Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Axonal Action-Potential Initiation and Na+ Channel Densities in the Soma and Axon Initial Segment of Subicular Pyramidal Neurons

A long-standing hypothesis is that action potentials initiate first in the axon hillock/initial segment (AH–IS) region because of a locally high density of Na+ channels. We tested this idea in subicular pyramidal neurons by using patch-clamp recordings in hippocampal slices. Simultaneous recordings from the soma and IS confirmed that orthodromic action potentials initiated in the axon and then invaded the soma. However, blocking Na+ channels in the AH–IS with locally applied tetrodotoxin (TTX) did not raise the somatic threshold membrane potential for orthodromic spikes. TTX applied to the axon beyond the AH–IS (30–60 μm from the soma) raised the apparent somatic threshold by ∼8 mV. We estimated the Na+ current density in the AH–IS and somatic membranes by using cell-attached patch-clamp recordings and found similar magnitudes (3–4 pA/μm2). Thus, the present results suggest that orthodromic action potentials initiate in the axon beyond the AH–IS and that the minimum threshold for spike initiation of the neuron is not determined by a high density of Na+ channels in the AH–IS region.
Mutations Linked to Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy Affect Allosteric Ca2+ Activation of the α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

Extracellular Ca2+ robustly potentiates the acetylcholine response of α4β2 nicotinic receptors. Rat orthologs of five mutations linked to autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE)—α4(S252F), α4(S256L), α4(+L264), β2(V262L), and β2(V262M)—reduced 2 mM Ca2+ potentiation of the α4β2 1 mM acetylcholine response by 55 to 74%. To determine whether altered allosteric Ca2+ activation or enhanced Ca2+ block caused this reduction, we coexpressed the rat ADNFLE mutations with an α4 N-terminal mutation, α4(E180Q), that abolished α4β2 allosteric Ca2+ activation. In each case, Ca2+ inhibition of the double mutants was less than that expected from a Ca2+ blocking mechanism. In fact, the effects of Ca2+ on the ADNFLE mutations near the intracellular end of the M2 region—α4(S252F) and α4(S256L)—were consistent with a straightforward allosteric mechanism. In contrast, the effects of Ca2+ on the ADNFLE mutations near the extracellular end of the M2 region—α4(+L264)β2, β2(V262L), and β2(V262M)—were consistent with a mixed mechanism involving both altered allosteric activation and enhanced block. However, the effects of 2 mM Ca2+ on the α4β2, α4(+L264)β2, and α4β2(V262L) single-channel conductances, the effects of membrane potential on the β2(V262L)-mediated reduction in Ca2+ potentiation, and the effects of eliminating the negative charges in the extracellular ring on this reduction failed to provide any direct evidence of mutant-enhanced Ca2+ block. Moreover, analyses of the α4β2, α4(S256L), and α4(+L264) Ca2+ concentration-potentiation relations suggested that the ADNFLE mutations reduce Ca2+ potentiation of the α4β2 acetylcholine response by altering allosteric activation rather than by enhancing block.
Adaptive Decision-Making by Systems of Cooperating Intelligent Agents Organized on Rough Mereological Principles

ABSTRACTWe propose a new approach to tasks of Distributed Artificial Intelligence (DAI). This approach is based on a novel idea of rough mereology which offers a framework for a rigorous (numerical) treatment of relations of being a part in a degree and allows for approximate reasoning about complex objects in particular for organizing systems of intelligent agents into schemes (assembling teams) for the purpose of synthesis from (elementary) parts of complex objects conforming to a given (possibly incomplete) specification in satisfactory degree.The above topics are illustrated by an example. Our example is a tiny fragment of a real animation system constructing subsequent scenes (or movie takes) from a database of elementary pictures. We expect that our general approach can be applied to practical tasks like manufacturing, design, control, management, etc.
Akt inhibits MLK3/JNK3 signaling by inactivating Rac1: a protective mechanism against ischemic brain injury

The overall goal of this study was to determine the molecular basis by which mixed‐lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) kinase and its signaling pathways are negatively regulated by the pro‐survival Akt pathway in cerebral ischemia. We demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) underlies the increased Akt‐Ser473 phosphorylation by orthovanadate. Co‐immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that endogenous Akt physically interacts with Rac1 in the hippocampal CA1 region, and this interaction is promoted on tyrosine phosphatase inhibition. The elevated Akt activation can deactivate MLK3 by phosphorylation at the Ser71 residue of Rac1, a small Rho family of guanidine triphosphatases required for MLK3 autophosphorylation. Subsequently, inhibition of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) results in decreased serine phosphorylation of 14‐3‐3, a cytoplasmic anchor of Bax, and prevents ischemia‐induced mitochondrial translocation of Bax, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase 3. At the same time, the expression of Fas‐ligand decreases in the CA1 region after inhibition of c‐Jun activation. The neuroprotective effect of Akt activation is significant in the CA1 region after global cerebral ischemia. Our results suggest that the activation of the pro‐apoptotic MLK3/JNK3 cascade induced by ischemic stress can be suppressed through activation of the anti‐apoptotic phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt pathway, which provides a direct link between Akt and the family of stress‐activated kinases.
Molecular Machines Regulating the Release Probability of Synaptic Vesicles at the Active Zone

The fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs) with the plasma membrane of the active zone (AZ) upon arrival of an action potential (AP) at the presynaptic compartment is a tightly regulated probabilistic process crucial for information transfer. The probability of a SV to release its transmitter content in response to an AP, termed release probability (Pr), is highly diverse both at the level of entire synapses and individual SVs at a given synapse. Differences in Pr exist between different types of synapses, between synapses of the same type, synapses originating from the same axon and even between different SV subpopulations within the same presynaptic terminal. The Pr of SVs at the AZ is set by a complex interplay of different presynaptic properties including the availability of release-ready SVs, the location of the SVs relative to the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) at the AZ, the magnitude of calcium influx upon arrival of the AP, the buffering of calcium ions as well as the identity and sensitivity of the calcium sensor. These properties are not only interconnected, but can also be regulated dynamically to match the requirements of activity patterns mediated by the synapse. Here, we review recent advances in identifying molecules and molecular machines taking part in the determination of vesicular Pr at the AZ.
Improved Survival and Reduced Vascular Permeability by Eliminating or Blocking 12/15-Lipoxygenase in Mouse Models of Acute Lung Injury (ALI)1

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a prevalent disease associated with high mortality. 12/15-lipoxygenase (12/15-LO) is an enzyme producing 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) and 15-HETE from arachidonic acid. To test whether 12/15-LO is involved in increasing vascular permeability in the lung, we investigated the role of 12/15-LO in murine models of LPS-induced pulmonary inflammation and clinically relevant acid-induced ALI. The vascular permeability increase upon LPS inhalation was abolished in Alox15−/− mice lacking 12/15-LO and in wild-type mice after pharmacological blockade of 12/15-LO. Alox15−/− mice also showed improved gas exchange, reduced permeability increase, and prolonged survival in the acid-induced ALI model. Bone marrow chimeras and reconstitution experiments revealed that 12-HETE produced by hematopoietic cells regulates vascular permeability through a CXCR2-dependent mechanism. Our findings suggest that 12/15-LO-derived 12-HETE is a key mediator of vascular permeability in acute lung injury.
Heating of the intracluster medium by quasar outflows

We study the possibility of quasar outflows in clusters and groups of galaxies heating the intracluster gas in order to explain the recent observation of excess entropy in this gas. We show that radio galaxies alone cannot provide the energy required to explain the observations but the inclusion of Broad Absorption Line (BAL) outflows can do so, and that in this scenario most of the heating takes place atz ∼ 1–4, the “preheating” epoch being at a lower redshift for lower mass clusters.
Arabidopsis TAO1 is a TIR-NB-LRR protein that contributes to disease resistance induced by the Pseudomonas syringae effector AvrB

The type III effector protein encoded by avirulence gene B (AvrB) is delivered into plant cells by pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas syringae. There, it localizes to the plasma membrane and triggers immunity mediated by the Arabidopsis coiled-coil (CC)-nucleotide binding (NB)-leucine-rich repeat (LRR) disease resistance protein RPM1. The sequence unrelated type III effector avirulence protein encoded by avirulence gene Rpm1 (AvrRpm1) also activates RPM1. AvrB contributes to virulence after delivery from P. syringae in leaves of susceptible soybean plants, and AvrRpm1 does the same in Arabidopsis rpm1 plants. Conditional overexpression of AvrB in rpm1 plants results in leaf chlorosis. In a genetic screen for mutants that lack AvrB-dependent chlorosis in an rpm1 background, we isolated TAO1 (target of AvrB operation), which encodes a Toll-IL-1 receptor (TIR)-NB-LRR disease resistance protein. In rpm1 plants, TAO1 function results in the expression of the pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR-1) gene, suggestive of a defense response. In RPM1 plants, TAO1 contributes to disease resistance in response to Pto (P. syringae pathovars tomato) DC3000(avrB), but not against Pto DC3000(avrRpm1). The tao1–5 mutant allele, a stop mutation in the LRR domain of TAO1, posttranscriptionally suppresses RPM1 accumulation. These data provide evidence of genetically separable disease resistance responses to AvrB and AvrRpm1 in Arabidopsis. AvrB activates both RPM1, a CC-NB-LRR protein, and TAO1, a TIR-NB-LRR protein. These NB-LRR proteins then act additively to generate a full disease resistance response to P. syringae expressing this type III effector.
A corpus-based analysis of the discursive construction of gender identities via abusive language

This thesis investigates the discursive construction of gender identities through the use of abusive language in YouTube comments sections. The study attempts to answer the following overarching research question: How is abusive language used in the construction of gendered identities by Arabic-speaking posters on YouTube? A corpus of more than 2 million words of YouTube comments is constructed to study discourses involving terms of abuse and abusive swearing targeted at males and females. These discourses are analysed by utilising a combination of tools. Target descriptors and activation/passivation are used to examine the roles constructed for men and for women. Differential usage of abusive language is investigated by looking at the (non)existence of corresponding masculine and feminine terms of abuse, the behaviour of gendered terms of abuse in different domains, and contrastive collocation of masculine/feminine-marked words. The pragmatic functions of abusive language are studied by examining cultural scripts of abusive language against men and women. The main method used in this thesis is a qualitative analysis of concordance lines where the terms of abuse occur. However, frequency analysis is also employed, to produce a wordlist of masculine- and feminine-marked terms of abuse and to compare the frequencies of terms of abuse in my corpus. The results show that men and women are represented as having different identities. Men are mainly constructed as the social actors who have and abuse power (especially in relation to politics and religion). On the other hand, sexual morality is discursively constructed as the most integral component of female gender identity.
Characteristics of MIMO Channel in Consideration of Polarization

We constructed a MIMO channel model under the consideration of spatial correlation and polarization. The process of modeling for MIMO channel based on special correlation was deduced. And then a new influence matrix of polarization was constructed to describe the characteristics of power-imbalance and polarization un-matching at the receiving side. Simulation result shows that the new influence matrix can well depict the characteristics of polarization factors in MIMO channel. When the value of XPD is low, the capacity of MIMO channel using cross polarized antennas is lower than that of using single-polarized antennas because of the power-imbalance. And when XPD value increases, polarization un-matching occurs on single polarized antennas, but never occurs on cross polarized antennas. And also using cross polarized antennas can increase MIMO channel capacity for low spatial correlation.
Two-Photon Counting interferometry

Two-photon counting (TPC) interferometry has been realized by measuring the electrical current due to two-photon absorption in the space charge layer of a semiconductor detector located at the output port of an interferometer. We apply this technique to study the correlation properties of twin beams issued from parametric fluorescence. We describe in details how the different second-order correlation functions (interbeam, intrabeam) can be extracted at the femtosecond timescale from raw data. The values of these correlation functions determined by our experiments are in excellent agreement with theory. More precisely, extrabunching in twin beams is unambiguously demonstrated and theoretically described using two models: a comprehensive multimode quantum optics model and a simpler classical stochastic approach. Given the high brightness of our twin-beam source, both theories yield similar results. Finally, convenient analytical expressions of the correlation functions were derived from both theories, expressions in which we have been able to relate specific terms to accidental and exact coincidences between photons. Two-photon interferometry thus determines to which extent twin photons are twin. This technique should become a useful tool for future quantum optics developments.
Comparative biology of pollination systems in the African-Malagasy genus Brownleea (Brownleeinae: Orchidaceae)

The role of pollinators in the evolution of the African-Malagasy orchid genus Brownleea (Brownleeinae) was investigated. Taxa show specialization for pollination by bees (B. parviflora, B. recurvata), short-proboscid flies (B. galpinii), and long-proboscid flies (B. macroceras, B. coerulea). All species in the genus produce nectar, but some (B. coerulea, B. galpinii) appear to mimic flowers of abundant sympatric species as an additional strategy to attract pollinators. Species investigated in terms of their breeding systems (B. coerulea, B. parviflora, B. macroceras, B. galpinii) are reliant on pollinator visits for seed production. Self-pollination results in strong inbreeding depression during embryo formation. A phylogeny of the genus, constructed using data from the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and morphology, indicates that fly pollination is likely to be basal in the genus, and that there has been a single shift to bee pollination. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 156, 65‐78.
Comparing Methods for Scoring Personality Disorder Types Using Maladaptive Traits in DSM-5

The DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.) Section III will include an alternative hybrid system for the diagnosis of personality disorder (PD). This alternative system defines PD types partly through specific combinations of maladaptive traits, rather than by using a set of polythetic diagnostic criteria. The current report utilizes a large sample of undergraduates (n = 1,159) to examine three dimensional methods for comparing an individual’s trait profile to each PD type. We found that the sum of an individual’s scores on the assigned traits obtained large convergent correlations (Mdn r =.61) and best reproduced the patterns of PD discriminant correlations observed within the DSM-IV measure. We also tested the DSM-5 Section III model algorithms and compared them with different thresholds for assigning categorical diagnoses. Frequency rates using the algorithms were greatly reduced, whereas requiring half of the assigned traits produced rates that more closely approximated current prevalence estimates. Our research suggests that DSM-5 Section III trait model can reproduce the DSM-IV-TR PD constructs and identifies effective methods of doing so.
Neural networks based approach for fine tracking in satellite navigation systems

In this paper a novel method to solve the fine synchronization problem in GLASS receivers is presented. In fact the extended evolution of GLASS-based applications will imply the growth of fast and precise navigation systems. The aim of this study is to found an alternative solution to the classical non-coherent delay lock loop. In particular, the proposed method, based on self organizing map (SOM) a particular type of neural networks, allows to improve the performances in multipath channel.
Avaliação neuropsicológica das funções executivas: tendências desenvolvimentais e evidências de validade de instrumentos

Funcoes executivas (FE) designam um conjunto de habilidades, incluindo atencao seletiva, flexibilidade cognitiva, controle inibitorio, planejamento, monitoramento e memoria de trabalho, dentre outros, cuja funcao e regular e controlar comportamentos orientados a metas. Ha evidencias de que estas habilidades seguem distintas trajetorias desenvolvimentais, sendo que algumas ainda estao em pleno desenvolvimento ate a idade adulta inicial. Destarte, este estudo tem por objetivo investigar tendencias de desenvolvimento dos diferentes processos que integram as FE em criancas e adolescentes, buscando evidencias de validade de instrumentos de avaliacao neuropsicologica de tais habilidades. Participaram 572 criancas e adolescentes com idades entre 6 e 14 anos, estudantes de 1a a 8a serie de duas escolas publicas de uma cidade do interior de SP. Foram utilizados os instrumentos: Teste de Memoria de Trabalho Auditiva, Teste de Memoria de Trabalho Visual, Teste de Atencao por Cancelamento, Teste de Trilhas partes A e B, Teste de Geracao Semântica, Teste de Stroop Computadorizado, Torre de Londres e Teste de Fluencia Verbal FAS. Os instrumentos Teste de Atencao por Cancelamento, Teste de Trilhas partes A e B foram aplicados coletivamente; os demais, individualmente. Analises de Variância e de Kruskal-Wallis revelaram efeito da idade sobre os desempenhos em todos os instrumentos. Verificou-se que as habilidades avaliadas seguem cursos desenvolvimentais levemente distintos, a maioria iniciando um desenvolvimento mais abrupto entre os 9 e 10 anos. Analise de Mann-Whitney evidenciou que as meninas foram melhores que os meninos nas medidas de memoria de trabalho auditiva, atencao alternada e fluencia verbal. Diversas correlacoes significativas foram evidenciadas entre os desempenhos, a maioria delas de baixas a moderadas, corroborando a literatura no que tange a nocao de unidade e diversidade das FE. Analise Fatorial exploratoria retornou uma solucao de dois fatores e analises de regressao possibilitaram a constatacao de que as habilidades executivas podem contribuir de modo diferencial ao desempenho em tarefas complexas, como o Teste de Fluencia Verbal FAS e Teste da Torre de Londres. Deste modo, o estudo proveu contribuicoes ao conhecimento sobre FE e seu desenvolvimento, bem como derivou evidencias de validade aos diversos instrumentos e, espera-se, possa expandir sua contribuicao a futura disponibilizacao de instrumentos adequados a avaliacao do construto.
Linear ordering preferences in Japanese: Implications for current production models

The arrangement of the digger teeth of an excavating bucket of a bucket wheel excavator is described, wherein the excavating bucket is equipped with replaceable corner, center and side teeth of identical construction and dimensions, but which are mounted with respect to the upper edge of the excavating bucket in different angular relationships. The configuration of a digger tooth for use in this arrangement is also included.
A Sensor Fusion Method for Tracking Vertical Velocity and Height Based on Inertial and Barometric Altimeter Measurements

A sensor fusion method was developed for vertical channel stabilization by fusing inertial measurements from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and pressure altitude measurements from a barometric altimeter integrated in the same device (baro-IMU). An Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) estimated the quaternion from the sensor frame to the navigation frame; the sensed specific force was rotated into the navigation frame and compensated for gravity, yielding the vertical linear acceleration; finally, a complementary filter driven by the vertical linear acceleration and the measured pressure altitude produced estimates of height and vertical velocity. A method was also developed to condition the measured pressure altitude using a whitening filter, which helped to remove the short-term correlation due to environment-dependent pressure changes from raw pressure altitude. The sensor fusion method was implemented to work on-line using data from a wireless baro-IMU and tested for the capability of tracking low-frequency small-amplitude vertical human-like motions that can be critical for stand-alone inertial sensor measurements. Validation tests were performed in different experimental conditions, namely no motion, free-fall motion, forced circular motion and squatting. Accurate on-line tracking of height and vertical velocity was achieved, giving confidence to the use of the sensor fusion method for tracking typical vertical human motions: velocity Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was in the range 0.04–0.24 m/s; height RMSE was in the range 5–68 cm, with statistically significant performance gains when the whitening filter was used by the sensor fusion method to track relatively high-frequency vertical motions.
Destruction of cognitive and noncognitive skills in adulthood

The formation of cognitive and noncognitive skills in adulthood has been scarcely studied in the economic and psychological literature. The lack of studies addressing this production process is explained in part by past results pointing to the stabilization of skills at the last years of adolescence. However, recent evidence supports the malleability of skills during adulthood. Following the latter strand of the literature, we identify events associated with the destruction of skills during this age. Furthermore, we evaluate the effects of the skills dynamics on labor market outcomes such as wages and employability. We extend the model of formation of skills (Cunha and others , 2010) and estimate it in its reduced form using the 1970 British Cohort Study. Results show that three or more months of unemployment are related to a decrease of 0.15 SD of skills level.