Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Competition between Persistent Na+ and Muscarine-Sensitive K+ Currents Shapes Perithreshold Resonance and Spike Tuning in CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Neurons from many brain regions display intrinsic subthreshold theta-resonance, responding preferentially to theta-frequency oscillatory stimuli. Resonance may contribute to selective communication among neurons and to orchestrate brain rhythms. CA1 pyramidal neurons receive theta activity, generating place fields. In these neurons the expression of perithreshold frequency preference is controversial, particularly in the spiking regime, with evidence favoring either non-resonant (integrator-like) or resonant behavior. Perithreshold dynamics depends on the persistent Na+ current INaP developing above −70 mV and the muscarine-sensitive K+ current IM activating above −60 mV. We conducted current and voltage clamp experiments in slices to investigate perithreshold excitability of CA1 neurons under oscillatory stimulation. Around 20% of neurons displayed perithreshold resonance that is expressed in spiking. The remaining neurons (~80%) acted as low-pass filters lacking frequency preference. Paired voltage clamp measurement of INaP and IM showed that perithreshold activation of IM is in general low while INaP is high enough to depolarize neurons toward threshold before resonance expression, explaining the most abundant non-resonant perithreshold behavior. Partial blockade of INaP by pharmacological tools or dynamic clamp changed non-resonant to resonant behavior. Furthermore, shifting IM activation toward hyperpolarized potentials by dynamic clamp also transformed non-resonant neurons into resonant ones. We propose that the relative levels of INaP and IM control perithreshold behavior of CA1 neurons constituting a gating mechanism for theta resonance in the spiking regime. Both currents are regulated by intracellular signaling and neuromodulators which may allow dynamic switching of perithreshold behavior between resonant and non-resonant.
A Comparison of Two Mental Status Examinations in an Inpatient Psychiatric Sample

This study compares the psychometric properties and clinical use of the Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and the Modified MMSE (3MS) in patients admitted to an acute medical-psychiatric inpatient unit. Internal consistencies were . 56 for the estimated MMSE and . 72 for the 3MS. Regression analyses revealed that the 3MS was a significant predictor of both length of hospital stay (LOS) and the need for additional services postdischarge. Regressions were also used to evaluate the contribution of the four new items contained in the 3MS: Word Generation, Similarities, Second Recall, and Date and Place of Birth. The 3MS was a significant predictor of LOS and the need for discharge services, whereas the MMSE did not contribute to any regression model. Word Generation was found to be a significant predictor of patients’ needing posthospital services. Results support prior findings of the 3MS’s superiority over the (estimated) MMSE and help to demonstrate the continued importance of cognitive screening in psychiatric samples.
Evaluating Thermoregulation in Reptiles: The Fallacy of the Inappropriately Applied Method

Given the importance of heat in most biological processes, studies on thermoregulation have played a major role in understanding the ecology of ectothermic vertebrates. It is, however, difficult to assess whether body temperature is actually regulated, and several techniques have been developed that allow an objective assessment of thermoregulation. Almost all recent studies on reptiles follow a single methodology that, when used correctly, facilitates comparisons between species, climates, and so on. However, the use of operative temperatures in this methodology assumes zero heat capacity of the study animals and is, therefore, appropriate for small animals only. Operative temperatures represent potentially available body temperatures accurately for small animals but can substantially overestimate the ranges of body temperature available to larger animals whose slower rates of heating and cooling mean that they cannot reach equilibrium if they encounter operative temperatures that change rapidly through either space or time. This error may lead to serious misinterpretations of field data. We derive correction factors specific for body mass and rate of movement that can be used to estimate body temperature null distributions of larger reptiles, thereby overcoming this methodological problem.
Multifactorial Regulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Endocytosis

Endocytosis is a process by which cells absorb extracellular materials via the inward budding of vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a highly selective process where receptors with specific binding sites for extracellular molecules internalize via vesicles. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest single family of plasma-membrane receptors with more than 1000 family members. But the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of GPCRs are believed to be highly conserved. For example, receptor phosphorylation in collaboration with β-arrestins plays major roles in desensitization and endocytosis of most GPCRs. Nevertheless, a number of subsequent studies showed that GPCR regulation, such as that by endocytosis, occurs through various pathways with a multitude of cellular components and processes. This review focused on i) functional interactions between homologous and heterologous pathways, ii) methodologies applied for determining receptor endocytosis, iii) experimental tools to determine specific endocytic routes, iv) roles of small guanosine triphosphate-binding proteins in GPCR endocytosis, and v) role of post-translational modification of the receptors in endocytosis.
NASA LaRC airborne high spectral resolution lidar aerosol measurements during MILAGRO: observations and validation

The NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) air- borne High Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) measures ver- tical profiles of aerosol extinction, backscatter, and depo- larization at both 532 nm and 1064 nm. In March of 2006 the HSRL participated in the Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations (MILAGRO) campaign along with several other suites of instruments deployed on both aircraft and ground based platforms. This paper presents high spatial and vertical resolution HSRL measurements of aerosol extinction and optical depth from MILAGRO and comparisons of those measurements with similar measure- ments from other sensors and model predictions. HSRL mea- surements coincident with airborne in situ aerosol scattering and absorption measurements from two different instrument suites on the C-130 and G-1 aircraft, airborne aerosol opti- cal depth (AOD) and extinction measurements from an air- borne tracking sunphotometer on the J-31 aircraft, and AOD from a network of ground based Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sun photometers are presented as a validation of the HSRL aerosol extinction and optical depth products. Regarding the extinction validation, we find bias differences between HSRL and these instruments to be less than 3% (0.01 km 1 ) at 532 nm, the wavelength at which the HSRL technique is employed. The rms differences at 532 nm were less than 50% (0.015 km 1 ). To our knowledge this is the
Multiple stressor effects of high light irradiance and photosynthetic herbicides on growth and survival of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

Exposure of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard to a combination of environmental stress by high light irradiance and chemical stress by each of the three herbicides paraquat, atrazine, and norflurazon resulted in diverse multiple stressor effects on growth and survival of the cells. Under low light conditions, growth analyzed by cell numbers was generally more sensitive to herbicide treatment than optical density–based growth rates or colony‐forming unit endpoints, which both also analyzed the viability of the cells. However, growth analyzed by optical density and colony‐forming units in herbicide‐treated cultures was affected much more strongly by high light irradiance, as shown by reduced 50% effective concentrations, indicating extensive multiple stressor effects of the combined treatment on the viability of the cells. None of the currently used concepts for mixture toxicity (concentration addition, independent action, or effect summation) could accurately describe the effects measured by the two stressors in combination. Both synergistic and antagonistic interactions seem to occur depending on the light conditions and the parameter analyzed. The strong stimulation of toxicity by the combined stresses can be explained by the similar mode of toxic action of the treatments, all increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. Antagonistic effects, conversely, are probably attributable to the various protection mechanisms of photosynthetic organisms to increased light irradiance, which help the cells acclimate to specific light conditions and defend against the deleterious effects of excess light. These protection mechanisms can affect growth and viability under increased light conditions and also might influence the toxicity of the photosynthetic herbicides. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2211–2219. © 2010 SETAC
Removal of Uranium (VI) from Aqueous Solution using Low Cost and Eco- Friendly Adsorbents

Adsorption process is an important technique in separation processes, which is used in heavy metals removal from aqueous solution. Orange peel has been investigated for the adsorption of uranium ions from aqueous solution.The parameters of pH, contact time, initial uranium ion concentration, temperature and adsorbent dose have been investigated in batch experiments. The adsorption kinetics were described using pseudo-second order model and the adsorption isotherms were described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms which indicate that the uranium adsorption onto orange peel fitted well with Langmuir isotherm.
The Impact of Climate, CO2 and Population on Regional Food and Water Resources in the 2050s

Population growth and climate change are likely to impact upon food and water availability over the coming decades. In this study we use an ensemble of climate simulations to project the implications of both these drivers on regional changes in food and water. This study highlights the dominant effect of population growth on per capita resource allocation over climate induced changes in our model projections. We find a strong signal for crop yield reductions due to climate change by the 2050s in the absence of CO2 fertilisation effects. However, when these additional processes are included this trend is reversed. The impacts of climate on water resources are more uncertain. Overall, we find reductions in the global population living in water stressed conditions due to the combined effects of climate and CO2. Africa is a key region where projected decreases in runoff and crop productivity from climate change alone are potentially reversed when CO2 fertilisation effects are included, but this is highly uncertain. Plant physiological response to increasing atmospheric CO2 is a major driver of the changes in crop productivity and water availability in this study; it is poorly constrained by observations and is thus a critical uncertainty.
Role Of Gut Flora In Inflammatory Bowel Disease- A State Of Art

This review helps us to dissect out the underlying mechanism that leads to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs, which include ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease). Two broad line of thoughts have emerged from the study. One body of data suggests that IBD is associated with the genetic make-up of the individual that contributes to evoke the inflammatory response that characterizes the disease. Another body of data suggests that IBD patients have a defective epithelial barrier that enables the proliferation of non pathologic organisms in close juxtaposition to elements of the mucosal immune system, again evoking the inflammatory response that characterizes the disease.
Putting Feelings Into Words

Putting feelings into words (affect labeling) has long been thought to help manage negative emotional experiences; however, the mechanisms by which affect labeling produces this benefit remain largely unknown. Recent neuroimaging studies suggest a possible neurocognitive pathway for this process, but methodological limitations of previous studies have prevented strong inferences from being drawn. A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of affect labeling was conducted to remedy these limitations. The results indicated that affect labeling, relative to other forms of encoding, diminished the response of the amygdala and other limbic regions to negative emotional images. Additionally, affect labeling produced increased activity in a single brain region, right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (RVLPFC). Finally, RVLPFC and amygdala activity during affect labeling were inversely correlated, a relationship that was mediated by activity in medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC). These results suggest that affect labeling may diminish emotional reactivity along a pathway from RVLPFC to MPFC to the amygdala.
"Scaling up" learning design: impact of learning design activities on LMS behavior and performance

While substantial progress has been made in terms of predictive modeling in the Learning Analytics Knowledge (LAK) community, one element that is often ignored is the role of learning design. Learning design establishes the objectives and pedagogical plans which can be evaluated against the outcomes captured through learning analytics. However, no empirical study is available linking learning designs of a substantial number of courses with usage of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and learning performance. Using cluster- and correlation analyses, in this study we compared how 87 modules were designed, and how this impacted (static and dynamic) LMS behavior and learning performance. Our findings indicate that academics seem to design modules with an "invisible" blueprint in their mind. Our cluster analyses yielded four distinctive learning design patterns: constructivist, assessment-driven, balanced-variety and social constructivist modules. More importantly, learning design activities strongly influenced how students were engaging online. Finally, learning design activities seem to have an impact on learning performance, in particular when modules rely on assimilative activities. Our findings indicate that learning analytics researchers need to be aware of the impact of learning design on LMS data over time, and subsequent academic performance.
An experimental study of opinion influenceability

Humans, like many other animal species, often make choices under social influence. Experiments in ants and fishes have shown that individuals choose according to estimations of which option to take given private and social information. Principled approaches based on probabilistic estimations by agents give mathematical formulas explaining experiments in these species. Here we test whether the same principled approaches can explain social influence in humans. We conduct a large online field experiment in which we measure opinion influenced by public comments about short movies in the most popular video-sharing website. We show that the basic principles of social influence in other species also apply to humans, with the added complexity that humans are heterogenous. We infer influenceability of each participant of the experiment, finding that individuals prone to social influence tend to agree with social feedback, read less comments, and are less educated than the persons who resist influence. We believe that our results will help to build a mathematical theory of social influence rooted in probabilistic reasoning that show commonalities and differences between humans and other species.
Disruption of Growth Hormone Receptor Prevents Calorie Restriction from Improving Insulin Action and Longevity

Most mutations that delay aging and prolong lifespan in the mouse are related to somatotropic and/or insulin signaling. Calorie restriction (CR) is the only intervention that reliably increases mouse longevity. There is considerable phenotypic overlap between long-lived mutant mice and normal mice on chronic CR. Therefore, we investigated the interactive effects of CR and targeted disruption or knock out of the growth hormone receptor (GHRKO) in mice on longevity and the insulin signaling cascade. Every other day feeding corresponds to a mild (i.e. 15%) CR which increased median lifespan in normal mice but not in GHRKO mice corroborating our previous findings on the effects of moderate (30%) CR on the longevity of these animals. To determine why insulin sensitivity improves in normal but not GHRKO mice in response to 30% CR, we conducted insulin stimulation experiments after one year of CR. In normal mice, CR increased the insulin stimulated activation of the insulin signaling cascade (IR/IRS/PI3K/AKT) in liver and muscle. Livers of GHRKO mice responded to insulin by increased activation of the early steps of insulin signaling, which was dissipated by altered PI3K subunit abundance which putatively inhibited AKT activation. In the muscle of GHRKO mice, there was elevated downstream activation of the insulin signaling cascade (IRS/PI3K/AKT) in the absence of elevated IR activation. Further, we found a major reduction of inhibitory Ser phosphorylation of IRS-1 seen exclusively in GHRKO muscle which may underpin their elevated insulin sensitivity. Chronic CR failed to further modify the alterations in insulin signaling in GHRKO mice as compared to normal mice, likely explaining or contributing to the absence of CR effects on insulin sensitivity and longevity in these long-lived mice.
Replication-Uncoupled Histone Deposition during Adenovirus DNA Replication

ABSTRACT In infected cells, the chromatin structure of the adenovirus genome DNA plays critical roles in its genome functions. Previously, we reported that in early phases of infection, incoming viral DNA is associated with both viral core protein VII and cellular histones. Here we show that in late phases of infection, newly synthesized viral DNA is also associated with histones. We also found that the knockdown of CAF-1, a histone chaperone that functions in the replication-coupled deposition of histones, does not affect the level of histone H3 bound on viral chromatin, although CAF-1 is accumulated at viral DNA replication foci together with PCNA. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays using epitope-tagged histone H3 demonstrated that histone variant H3.3, which is deposited onto the cellular genome in a replication-independent manner, is selectively associated with both incoming and newly synthesized viral DNAs. Microscopic analyses indicated that histones but not USF1, a transcription factor that regulates viral late gene expression, are excluded from viral DNA replication foci and that this is achieved by the oligomerization of the DNA binding protein (DBP). Taken together, these results suggest that histone deposition onto newly synthesized viral DNA is most likely uncoupled with viral DNA replication, and a possible role of DBP oligomerization in this replication-uncoupled histone deposition is discussed.
Effects of Plasma Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Jute Fibers and Their Composites with Polypropylene

A jute fiber surface was modified with argon gas in a cylinder type RF plasma generator to enhance the interfacial bond strength and to optimize the plasma treatment condition. The plasma power, gas pressure, and treat time were varied to figure out any effect of those parameters on the morphology and mechanical strength of jute fibers, and the interfacial bond strength for a model composite with polypropylene resin. As the severity of plasma treatment was increased, the surface of jute fibers became rougher. Gas pressure was less effective in roughening of the surface compared with those of treat time and plasma power. Approximately 25% drop in tensile strength of jute fibers was observed for the parameters of treat time and plasma power, while little deterioration was found for gas pressure, with increasing the severity. Based on the interfacial shear strength (IFSS), the optimum plasma treatment condition was determined to be treat time of 30 s, plasma power of 40 W, and gas pressure of 30 mTorr.
Utilitarian mechanism design for multi-objective optimization

In a classic optimization problem the complete input data is known to the algorithm. This assumption may not be true anymore in optimization problems motivated by the Internet where part of the input data is private knowledge of independent selfish agents. The goal of algorithmic mechanism design is to provide (in polynomial time) a solution to the optimization problem and a set of incentives for the agents such that disclosing the input data is a dominant strategy for the agents. In case of NP-hard problems, the solution computed should also be a good approximation of the optimum. In this paper we focus on mechanism design for multi-objective optimization problems, where we are given the main objective function, and a set of secondary objectives which are modeled via budget constraints. Multi-objective optimization is a natural setting for mechanism design as many economical choices ask for a compromise between different, partially conflicting, goals. Our main contribution is showing that two of the main tools for the design of approximation algorithms for multi-objective optimization problems, namely approximate Pareto curves and Lagrangian relaxation, can lead to truthful approximation schemes. By exploiting the method of approximate Pareto curves, we devise truthful FPTASs for multi-objective optimization problems whose exact version admits a pseudo-polynomial-time algorithm, as for instance the multi-budgeted versions of minimum spanning tree, shortest path, maximum (perfect) matching, and matroid intersection. Our technique applies also to multi-dimensional knapsack and multi-unit combinatorial auctions. Our FPTASs compute a (1 + ε)-approximate solution violating each budget constraint by a factor (1 + ε). For a relevant sub-class of the mentioned problems we also present a PTAS (not violating any constraint), which combines the approach above with a novel monotone way to guess the heaviest elements in the optimum solution. Finally we present a universally truthful Las Vegas PTAS for minimum spanning tree with a single budget constraint. This result is based on the Lagrangian relaxation method, in combination with our monotone guessing step and a random perturbation step (ensuring low expected running time in a way similar to the smoothed analysis of algorithms). All the mentioned results match the best known approximation ratios, which however are obtained by non-truthful algorithms.