Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multifaceted empathy of healthy volunteers after single doses of MDMA: A pooled sample of placebo-controlled studies

Previous placebo-controlled experimental studies have shown that a single dose of MDMA can increase emotional empathy in the multifaceted empathy test (MET) without affecting cognitive empathy. Although sufficiently powered to detect main effects of MDMA, these studies were generally underpowered to also validly assess contributions of additional parameters, such as sex, drug use history, trait empathy and MDMA or oxytocin plasma concentrations. The present study examined the robustness of the MDMA effect on empathy and investigated the moderating role of these additional parameters. Participants (n = 118) from six placebo-controlled within-subject studies and two laboratories were included in the present pooled analysis. Empathy (MET), MDMA and oxytocin plasma concentrations were assessed after oral administration of MDMA (single dose, 75 or 125 mg). Trait empathy was assessed using the interpersonal reactivity index. We confirmed that MDMA increased emotional empathy at both doses without affecting cognitive empathy. This MDMA-related increase in empathy was most pronounced during presentation of positive emotions as compared with negative emotions. MDMA-induced empathy enhancement was positively related to MDMA blood concentrations measured before the test, but independent of sex, drug use history and trait empathy. Oxytocin concentrations increased after MDMA administration but were not associated with behavioral effects. The MDMA effects on emotional empathy were stable across laboratories and doses. Sex did not play a moderating role in this effect, and oxytocin levels, trait empathy and drug use history were also unrelated. Acute drug exposure was of significant relevance in the MDMA-induced emotional empathy elevation.
Improving the transparency of a rehabilitation robot by exploiting the cyclic behaviour of walking

To promote active participation of neurological patients during robotic gait training, controllers, such as “assist as needed” or “cooperative control”, are suggested. Apart from providing support, these controllers also require that the robot should be capable of resembling natural, unsupported, walking. This means that they should have a transparent mode, where the interaction forces between the human and the robot are minimal. Traditional feedback-control algorithms do not exploit the cyclic nature of walking to improve the transparency of the robot. The purpose of this study was to improve the transparent mode of robotic devices, by developing two controllers that use the rhythmic behavior of gait. Both controllers use adaptive frequency oscillators and kernel-based non-linear filters. Kernel-based non-linear filters can be used to estimate signals and their time derivatives, as a function of the gait phase. The first controller learns the motor angle, associated with a certain joint angle pattern, and acts as a feed-forward controller to improve the torque tracking (including the zero-torque mode). The second controller learns the state of the mechanical system and compensates for the dynamical effects (e.g. the acceleration of robot masses). Both controllers have been tested separately and in combination on a small subject population. Using the feedforward controller resulted in an improved torque tracking of at least 52 percent at the hip joint, and 61 percent at the knee joint. When both controllers were active simultaneously, the interaction power between the robot and the human leg was reduced by at least 40 percent at the thigh, and 43 percent at the shank. These results indicate that: if a robotic task is cyclic, the torque tracking and transparency can be improved by exploiting the predictions of adaptive frequency oscillator and kernel-based nonlinear filters.
Nutrient Loads In An Urban Ozark Watershed: Jordan, Fassnight And Upper Wilson's Creeks, Springfield, Missouri

As with any intellectual project, the content and views expressed in this thesis may be considered objectionable by some readers. However, this student-scholar’s work has been judged to have academic value by the student’s thesis committee members trained in the discipline. The content and views expressed in this thesis are those of the student-scholar and are not endorsed by Missouri State University, its Graduate College, or its employees.
Design of Core/Shell Colloidal Quantum Dots for MEG Solar Cells

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are the subject of intensive research worldwide due to a number of novel properties, which make them of interest for both fundamental science and technological applications. QDs are of particular interest for solar cell applications due to their ability to increase efficiency via the generation of multiexcitons from a single photon. The efficiency of multiexciton generation (MEG) in colloidal QDs is determined by the competition between MEG and other hot electron-cooling processes. Core/shell QDs with type-II band alignment offers extra degrees of freedom in mediating both the optical dipoles and the Coulomb interaction between charges in such structures for the benefit of elevated MEG efficiency.
Linear Regression-Based Efficient SVM Learning for Large-Scale Classification

For large-scale classification tasks, especially in the classification of images, additive kernels have shown a state-of-the-art accuracy. However, even with the recent development of fast algorithms, learning speed and the ability to handle large-scale tasks are still open problems. This paper proposes algorithms for large-scale support vector machines (SVM) classification and other tasks using additive kernels. First, a linear regression SVM framework for general nonlinear kernel is proposed using linear regression to approximate gradient computations in the learning process. Second, we propose a power mean SVM (PmSVM) algorithm for all additive kernels using nonsymmetric explanatory variable functions. This nonsymmetric kernel approximation has advantages over the existing methods: 1) it does not require closed-form Fourier transforms and 2) it does not require extra training for the approximation either. Compared on benchmark large-scale classification data sets with millions of examples or millions of dense feature dimensions, PmSVM has achieved the highest learning speed and highest accuracy among recent algorithms in most cases.
Nationwide trends in glucose-lowering drug use, Denmark, 1999–2014

Purpose The objective of this study was to examine nationwide population-based time trends in the utilization of all glucose-lowering drugs in Denmark from 1999 to 2014. Methods Based on nationwide data from the Register of Medicinal Products Statistics, we retrieved sales statistics on glucose-lowering drugs and reported the total number of users and the prevalence of users per 1,000 inhabitants in 1-year intervals for all glucose-lowering drug classes. Results The annual prevalence of glucose-lowering drug users increased more than twofold from 19 per 1,000 inhabitants in 1999 (n=98,362) to 41 per 1,000 in 2014 (n=233,230). Metformin use increased more than sevenfold during the period and was used by 30 of 1,000 inhabitants in 2014, while the prevalence of insulin use increased 1.8-fold to 13 per 1,000 in 2014. After peaking in 2007, use of sulfonylurea halved to 6 per 1,000 in 2014. Newer drug classes including the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists, the dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors, and the sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors had reached a considerable position by 2014, with 4 per 1,000, 6 per 1,000, and 0.8 per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively; however, the use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in elderly people remained low. Thiazolidinediones decreased to virtually no use (0.03 per 1,000) in 2014. Conclusion The use of glucose-lowering drugs has doubled during 1999–2014. The pattern of glucose-lowering drug use has changed substantially reflecting the recommendations of metformin as first-line treatment. The newer glucose-lowering drug classes have been well received.
Silico Identification of Human Gene Core Promoters in

References http://genome.cshlp. org/content/8/3/319.full. html#ref-list-1 This article cites 15 articles, 10 of which can be accessed free at: License Commons Creative http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/. described at a Creative Commons License (Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License), as ). After six months, it is available under http://genome.cshlp. org/site/misc/terms.xhtml first six months after the full-issue publication date (see This article is distributed exclusively by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press for the
The Influence of Story Context on a Working Memory Span Task

The purpose of the present study was to examine factors that could influence whether recall performance in the reading span task (Daneman & Carpenter, 1980) would benefit from the contextual information from the sentences in the processing component of the task. More specifically, we investigated whether people would benefit from sentence sets that formed short stories or when the entire span task was one continuous story. Overall, there was a clear benefit for contextually related sentence sets (i.e., the story span tasks) compared to the traditional reading span task. However, the benefit was eliminated when the entire set formed one continuous story. These results support the recall reconstruction hypothesis for working memory (Towse, Cowan, Hitch, & Horton, 2008), which suggests that people may strategically use the content of the sentences from the processing component of the reading span task as memorial cues to reconstruct the target words of the storage component. However, this benefit is constrained to scenarios when the contextual cues are unique to a specific set.
Retroactivity in the Context of Modularly Structured Biomolecular Systems

Synthetic biology has intensively promoted the technical implementation of modular strategies in the fabrication of biological devices. Modules are considered as networks of reactions. The behavior displayed by biomolecular systems results from the information processes carried out by the interconnection of the involved modules. However, in natural systems, module wiring is not a free-of-charge process; as a consequence of interconnection, a reactive phenomenon called retroactivity emerges. This phenomenon is characterized by signals that propagate from downstream modules (the modules that receive the incoming signals upon interconnection) to upstream ones (the modules that send the signals upon interconnection). Such retroactivity signals, depending of their strength, may change and sometimes even disrupt the behavior of modular biomolecular systems. Thus, analysis of retroactivity effects in natural biological and biosynthetic systems is crucial to achieve a deeper understanding of how this interconnection between functionally characterized modules takes place and how it impacts the overall behavior of the involved cell. By discussing the modules interconnection in natural and synthetic biomolecular systems, we propose that such systems should be considered as quasi-modular.
Safety Measures and Health Issues among Pesticide Applicators in Foumbot Agricultural Area, West Region, Cameroon

Several reports have raised the misuse of pesticides in the protection of crops in the Foumbot agricultural area. This study aims at evaluating the health status of pesticide operators in the said area. 127 farmers were interviewed out of which 30 were selected for medical check-up. A diagnostic was done on the liver status and a physical checkup on the eyes, the respiratory system and the skin of 30 selected pesticide applicators following the medical laboratory routine examination. The skin of users was diagnosed for itching, prickling, irritation and burns; the eyes for sight troubles, stinging, wateriness; the respiratory system for catarrh, cough , difficulties in breathing and chest constriction; the liver status was estimated using two enzymes: Aspartate Amino-Transferase (ASAT) and Alanine Amino-Transferase (ALT). As results: pesticides used are from three main classes and belong to classes II and III toxicity: insecticides (cypermethrin, most used), fungicides (ethylenebisdithiocarbamates) and herbicides (paraquat and glyphosate). 40% of workers showed liver alteration, the skin of workers was affected and revealed itching, prickling, irritation and burns; the eyes showed sight troubles, stinging and wet eyes; the respiratory system was affected with catarrh, cough, difficulties in breathing and chest constriction; 40% of workers showed liver alteration. The poor safety measures observed affects the health of workers. Pesticide users in the Foumbot agricultural area manifested symptoms and signs related to pesticide effects on human beings. A study is now needed to do a follow-up on a particular group of people for a long term toxicity study.
The Extent and Regulation of Summer Methane Oxidation in Northern Lakes

Inland waters have a significant influence on atmospheric methane (CH4) levels. However, processes determining the strength of CH4 emissions from these systems are not well defined. Aerobic oxidation is a major sink of CH4 in freshwater environments and thus an important determinant of aquatic CH4 emissions, yet strikingly little is known about its drivers. Here we assessed the extent of water column CH4 oxidation at the whole ecosystem scale using stable carbon isotopic (δ13C) mass balance of CH4 in 14 northern lakes spanning wide range of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations. We show that the extent of oxidation can vary from near zero to near complete, and for concentrations of 1.9–11 mg/L, DOC is a key modulator of CH4 oxidation during the summer stratification period. Increasing DOC concentrations enhances oxidation in the upper layers by reducing light inhibition on methanotrophic activity, while reducing oxygen available for oxidation in the deeper layers. The effect of this light inhibition was also observable over the diurnal cycle. We developed simple predictive empirical models (r2 > 0.82) to estimate the extent of oxidation in the different layers of lakes for the summer period. Applying our surface layer model to a larger data set suggests that about 30% of CH4 transported to or generated within the epilimnion of Québec lakes is oxidized during summer. Our results imply that DOC concentration, through its effect on the light regime of lakes, has the potential to affect strongly the magnitude and patterns of summer CH4 emissions.
New Experiments in Distributional Representations of Synonymy

Recent work on the problem of detecting synonymy through corpus analysis has used the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as a benchmark. However, this test involves as few as 80 questions, prompting questions regarding the statistical significance of reported results. We overcome this limitation by generating a TOEFL-like test using WordNet, containing thousands of questions and composed only of words occurring with sufficient corpus frequency to support sound distributional comparisons. Experiments with this test lead us to a similarity measure which significantly outperforms the best proposed to date. Analysis suggests that a strength of this measure is its relative robustness against polysemy.
The Metabotropic Purinergic P2Y Receptor Family as Novel Drug Target in Epilepsy

Epilepsy encompasses a heterogeneous group of neurological syndromes which are characterized by recurrent seizures affecting over 60 million people worldwide. Current anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are mainly designed to target ion channels and/or GABA or glutamate receptors. Despite recent advances in drug development, however, pharmacoresistance in epilepsy remains as high as 30%, suggesting the need for the development of new AEDs with a non-classical mechanism of action. Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as one of the key players in seizure generation and in the maintenance of the epileptic phenotype. Consequently, targeting signaling molecules involved in inflammatory processes may represent new avenues to improve treatment in epilepsy. Nucleotides such as adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) and uridine-5′-triphosphate (UTP) are released in the brain into the extracellular space during pathological conditions such as increased neuronal firing or cell death. Once released, these nucleotides bind to and activate specific purinergic receptors termed P2 receptors where they mediate the release of gliotransmitters and drive neuronal hyperexcitation and neuroinflammatory processes. This includes the fast acting ionotropic P2X channels and slower-acting G-protein-coupled P2Y receptors. While the expression and function of P2X receptors has been well-established in experimental models of epilepsy, emerging evidence is now also suggesting a prominent role for the P2Y receptor subfamily in seizure generation and the maintenance of epilepsy. In this review we discuss data supporting a role for the P2Y receptor family in epilepsy and the most recent finding demonstrating their involvement during seizure-induced pathology and in epilepsy.
Transfection of microRNA Mimics Should Be Used with Caution

Transient transfection of chemically synthesized microRNA (miRNA) mimics is being used extensively to study the functions and mechanisms of endogenous miRNAs. However, it remains unclear whether transfected miRNAs behave similarly to endogenous miRNAs. Here we show that transient transfection of miRNA mimics into HeLa cells by a commonly used method led to the accumulation of high molecular weight RNA species and a few hundred fold increase in mature miRNA levels. In contrast, expression of the same miRNAs through lentiviral infection or plasmid transfection of HeLa cells, transgenic expression in primary lymphocytes, and endogenous overexpression in lymphoma and leukemia cell lines did not lead to the appearance of high molecular weight RNA species. The increase of mature miRNA levels in these cells was below 10-fold, which was sufficient to suppress target gene expression and to drive lymphoma development in mice. Moreover, transient transfection of miRNA mimics at high concentrations caused non-specific alterations in gene expression, while at low concentrations achieved expression levels comparable to other methods but failed to efficiently suppress target gene expression. Small RNA deep sequencing analysis revealed that the guide strands of miRNA mimics were frequently mutated, while unnatural passenger strands of some miRNA mimics accumulated to high levels. The high molecular weight RNA species were a heterogeneous mixture of several classes of RNA species generated by concatemerization, 5′- and 3′-end tailing of miRNA mimics. We speculate that the supraphysiological levels of mature miRNAs and these artifactual RNA species led to non-specific changes in gene expression. Our results have important implications for the design and interpretation of experiments primarily employing transient transfection of miRNA mimics.
Calcium-Handling Abnormalities Underlying Atrial Arrhythmogenesis and Contractile Dysfunction in Dogs With Congestive Heart Failure

Background—Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a common cause of atrial fibrillation. Focal sources of unknown mechanism have been described in CHF-related atrial fibrillation. The authors hypothesized that abnormal calcium (Ca2+) handling contributes to the CHF-related atrial arrhythmogenic substrate. Methods and Results—CHF was induced in dogs by ventricular tachypacing (240 bpm ×2 weeks). Cellular Ca2+-handling properties and expression/phosphorylation status of key Ca2+ handling and myofilament proteins were assessed in control and CHF atria. CHF decreased cell shortening but increased left atrial diastolic intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), [Ca2+]i transient amplitude, and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load (caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i release). SR Ca2+ overload was associated with spontaneous Ca2+ transient events and triggered ectopic activity, which was suppressed by the inhibition of SR Ca2+ release (ryanodine) or Na+/Ca2+ exchange. Mechanisms underlying abnormal SR Ca2+ handling were then studied. CHF increased atrial action potential duration and action potential voltage clamp showed that CHF-like action potentials enhance Ca2+i loading. CHF increased calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II phosphorylation of phospholamban by 120%, potentially enhancing SR Ca2+ uptake by reducing phospholamban inhibition of SR Ca2+ ATPase, but it did not affect phosphorylation of SR Ca2+-release channels (RyR2). Total RyR2 and calsequestrin (main SR Ca2+-binding protein) expression were significantly reduced, by 65% and 15%, potentially contributing to SR dysfunction. CHF decreased expression of total and protein kinase A–phosphorylated myosin-binding protein C (a key contractile filament regulator) by 27% and 74%, potentially accounting for decreased contractility despite increased Ca2+ transients. Complex phosphorylation changes were explained by enhanced calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II&dgr; expression and function and type-1 protein-phosphatase activity but downregulated regulatory protein kinase A subunits. Conclusions—CHF causes profound changes in Ca2+-handling and -regulatory proteins that produce atrial fibrillation–promoting atrial cardiomyocyte Ca2+-handling abnormalities, arrhythmogenic triggered activity, and contractile dysfunction.
The effect of GnRH analogues for pituitary suppression on ovarian response in repeated ovarian stimulation cycles

Introduction Ovarian stimulation is employed in assisted reproduction techniques in order to obtain as many oocytes as possible. The early rise in oestradiol levels may lead to the premature end of the respective cycle. In order to avoid such an effect, pituitary suppression has been employed. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether maintenance or replacement of the type of GnRH analogue (i.e., agonist or antagonist) employed for pituitary suppression in the consecutive intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycle would negatively influence oocyte quality and ICSI outcome. Material and methods A retrospective observational study was conducted including 181 women with primary infertility. Patients were divided into four different groups according to the GnRH analogue used for pituitary suppression in the first and consecutive cycle. Results When a GnRH agonist was employed for pituitary suppression in the first cycle, the consecutive cycle showed comparable outcomes when performed with either a GnRH agonist or a GnRH antagonist. When the first cycle was performed with a GnRH antagonist, the use of the GnRH agonist in the successive cycle led to an increased number of oocytes retrieved (7.5% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.032) and the production of a higher number of embryos (4.5% vs. 6.3%, p = 0.036). Conclusions When the first cycle is carried out with a GnRH antagonist, the use of a GnRH agonist in the successive cycle would lead to increased numbers of oocytes collected and embryos produced.
Pattern operators for grid environments

A pattern based approach for developing applications in a Grid computing environment is presented, and is based on the ability to manage components and their interactions. The approach provides a formal way of combining recurrent themes in Grid applications, and provides a set of operators that may be used to manipulate the patterns. The operators may be applied to individual patterns or groups, and may be managed as an independent library. The patterns distinguish between service providers and users, and may be used to also analyse the properties of a collection of components, or to vary these properties subject to a set of predefined constraints. Patterns are expressed in the Unified Modelling Language (UML), and operators correspond to manipulation of components within each pattern.