Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treatment with CRH‐1 antagonist antalarmin reduces behavioral and endocrine responses to social stressors in marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii)

Corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) has multiple roles in coordinating the behavioral and endocrine responses to a host of environmental challenges, including social stressors. In the present study we evaluated the role of CRH in mediating responses to a moderate social stressor in Wied's black tufted‐eared marmosets (Callithrix kuhlii). Male and female marmosets (n=14) were administered antalarmin (a selective CRH‐1 receptor antagonist; 50µg/kg, p.o.) or vehicle in a blind, counterbalanced, crossover design. One hr after treatment, marmosets were separated from long‐term pairmates and then housed alone in a novel enclosure for 7 hr. Behavior was recorded during separation and upon reunion with the partner, and urine samples for cortisol assay collected before, during, and after the intervention. Separation from partners elevated urinary cortisol concentrations over baseline for both conditions, but antalarmin treatment reduced the magnitude of the elevation. Antalarmin also lowered rates of behavioral patterns associated with arousal (alarm and “e‐e” vocalizations, object manipulate/chew), but had no effect on contact calls, locomotory activity or alertness. Although most patterns of social behavior upon reunion with the partner were not affected by antalarmin, antalarmin‐treated marmosets displayed more sexual behavior (mounts and copulations) upon reunion. These data indicate that antagonism of the CRH‐1 receptor acts to reduce the magnitude of both endocrine and behavioral responses to a moderate social stressor without causing any overall reduction in alertness or general activity. This supports the hypothesis that CRH, acting through its type 1 receptor, is involved in coordinating the responses to anxiety‐producing events. These results further suggest that the marmoset is a useful model for exploration of the role of CRH in mediating the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to psychosocial stressors, particularly in the context of heterosexual social relationships. Am. J. Primatol. 69:877–889, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simulation in software engineering training

Simulation is frequently used for training in many application areas like aviation and economics, but not in software engineering. We present the SESAM project which focuses on software engineering education using simulation. In the SESAM project a simulator was developed. Using this simulator, a student can take the role of a software project manager. The simulated software project can be finished within a couple of hours because it is simulated in "quick-motion" mode. The background and goals of the SESAM project are presented. A new simulation model, the so called QA model, is introduced. The model behavior is demonstrated by investigating and comparing different strategies for software development. The results of experiments based on the QA model are reported. Finally, conclusions are drawn from the experiments and future work is outlined.
Self-Organized Synaptic Plasticity Contributes to the Shaping of γ and β Oscillations In Vitro

γ (30–70 Hz) followed by β (10–30 Hz) oscillations are evoked in humans by sensory stimuli and may be involved in working memory. Phenomenologically similar γ→β oscillations can be evoked in hippocampal slices by strong two-site tetanic stimulation. Weaker stimulation leads only to two-site synchronized γ. In vitro oscillations have memory-like features: (1) EPSPs increase during γ→β; (2) after a strong one-site stimulus, two-site stimulation produces desynchronized γ; and (3) a single synchronized γ→β epoch allows a subsequent weak stimulus to induce synchronized γ→β. Features 2 and 3 last >50 min and so are unlikely to be caused by presynaptic effects. A previous model replicated the γ→β transition when it was assumed that K+ conductance(s) increases and there is an ad hoc increase in pyramidal EPSCs. Here, we have refined the model, so that both pyramidal→pyramidal and pyramidal→interneuron synapses are modifiable. This model, in a self-organized way, replicates the γ→β transition, along with features 1 and 2 above. Feature 3 is replicated if learning rates, or the time course of K+ current block, are graded with stimulus intensity. Synaptic plasticity allows simulated oscillations to synchronize between sites separated by axon conduction delays over 10 msec. Our data suggest that one function of γ oscillations is to permit synaptic plasticity, which is then expressed in the form of β oscillations. We propose that the period of γ oscillations, ∼25 msec, is “designed” to match the time course of [Ca2+]i fluctuations in dendrites, thus facilitating learning.
A Randomized Experiment Testing the Efficacy of a Scheduling Nudge in a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)

An increasing number of students are taking classes offered online through open-access platforms; however, the vast majority of students who start these classes do not finish. The incongruence of student intentions and subsequent engagement suggests that self-control is a major contributor to this stark lack of persistence. This study presents the results of a large-scale field experiment (N = 18,043) that examines the effects of a self-directed scheduling nudge designed to promote student persistence in a massive open online course. We find that random assignment to treatment had no effects on near-term engagement and weakly significant negative effects on longer-term course engagement, persistence, and performance. Interestingly, these negative effects are highly concentrated in two groups of students: those who registered close to the first day of class and those with . edu e-mail addresses. We consider several explanations for these findings and conclude that theoretically motivated interventions may interact with the diverse motivations of individual students in possibly unintended ways.
Corruption Epidemics

When estimating the determinants of perceived corruption, economists assumed that there is full independence across countries. In the presence of peer-group or learning effects through cross-border economic activity (such as trade or labor migration), this assumption might be violated. We provide evidence that this is the case. Using a cross-section of 123 economies for the year 2000, we illustrate that corruption in one country spills over to adjacent economies. This finding implies that institutional changes reducing corruption in one country lead to smaller but qualitatively similar effects in neighboring countries.
Forskolin's effect on transient K current in nudibranch neurons is not reproduced by cAMP

Forskolin, a diterpene extracted from Coleus forskolii, stimulates the production of cAMP in a variety of cells and is potentially an important tool for studying the role of cAMP in the modulation of neuronal excitability. We studied the effects of forskolin on neurons of nudibranch molluscs and found that it caused characteristic, reversible changes in the amplitude and waveform of the transient K current, IA, and also activated an inward current similar to the cAMP- dependent inward current previously described in molluscan neurons. Forskolin altered the time course of IA activation and inactivation but did not affect the voltage dependence or the reversal potential of the current. IA normally inactivates exponentially, but in forskolin the time course of inactivation can be fit by the sum of 2 exponentials with an initial rate that is faster than the control and a final rate that is much slower. On depolarization in forskolin, IA begins to activate at the normal rate, but a slower component of activation is also seen. The changes in IA in the nudibranch cells were qualitatively different than the changes caused by forskolin in Aplysia bag cell neurons (Strong, 1984). Experiments were performed to determine whether these effects of forskolin require cAMP. Intracellular injection of cAMP, application of membrane-permeable analogs of cAMP, application of phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and intracellular injection of the active catalytic subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase did not affect the amplitude or waveform of IA. Also, the changes in IA that are caused by forskolin were not prevented or reversed by intracellular injection of an inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. Cyclic AMP did, however, activate inward current at voltages near the resting potential. We conclude that the changes in IA and the activation of inward current represent separate affects of forskolin. The inward current appears to depend on an increase in intracellular cAMP, while the changes in IA do not. These experiments show that, in addition to activating adenylate cyclase, forskolin may have a separate direct affect on the transient K current.
Adsorption of Bisphenol A to a Carbon Nanotube Reduced Its Endocrine Disrupting Effect in Mice Male Offspring

Soluble carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have shown promise as materials for adsorption of environmental contaminants such as Bisphenol A (BPA), due to the high adsorption capacity and strong desorption hysteresis of BPA on CNTs. The adsorption of BPA to CNTs may change the properties of both BPA and CNTs, and induce different toxicity to human and living systems from that of BPA and CNTs alone. Herein, we report that oral exposure of BPA/MWCNT–COOH (carboxylated multi-walled carbon nantubes) adduct to mice during gestation and lactation period decreased the male offspring reproductive toxicity compared with those induced by BPA alone. The adduct decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) level in testis and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in serum, but increased the level of serum testosterone in male offspring in comparison to BPA alone. Our investigations broadened the knowledge of nanotoxicity and provided important information on the safe application of CNTs.
RBF-based surrogate model for evolutionary optimization

Many today’s engineering tasks use approximation of their expensive objective function. Surrogate models, which are frequently used for this purpose, can save significant costs by substituting some of the experimental evaluations or simulations needed to achieve an optimal or near-optimal solution. This paper presents a surrogate model based on RBF networks. In contrast to the most of the surrogate models in the current literature, it can be directly used for problems with mixed continuous and discrete variables – clustering and generalized linear models are employed for dealing with discrete covariates. The model has been tested on a benchmark optimization problem and its approximation properties are presented on a real-world ap-
Human Sclera Maintains Common Characteristics with Cartilage throughout Evolution

Background The sclera maintains and protects the eye ball, which receives visual inputs. Although the sclera does not contribute significantly to visual perception, scleral diseases such as refractory scleritis, scleral perforation and pathological myopia are considered incurable or difficult to cure. The aim of this study is to identify characteristics of the human sclera as one of the connective tissues derived from the neural crest and mesoderm. Methodology/Principal Findings We have demonstrated microarray data of cultured human infant scleral cells. Hierarchical clustering was performed to group scleral cells and other mesenchymal cells into subcategories. Hierarchical clustering analysis showed similarity between scleral cells and auricular cartilage-derived cells. Cultured micromasses of scleral cells exposed to TGF-βs and BMP2 produced an abundant matrix. The expression of cartilage-associated genes, such as Indian hedge hog, type X collagen, and MMP13, was up-regulated within 3 weeks in vitro. These results suggest that human ‘sclera’-derived cells can be considered chondrocytes when cultured ex vivo. Conclusions/Significance Our present study shows a chondrogenic potential of human sclera. Interestingly, the sclera of certain vertebrates, such as birds and fish, is composed of hyaline cartilage. Although the human sclera is not a cartilaginous tissue, the human sclera maintains chondrogenic potential throughout evolution. In addition, our findings directly explain an enigma that the sclera and the joint cartilage are common targets of inflammatory cells in rheumatic arthritis. The present global gene expression database will contribute to the clarification of the pathogenesis of developmental diseases such as high myopia.
Feasible Management of Southern Corn Leaf Blight via Induction of Systemic Resistance by Bacillus cereus C1L in Combination with Reduced Use of Dithiocarbamate Fungicides

Dithiocarbamate fungicides such as maneb and mancozeb are widely used nonsystemic protectant fungicides to control various plant fungal diseases. Dithiocarbamate fungicides should be frequently applied to achieve optimal efficacy of disease control and avoid either decline in effectiveness or wash-off from leaf surface. Dithiocarbamates are of low resistance risk but have the potential to cause human neurological diseases. The objective of this study was to develop a strategy to effectively control plant disease with reduced use of dithiocarbamtes. Southern corn leaf blight was the model pathosystem for the investigation. When corn plants were drench-treated with Bacillus cereus C1L, a rhizobacterium able to induce systemic resistance in corn plants against southern leaf blight, frequency of spraying dithiocarbamate fungicides could be decreased. The treatment of B. cereus C1L was able to protect maize from southern leaf blight while residues of dithiocarbamates on leaf surface were too low to provide sufficient protection. On the other hand, frequent sprays of mancozeb slightly but significantly reduced growth of corn plants under natural conditions. In contrast, application of B. cereus C1L can significantly promote growth of corn plants whether sprayed with mancozeb or not. Our results provide the information that plant disease can be well controlled by rhizobacteria-mediated induced systemic resistance in combination with reduced but appropriate application of dithiocarbamate fungicides just before a heavy infection period. An appropriate use of rhizobacteria can enhance plant growth and help plants overcome negative effects caused by dithiocarbamates.
Kinetics of Na 1 -Dependent Conformational Changes of Rabbit Kidney Na 1 ,K 1 -ATPase

The kinetics of Na 1 -dependent partial reactions of the Na 1 ,K 1 -ATPase from rabbit kidney were investigated via the stopped-flow technique, using the fluorescent labels N -(4-sulfobutyl)-4-(4-( p -(dipentylamino)phenyl)butadienyl)pyridinium inner salt (RH421) and 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein (5-IAF). When covalently labeled 5-IAF enzyme is mixed with ATP, the two labels give almost identical kinetic responses. Under the chosen experimental conditions two exponential time functions are necessary to fit the data. The dominant fast phase, 1/ t 1 ’ 155 s 2 1 for 5-IAF-labeled enzyme and 1/ t 1 ’ 200 s 2 1 for native enzyme (saturating [ATP] and [Na 1 ], pH 7.4 and 24°C), is attributed to phosphorylation of the enzyme and a subsequent conformational change (E 1 ATP(Na 1 ) 3 3 E 2 P(Na 1 ) 3 1 ADP). The smaller amplitude slow phase, 1/ t 2 5 30–45 s 2 1 , is attributed to the relaxation of the dephosphorylation/rephosphorylation equilibrium in the absence of K 1 ions (E 2 P N E 2 ). The Na 1 concentration dependence of 1/ t 1 showed half-saturation at a Na 1 concentration of 6–8 mM, with positive cooperativity involved in the occupation of the Na 1 binding sites. The apparent dissociation constant of the high-affinity ATP-binding site determined from the ATP concentration dependence of 1/ t 1 was 8.0 ( 6 0.7) m M. It was found that P 3 -1-(2-nitrophenyl)ethyl ATP, tripropylammonium salt (NPE-caged ATP), at concentrations in the hundreds of micromolar range, significantly decreases the value of 1/ t 1 observed. This, as well as the biexponential nature of the kinetic traces, can account for previously reported discrepancies in the rates of the reactions investigated. kinetics of ,K -ATPase changes and ion translocation reactions in the stopped-flow apparatus RH421 syringes an equal of an ATP syringe. The two were in the so no change in the Na 1 concentration occurred on In the case of experiments performed to test the effect of NPE-caged ATP on the observed kinetics, the equilibrated for ; with NPE-caged ATP with the syringes equilibrated to a of 24°C each syringes by dead time of the stopped-flow mixing cell to be ( 6 0.2) faster relaxation of fastest enzyme-related transient, for RH421 1 down to case ions. Interference of photochemical reactions of the fluorescence probes with the kinetics of Na 1 ,K 1 -ATPase-related fluorescence transients was by inserting neutral density filters in the light beam in of monochromator. The kinetics of conformational changes of unphosphorylated were ,K an equal concentrations Both the enzyme a this case prevent the phosphorylation reaction from occurring. of 7.4 HCl. be
Regulation of tendon differentiation by scleraxis distinguishes force-transmitting tendons from muscle-anchoring tendons

The scleraxis (Scx) gene, encoding a bHLH transcription factor, is expressed in the progenitors and cells of all tendon tissues. To determine Scx function, we produced a mutant null allele. Scx-/- mice were viable, but showed severe tendon defects, which manifested in a drastically limited use of all paws and back muscles and a complete inability to move the tail. Interestingly, although the differentiation of all force-transmitting and intermuscular tendons was disrupted, other categories of tendons, the function of which is mainly to anchor muscles to the skeleton, were less affected and remained functional, enabling the viability of Scx-/- mutants. The force-transmitting tendons of the limbs and tail varied in the severity to which they were affected, ranging from dramatic failure of progenitor differentiation resulting in the loss of segments or complete tendons, to the formation of small and poorly organized tendons. Tendon progenitors appeared normal in Scx-/- embryos and a phenotype resulting from a failure in the condensation of tendon progenitors to give rise to distinct tendons was first detected at embryonic day (E)13.5. In the tendons that persisted in Scx-/- mutants, we found a reduced and less organized tendon matrix and disorganization at the cellular level that led to intermixing of tenocytes and endotenon cells. The phenotype of Scx-/- mutants emphasizes the diversity of tendon tissues and represents the first molecular insight into the important process of tendon differentiation.
Investigating affect in algorithmic composition systems

There has been a significant amount of work implementing systems for algorithmic composition with the intention of targeting specific emotional responses in the listener, but a full review of this work is not currently available. This gap creates a shared obstacle to those entering the field. Our aim is thus to give an overview of progress in the area of these affectively driven systems for algorithmic composition. Performative and transformative systems are included and differentiated where appropriate, highlighting the challenges these systems now face if they are to be adapted to, or have already incorporated, some form of affective control. Possible real-time applications for such systems, utilizing affectively driven algorithmic composition and biophysical sensing to monitor and induce affective states in the listener are suggested.
Guidelines for Benchmarking Automated Software Traceability Techniques

To comparatively evaluate automated trace ability solutions, we need to develop standardized benchmarks. However there is currently no consensus on how a benchmark should be constructed and used to evaluate competing techniques. In this paper we discuss recurring problems in evaluating trace ability techniques, identify essential properties that evaluation methods should possess, and provide guidelines for benchmarking software trace ability techniques. We illustrate the properties and guidelines using empirical evaluation of three software trace ability techniques on nine data sets.
Hypoglycemia Unawareness in Older Compared With Middle-Aged Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Older patients with type 2 diabetes are at a particularly high risk for severe hypoglycemic episodes, and experimental studies in healthy subjects hint at a reduced awareness of hypoglycemia in aged humans. However, subjective responses to hypoglycemia have rarely been assessed in older type 2 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We tested hormonal, subjective, and cognitive responses (reaction time) to 30-min steady-state hypoglycemia at a level of 2.8 mmol/l in 13 older (≥65 years) and 13 middle-aged (39–64 years) type 2 diabetic patients. RESULTS Hormonal counterregulatory responses to hypoglycemia did not differ between older and middle-aged patients. In contrast, middle-aged patients showed a pronounced increase in autonomic and neuroglycopenic symptom scores at the end of the hypoglycemic plateau that was not observed in older patients (both P < 0.01). Also, seven middle-aged patients, but only one older participant, correctly estimated their blood glucose concentration to be <3.3 mmol/l during hypoglycemia (P = 0.011). A profound prolongation of reaction times induced by hypoglycemia in both groups persisted even after 30 min of subsequent euglycemia. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate marked subjective unawareness of hypoglycemia in older type 2 diabetic patients that does not depend on altered neuroendocrine counterregulation and may contribute to the increased probability of severe hypoglycemia frequently reported in these patients. The joint occurrence of hypoglycemia unawareness and deteriorated cognitive function is a critical factor to be carefully considered in the treatment of older patients.
Cloning and sequencing of rat plectin indicates a 466-kD polypeptide chain with a three-domain structure based on a central alpha-helical coiled coil

We have determined the complete cDNA sequence of rat plectin from a number of well-characterized overlapping lambda gt11 clones. The 4,140- residue predicted amino acid sequence (466,481 D) is consistent with a three-domain structural model in which a long central rod domain, having mainly an alpha-helical coiled coil conformation, is flanked by globular NH2- and COOH-terminal domains. The plectin sequence has a number of repeating motifs. The rod domain has five subregions approximately 200-residues long in which there is a strong repeat in the charged amino acids at 10.4 residues that may be involved in association between plectin molecules. The globular COOH-terminal domain has a prominent six-fold tandem repeat, with each repeat having a strongly conserved central region based on nine tandem repeats of a 19-residue motif. The plectin sequence has several marked similarities to that of desmoplakin (Green, K. J., D. A. D. Parry, P. M. Steinert, M. L. A. Virata, R. M. Wagner, B. D. Angst, and L.A. Nilles. 1990. J. Biol. Chem. 265:2,603-2,612), which has a shorter coiled-coil rod domain with a similar 10.4 residue charge periodicity and a COOH- terminal globular domain with three tandem repeats homologous to the six found in plectin. The plectin sequence also has homologies to that of the bullous pemphigoid antigen. Northern blot analysis indicated that there is a significant degree of conservation of plectin genes between rat, human, and chicken and that, as shown previously at the protein level, plectin has a wide tissue distribution. There appeared to be a single rat plectin gene that gave rise to a 15-kb message. Expression of polypeptides encoded by defined fragments of plectin cDNA in E. coli has also been used to localize the epitopes of a range of monoclonal and serum antibodies. This enabled us to tentatively map a sequence involved in plectin-vimentin and plectin-lamin B interactions to a restricted region of the rod domain.