacting by the exclusion rule. We give explicit expressions for the hopping rates of these random walks. The result is derived with a help of quantum algebra technique. We made the presentation self-contained for the benefit of readers not acquainted with this approach, but interested in applying it in the study of interacting particle systems.
Toxicological screening in trauma

Objectives—To determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol and drug use in patients with major trauma. Methods—Consecutive trauma patient enrolment, 24 hours a day, was envisaged with anonymised patient data on gender, age band, and mechanism of injury collected. The study group had surplus plasma quantitatively analysed for ethanol concentration, and urine samples were initially screened, via immunoassay, for opiates, cannabinoids, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, cocaine, and methadone. Confirmation and specification of individual positive results was then performed using thin layer or gas-liquid chromatography. Drugs of treatment given in the resuscitation room, if subsequently detected in the urine samples, were excluded from the final results. Results—There were 116 eligible trauma patients assessed and treated in the resuscitation room over a six month period, of which 93 (80%) were enrolled. Altogether 27% of this trauma population had plasma ethanol concentrations greater than 80 mg/dl. There was a significantly higher prevalence of alcohol intoxication in the group not involved in a road traffic accident (RTA) compared with the group who were involved in a RTA. Initial screening of urine for drugs revealed a prevalence of 51%. After 12 exclusions due to iatrogenic administration of opiates, the final confirmed prevalence was 35% in this trauma population. The individual drug prevalence was 13% for cannabinoids, 11% for codeine, 8% for morphine, 6% for amphetamine, 6% for benzodiazepines, 3% for cocaine, 1% for dihydrocodeine, and 1% for methadone. Conclusions—There is a notable prevalence of drug and alcohol use in this British accident and emergency trauma population. A significantly higher prevalence for alcohol intoxication was found in the non-RTA group compared with the RTA group. The patterns of drug usage detected reflect local influences and less cocaine use is seen compared with American studies. The association between alcohol, drugs, and trauma, together with ethically acceptable methods of screening, are discussed.
KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF HEPATITIS B AND C AMONG BARBERS OF URBAN AND RURAL AREAS OF RAWALPINDI AND ISLAMABAD.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are serious global public health problems with a prevalence of 10-15% with majority of the cases seen in the developing countries including Pakistan. It is a blood borne infection transmitted by infected blood and blood products through transfusions, contaminated needles, vertical transmission, unsafe sex and reuse of razors by barbers. The literature search so far did not reveal any study comparing knowledge, attitude and practices of hepatitis B & C in barbers working in Urban and rural areas. METHODS A comparative cross sectional survey was carried out among barbers of urban and rural areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A structured close ended questionnaire was filled from total of 202 barbers by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Comparative data analysis was done including variables like age, education, knowledge about hepatitis B & C, mode of transmission, role of the blades and media etc. RESULTS Knowledge about hepatitis B & C was good in urban areas (92%) as compared to those working in the rural areas (68%). Using new blade for every customer was seen in urban (100%) and rural (93%) area. However barbers knowledge about symptoms of the disease (urban 81% & rural 93%) and vaccination trend of Hepatitis B was low. CONCLUSION This study showed a marked difference in the knowledge, attitude and practices of the barbers working in the urban and the rural areas. Main focus should be on launching Health education programs and behaviour change communication campaigns for the barbers. Strict regulatory monitoring must be done against unlicensed street barbers.
Microstructure‐Lattice Thermal Conductivity Correlation in Nanostructured PbTe0.7S0.3 Thermoelectric Materials

The reduction of thermal conductivity, and a comprehensive understanding of the microstructural constituents that cause this reduction, represent some of the important challenges for the further development of thermoelectric materials with improved figure of merit. Model PbTe‐based thermoelectric materials that exhibit very low lattice thermal conductivity have been chosen for this microstructure–thermal conductivity correlation study. The nominal PbTe0.7S0. 3 composition spinodally decomposes into two phases: PbTe and PbS. Orderly misfit dislocations, incomplete relaxed strain, and structure‐modulated contrast rather than composition‐modulated contrast are observed at the boundaries between the two phases. Furthermore, the samples also contain regularly shaped nanometer‐scale precipitates. The theoretical calculations of the lattice thermal conductivity of the PbTe0.7S0. 3 material, based on transmission electron microscopy observations, closely aligns with experimental measurements of the thermal conductivity of a very low value, ∼0.8 W m−1 K−1 at room temperature, approximately 35% and 30% of the value of the lattice thermal conductivity of either PbTe and PbS, respectively. It is shown that phase boundaries, interfacial dislocations, and nanometer‐scale precipitates play an important role in enhancing phonon scattering and, therefore, in reducing the lattice thermal conductivity.
Unraveling Exercise Addiction: The Role of Narcissism and Self-Esteem

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of exercise addiction (EA) in fitness clubs and to identify possible factors in the development of the disorder. The Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI), and the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI) were administered to a sample of 150 consecutive gym attenders recruited in fitness centers. Based on EAI total score, high EA risk group (HEA n = 51) and a low EA risk group (LEA n = 69) were identified. HEA reported significantly higher total score (mean = 20.2 versus 14.6) on the NPI scale and lower total score (mean = 32.2 versus 36.4) on the SEI scale than LEA. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that only narcissism and self-esteem total scores (F = 5.66; df = 2; P = 0.006) were good predictors of days per week exercise. The present study confirms the direct and combined role of both labile self-esteem and high narcissism in the development of exercise addiction as predictive factors towards the risk of addiction. Multidisciplinary trained health care providers (physiatrists, psychologists, and psychiatrists) should carefully identify potential overexercise conditions in order to prevent the potential risk of exercise addiction.
Swimming Upstream: Struggling Firms in Corrupt Cities

We find that a corrupt local environment amplifies the effects of financial distress. Following regional spikes in financial misconduct, credit becomes both more expensive and harder to obtain for nearby borrowers -- even those not implicated themselves. This is particularly harmful for cash-constrained firms, which cut investment more sharply and lay off more workers during industry downturns. Moreover, we find that local waves of financial misconduct are a risk factor for bankruptcy.
Advances in Brief A Case-Control Study of Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolase , Smoking , Meat Consumption , Glutathione S-Transferase M 3 , and Risk of Colorectal Adenomas 1

We estimated associations between polymorphisms in the gene encoding microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH) among 464 cases diagnosed with first occurrence of colorectal adenoma and 510 matched controls. In an analysis controlling only for the matching variables, we found little or no association between adenoma andmEH genotypes defined by polymorphisms at either codon 113 and 139 or mEH activity predicted by both polymorphisms. However, in subsequent analyses, high predicted mEH activity was significantly associated with adenoma among certain subgroups defined by smoking history [odds ratio (OR), 4.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.68–10.81 among current smokers; interaction,P 5 0.11], meat consumption (OR, 2.47; CI, 0.99–6.19 among individuals who regularly eat well-done meat; interaction, P 5 0.03), and genotypes for the*A/*B polymorphism in the gene encoding glutationeS-transferase M3 (OR, 2.60; CI, 1.28–5.28 among individuals with *A*A genotype; interaction, P 5 0.03). These findings are consistent with causal roles for environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genetically encoded variants in enzymes whose actions lead to the production of activated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites.
A spectroscopic study of southern (candidate) gamma Doradus stars. II. Detailed abundance analysis and fundamental parameters

Context. The γ Doradus stars are a recent class of variable main sequence F-type stars located on the red edge of the Cepheid instability strip. They pulsate in gravity modes, and this makes them particularly interesting for detailed asteroseismic analysis, which can provide fundamental knowledge of properties near the convective cores of intermediate-mass main sequence stars. Aims. To improve current understanding of γ Dor stars through theoretical modelling, additional constraints are needed. Our aim is to estimate the fundamental atmospheric parameters and determine the chemical composition of these stars. Detailed analyses of single stars have previously suggested links to Am and λ Boo stars, so we wish to explore this interesting connection between chemical peculiarity and pulsation. Methods. We analysed a sample of γ Dor stars for the first time, including nine bona fide and three candidate members of the class. We determined the fundamental atmospheric parameters and compared the abundance pattern with other A-type stars. We used the semi-automatic software package VWA for the analysis. This code relies on the calculation of synthetic spectra and thus takes lineblending into account. This is important because of the fast rotation in some of the sample stars, and we made a thorough analysis of how VWA performs when increasing v sini. We obtained good results in agreement with previously derived fundamental parameters and abundances in a few selected reference stars with properties similar to the γ Dor stars. Results. We find that the abundance pattern in the γ Dor stars is not distinct from the constant A- and F-type stars we analysed.
Dictyostelium discoideum as a Model System for Identification of Burkholderia pseudomallei Virulence Factors

ABSTRACT Burkholderia pseudomallei is an emerging bacterial pathogen and category B biothreat. Human infections with B. pseudomallei (called melioidosis) present as a range of manifestations, including acute septicemia and pneumonia. Although melioidosis can be fatal, little is known about the molecular basis of B. pseudomallei pathogenicity, in part because of the lack of simple, genetically tractable eukaryotic models to facilitate en masse identification of virulence determinants or explore host-pathogen interactions. Two assays, one high-throughput and one quantitative, were developed to monitor levels of resistance of B. pseudomallei and the closely related nearly avirulent species Burkholderia thailandensis to predation by the phagocytic amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum. The quantitative assay showed that levels of resistance to, and survival within, amoeba by these bacteria and their known virulence mutants correlate well with their published levels of virulence in animals. Using the high-throughput assay, we screened a 1,500-member B. thailandensis transposon mutant library and identified 13 genes involved in resistance to predation by D. discoideum. Orthologs of these genes were disrupted in B. pseudomallei, and nearly all mutants had similarly decreased resistance to predation by D. discoideum. For some mutants, decreased resistance also correlated with reduced survival in and cytotoxicity toward macrophages, as well as attenuated virulence in mice. These observations suggest that some factors required by B. pseudomallei for resistance to environmental phagocytes also aid in resistance to phagocytic immune cells and contribute to disease in animals. Thus, D. discoideum provides a novel, high-throughput model system for facilitating inquiry into B. pseudomallei virulence.
Simple LMIs for stabilization by using delays

It is well-known that the second-order systems that cannot be stabilized by a static output feedback without a damping term, may be stabilized by inserting an artificial time-delay in the feedback. The existing Lyapunov-based methods that may treat this case and that lead to stability conditions in terms of Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMIs) suffer from high-dimensionality of the resulting LMIs. In this paper we suggest simple Lyapunov functionals that lead to reduced-order LMIs with a small number of decision variables.
Controlling the properties of single‐polymer composites by surface melting of the reinforcing fibers

All-thermoplastic single-polymer composites are materials in which both the reinforcing fibrous phase and the matrix between them are made of the same thermoplastic polymer. Excellent bonding is achieved by mutual entanglement macromolecules due to controlled surface melting of the fibers. This results in a uniform structure of a single chemical entity. The physical properties of the consolidated material, such as modulus and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), can be controlled by the extent of melting effected in the process, which determines the fiber/matrix ratio. The fabrication technology utilizes oriented polymer fibers in various forms: unidirectional lay-up, woven fabric or chopped fibers/non-woven felt. The key element in the processing scheme is the control of the fibers' melting temperature by hydrostatic pressure. The fibers are heated under high pressure to a temperature that is below their melting point at the high pressure but above the melting temperature at some lower pressure. Reduction of pressure for controlled time results in melting of the fibers, which starts at the fiber surface. This surface melting under controlled pressure followed by crystallization produces the consolidated structure. We illustrate and describe this process using fibers of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), showing the effect of the processing conditions on the flexural modulus, fiber/matrix ratio, and CTE in plane and in the thickness direction. These properties are relevant to the use of such composites as substrates for microwave antennae. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time-domain signal divergence and discrimination without receptor modification in sympatric morphs of electric fishes

SUMMARY Polymorphism in an animal communication channel provides a framework for studying proximate rules of signal design as well as ultimate mechanisms of signal diversification. Reproductively isolated mormyrid fishes from Gabon's Brienomyrus species flock emit distinctive electric organ discharges (EODs) thought to function in species and sex recognition. Species boundaries and EODs appear congruent in these fishes, with the notable exception of three morphs designated types I, II and III. Within the species flock, these morphs compose a monophyletic group that has recently been called the magnostipes complex. Co-occurring morphs of this complex express distinctive EODs, yet they appear genetically indistinguishable at several nuclear loci. In this study, we investigated EOD discrimination by these morphs using both behavioral and physiological experiments. During the breeding season, wild-caught type I and type II males showed evidence that they can discriminate their own morph's EOD waveform from that of a sympatric and genetically distinct reference species. However, we found that type I and type II males exhibited an asymmetry in unconditioned responses to paired playback of EODs recorded from type I versus type II females. Males of the type II morph responded preferentially to EODs of type II females, whereas type I males did not appear to discriminate homotypic and heterotypic EODs in our experimental paradigm. Part of this behavioral asymmetry may have resulted from a previously undetected difference in adult size, which may have enhanced apparent discrimination by the smaller morph (type II) due to a relatively higher risk of injury from the larger morph (type I). Knollenorgan receptors, which mediate electrical communication in mormyrids, showed similar spectral tuning in type I and type II. These electroreceptors coded temporal features of any single magnostipes-complex EOD with similar patterns of time-locked spikes in both morphs. By contrast, Knollenorgans exhibited distinctive responses to different EOD waveforms. These results suggest that discrete EOD variation in this rapidly diversifying complex is functional in terms of morph-specific advertisement and recognition. Time-domain signal divergence has outpaced frequency-domain divergence between sympatric morphs, requiring little to no change in receptor response properties. We discuss our findings in light of a model for EOD time-coding by the Knollenorgan pathway, as well as evolutionary hypotheses concerning sympatric signal diversification in the magnostipes complex.