Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons and Striatal Cholinergic Interneurons Encode the Difference between Reward and Aversive Events at Different Epochs of Probabilistic Classical Conditioning Trials

Midbrain dopaminergic neurons (DANs) typically increase their discharge rate in response to appetitive predictive cues and outcomes, whereas striatal cholinergic tonically active interneurons (TANs) decrease their rate. This may indicate that the activity of TANs and DANs is negatively correlated and that TANs can broaden the basal ganglia reinforcement teaching signal, for instance by encoding worse than predicted events. We studied the activity of 106 DANs and 180 TANs of two monkeys recorded during the performance of a classical conditioning task with cues predicting the probability of food, neutral, and air puff outcomes. DANs responded to all cues with elevations of discharge rate, whereas TANs depressed their discharge rate. Nevertheless, although dopaminergic responses to appetitive cues were larger than their responses to neutral or aversive cues, the TAN responses were more similar. Both TANs and DANs responded faster to an air puff than to a food outcome; however, DANs responded with a discharge elevation, whereas the TAN responses included major negative and positive deflections. Finally, food versus air puff omission was better encoded by TANs. In terms of the activity of single neurons with distinct responses to the different behavioral events, both DANs and TANs were more strongly modulated by reward than by aversive related events and better reflected the probability of reward than aversive outcome. Thus, TANs and DANs encode the task episodes differentially. The DANs encode mainly the cue and outcome delivery, whereas the TANs mainly encode outcome delivery and omission at termination of the behavioral trial episode.
Increased 5-HT Levels Following Repeated Administration of Nigella sativa L. (Black Seed) Oil Produce Antidepressant Effects in Rats

The seeds of Nigella sativa L. , commonly known as black seed or black cumin, and its extracts are used in folk medicine in the Middle East and in Asian countries for the promotion of good health and as a remedy for many ailments. These seeds have many acclaimed medicinal properties such as broncho-dilatory, immunopotentiating, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and hypotensive. In the present study, the antidepressant activity following the repeated administration of Nigella sativa L. oil has been monitored using the forced swim test. Rats treated with Nigella sativa L. oil exhibited a significant increase in struggling time after oral administration of Nigella sativa L. oil (0.1 ml/kg/day) for four weeks. Nigella sativa L. oil increased brain 5-HT levels and decreased 5-HT turnover (5-HT/5-HIAA ratio). Levels of tryptophan increased significantly in the brain and plasma following the repeated administration of Nigella sativa L. oil. Nigella sativa L. oil showed a potential antidepressant-like effect.
Gold Nanoparticles as Radiation Sensitizers in Cancer Therapy

Abstract Among other nanoparticle systems, gold nanoparticles have been explored as radiosensitizers. While most of the research in this area has focused on either gold nanoparticles with diameters of less than 2 nm or particles with micrometer dimensions, it has been shown that nanoparticles 50 nm in diameter have the highest cellular uptake. We present the results of in vitro studies that focus on the radiosensitization properties of nanoparticles in the size range from 14–74 nm. Radiosensitization was dependent on the number of gold nanoparticles internalized within the cells. Gold nanoparticles 50-nm in diameter showed the highest radiosensitization enhancement factor (REF) (1.43 at 220 kVp) compared to gold nanoparticles of 14 and 74 nm (1.20 and 1.26, respectively). Using 50-nm gold nanoparticles, the REF for lower- (105 kVp) and higher- (6 MVp) energy photons was 1.66 and 1.17, respectively. DNA double-strand breaks were quantified using radiation-induced foci of γ-H2AX and 53BP1, and a modest increase in the number of foci per nucleus was observed in irradiated cell populations with internalized gold nanoparticles. The outcome of this research will enable the optimization of gold nanoparticle-based sensitizers for use in therapy.
Magnetic Forces and DNA Mechanics in Multiplexed Magnetic Tweezers

Magnetic tweezers (MT) are a powerful tool for the study of DNA-enzyme interactions. Both the magnet-based manipulation and the camera-based detection used in MT are well suited for multiplexed measurements. Here, we systematically address challenges related to scaling of multiplexed magnetic tweezers (MMT) towards high levels of parallelization where large numbers of molecules (say 103) are addressed in the same amount of time required by a single-molecule measurement. We apply offline analysis of recorded images and show that this approach provides a scalable solution for parallel tracking of the xyz-positions of many beads simultaneously. We employ a large field-of-view imaging system to address many DNA-bead tethers in parallel. We model the 3D magnetic field generated by the magnets and derive the magnetic force experienced by DNA-bead tethers across the large field of view from first principles. We furthermore experimentally demonstrate that a DNA-bead tether subject to a rotating magnetic field describes a bicircular, Limaçon rotation pattern and that an analysis of this pattern simultaneously yields information about the force angle and the position of attachment of the DNA on the bead. Finally, we apply MMT in the high-throughput investigation of the distribution of the induced magnetic moment, the position of attachment of DNA on the beads, and DNA flexibility. The methods described herein pave the way to kilo-molecule level magnetic tweezers experiments.
A Preliminary Investigation of Factors Associated With Job Loss Grief

This study investigated relationships among factors hypothesized as related to job loss grief. A summary grief score correlated positively with time since job loss and number of dependents, and negatively with length of notice. Perceived reemployment prospects and income loss related positively to some grief index subscales, as did the condition of living on one's own. Job duration correlated negatively with some grief responses. Implications for counseling and avenues for future research are discussed.
Evaluating EFEMP1 in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum as a Potential Diagnosis Biomarker for Meningiomas.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum levels of EGF containing fibulin-like extracellular matrix protein 1 (EFEMP1) in the patients with meningiomas and explore its potential as a biomarker. METHODS Forty-five patients with meningioma, 11 of whom underwent meningioma resection, as well as 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. CSF and blood samples were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. Expression levels of EFEMP1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate its discriminant ability. RESULTS CSF EFEMP1 levels were significantly higher in the CSF samples (p < 0.0001) and serum samples (p = 0.0056) of meningioma patients compared to controls. To distinguish meningioma patients from controls by CSF and serum EFEMP1 levels, ROC/AUC analysis indicated an AUC of 0.945 (sensitivity 0.933; specificity 0.833) and an AUC of 0.674 (sensitivity 0.867; specificity 0.400), respectively. Moreover, the postoperative CSF levels of EFEMP1 were significantly decreased compared to the preoperative levels (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS The present study suggested that elevated EFEMP1 levels might be a novel diagnostic biomarker for meningioma patients.
Primary Carcinoid Tumour of the Kidney: A Review of the Literature

Context. Primary renal carcinoid tumours are rare. Their pathogenesis is unknown and the clinical presentation is similar to other renal tumours thus posing diagnostic dilemmas for clinicians. Objectives. To review the literature for case reports of primary renal carcinoids. Methods. Literature was extensively searched for case reports for primary renal carcinoids. Reports of metastatic carcinoids to the kidneys were excluded. Results. Approximately less than 90 cases of primary carcinoid tumours of the kidney have been reported in the literature. A total of 29 cases of primary renal carcinoids were reviewed. The mean age of presentation was 48 years (range 29–75) with both right kidney (48.3%) and left kidney (44.8%) being equally affected. 28.6% of the cases reviewed were diagnosed as an incidental finding. The mean followup time was 20 months with 73.1% of patients without evidence of disease after surgical treatment (radical or partial nephrectomy). Primary carcinoid tumours of the kidney are often well differentiated tumours. They are often misdiagnosed because of their rarity and similar presentation with other renal tumours. Conclusions. Primary carcinoid tumours of the kidney are rare tumours with an indolent course with frequent metastasis. Metastatic work up and followup is required in their management.
Infinite-layer LaNiO 2 : Ni 1 + is

The Ni ion in LaNiO2 has the same formal ionic configuration 3d9 as does Cu in isostructural CaCuO2, but it is reported to be nonmagnetic and probably metallic whereas CaCuO2 is a magnetic insulator. From ab initio calculations we trace its individualistic behavior to (1) reduced 3d–2p mixing due to an increase of the separation of site energies s«d–«pd of at least 2 eV, and (2) important Ni 3ds3z2−r2d mixing with La 5ds3z2–r2d states that leads to Fermi surface pockets of La 5d character that hole dope the Ni 3d band. Correlation effects do not appear to be large in LaNiO2. However, ad hoc increase of the intra-atomic repulsion on the Ni site (using the LDA+U method) is found to lead to a correlated state: (i) the transition metal dsx2 −y2d and ds3z2−r2d states undergo consecutive Mott transitions; (ii) their moments are antialigned leading (ideally) to a “singlet” ion in which there are two polarized orbitals; and (iii) mixing of the upper Hubbard 3ds3z2–r2d band with the La 5dsxyd states leaves considerable transition metal 3d character in a band pinned to the Fermi level. The magnetic configuration is more indicative of a Ni2+ ion in this limit, although the actual charge changes little with U.
An approach to evaluating competence in assessing and managing violence risk.

OBJECTIVE The authors developed and evaluated a tool for assessing competency in violence risk assessment and management. METHODS The Competency Assessment Instrument for Violence Risk (CAI-V) was based on the literature on violence risk assessment, which was complemented by feedback from faculty focus groups. In an objective structured clinical examination, 31 faculty observers used the CAI-V to rate the performance of 31 learners' (26 psychiatry residents and five psychology interns) risk assessments of standardized (simulated) patients. In an interrater reliability study, six faculty members rated video-recorded risk assessments. RESULTS The CAI-V had good internal consistency reliability (α=.93). Senior learners performed better on the CAI-V than junior learners, supporting the instrument's concurrent validity. Interrater reliability was good (intraclass correlation coefficient=.93). Participants reported that the CAI-V provided a helpful structure for feedback and supervision. CONCLUSIONS The results supported the potential of this new approach for appraising competency in violence risk assessment and management.
Secondary School Transition and the Use of Different Sources of Information for the Construction of the Academic Self-concept

This study focuses on processes involved in students’ academic self-concept constructions before, during, and after secondary school transition. The study is based on a four-wave longitudinal dataset (N = 1953). Structural equation modeling showed that during school transition, the impact of grades on students’ academic self-concepts in Math and English decreased whereas the effects of maternal competence perceptions increased. After the transition, the effects of grades increased, while the effects maternal competence beliefs decreased again. The results are interpreted in terms of differential emphasizing of sources of information for students’ self-concept construction. During school transition, elementary school grades lost informational value for selfevaluations due to the changed frame of reference. To secure stable and valid selfassessments, students emphasized other sources than grades; in this, case information obtained through parental competence appraisals. After transition, when valid grades were available for the students’ constructions again, the temporarily heightened parental influence decreased again.
Neutron powder diffraction investigation on the crystal and magnetic structure of (Ho0.50+xCa0.50−x)(Mn1−xCrx)O3

The crystal and magnetic structure of (Ho0.50+xCa0.50−x)(Mn1−xCrx)O3 (x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03) has been investigated between 5 and 300 K by means of neutron powder diffraction followed by Rietveld refinement and dc magnetic measurements. During cooling an orthorhombic to monoclinic phase transition occurs on account of the charge and orbital ordering taking place in the Mn sub-lattice; at low temperature phase separation takes place and the main monoclinic phase coexists with a secondary orthorhombic phase, whose amount slightly increases with the increase of Cr content. Cr3+ is not involved in orbital ordering or superexchange interactions. The charge and magnetic ordering are decoupled: the Mn moments order according to a CE-type structure in all samples.
Varicella-zoster virus meningoencephalitis without skin lesions in a paediatric kidney recipient.

Phosphate retention occurs as patients develop progressive chronic kidney disease, and healthy patients achieving recommended nutritional targets typically require oral phosphate binders to limit phosphate absorption [1]. We were prompted to measure trace elements following a case of severe copper deficiency in a patient following gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity [2], and in vitro studies have suggested that ion-exchange resins, including sevelamer, can potentially bind trace metals, including copper and zinc. Although some patients had trace element levels below the normal reference, this did not appear to be associated with phosphate binder prescription [3], but rather to dietary intake and recent or concurrent illnesses. Although the dialysis prescription [4] and modality [5] have been reported to impact on serum calcium and phosphate, the data to date do not suggest any significant clearance of watersoluble vitamins by different dialysis modalities, provided that patients have an adequate diet [6]. However, Schiffl and Lang have now questioned whether the prescription of the ion-exchange phosphate binder, sevelamer hydrochloride, can bind water-soluble vitamins, so reducing gastrointestinal absorption and resulting in clinically apparent vitamin deficiency.
Flexible Decision Styles And The Choices Of Top Executives

Managers who have access to several modes of understanding have been described as ideal decision-makers. This article reports on research that explored how flexible styles of decision-making, defined by the number and kinds of accessible modes of understanding, influence the choices of top executives. Instruments were used to measure attitude toward ambiguity and uncertainty and to determine the style of the participating top executives. the participants were asked to evaluate eight capital expansion projects in terms of adoptability and risk. Inferences about decision-making were drawn from these evaluations. the tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty scores and the adoptability and risk ratings were associated with the participant's style. Top executives with a flexible style who have access to each of the modes of understanding were found to be aggressive decision-makers with a high tolerance for ambiguity and uncertainty.
Genetic changes associated to declining populations of Formica ants in fragmented forest landscape

We monitored populations of two wood ant species, Formica aquilonia and Formica lugubris, through annual mapping of the colonies in a fragmenting forest landscape from 1966 to 1998. The genetic population structure was studied at the end of the study period by using 12 microsatellite loci. Fragmentation of forest led to a decline and spatial redistribution of populations. Changes in the spatial distribution were particularly pronounced in the highly polygynous (many queens in a single nest) species F. aquilonia, whose local populations declined or became extinct, or relocated themselves and colonized new patches. The genetic relationships of the remaining subpopulations indicated the historical developments, revealing the boundaries of the historical populations (high values of genetic differentiation, FST), recolonization histories (genetic affinities revealed by Bayesian analyses) and population decline (reduced variation). Big genetic differences could be detected over short distances, so differentiation also depended on social factors. Our results showed that a genetic study can be reliably used to dissect the recent historical changes underlying the present population structure, and that species with different social structures can respond differently to habitat changes. Combining our demographic and genetic results suggests that habitat fragmentation forms a clear threat on a local scale with large negative effects on ant population viability.
Comparison of computer‐based and paper‐based imagery strategies in learning anatomy

This study evaluated the use of computer‐based interactive imagery on students' achievement scores when compared with paper‐based static imagery. It also assessed students' perceptions about the two imagery strategies and their different components. Sixty‐four freshmen veterinary students (50 females, 14 males), enrolled in a comparative anatomy course, volunteered to participate in the study. This study used a pretest/posttest comparison group design and data was examined by analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). A close‐ended questionnaire was administered to collect students' perceptions about the two imagery strategies. The mean difference in students' perceptions between the two strategies was analyzed using a two‐tailed paired t‐test. No significant differences were observed between computer‐based interactive imagery and paper‐based static imagery in the immediate recall of anatomical information. There was a significant difference in students' opinions toward the two strategies: students perceived computer‐based interactive imagery as a better strategy in the assimilation of anatomical information than paper‐based static imagery. Clin. Anat. 18:457–464, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and Psychometric Properties of the Classroom Peer Context Questionnaire

Children's view on the peer context in their classroom may differ from that of other informants, but no measure systematically examines children's own view. Therefore, we developed the Classroom Peer Context Questionnaire (CPCQ) and evaluated its reliability, validity, and stability in two studies. In Study 1, 464 children (Mage = 10.8 years, 53.2% girls) from 18 Grade 5 classrooms participated in 2 waves of data collection. In Study 2, 1538 children (Mage = 10.6 years, 47.2% girls) from 59 Grade 5 classrooms participated in 3 waves of data collection. Exploratory factor analyses in Study 1 revealed 5 dimensions labeled comfort, cooperation, conflict, cohesion, and isolation. Confirmatory factor analyses in Study 2 supported these 5 dimensions. Study 2 also demonstrated good reliability, validity, and stability for each dimension. Researchers and professionals in schools may use the CPCQ to obtain reliable and quick information on how children perceive the peer context in their classroom.
Aluminum-Induced Gene Expression and Protein Localization of a Cell Wall-Associated Receptor Kinase in Arabidopsis1

Here, we report the aluminum (Al)-induced organ-specific expression of a WAK1 (cell wall-associated receptor kinase 1) gene and cell type-specific localization of WAK proteins in Arabidopsis. WAK1-specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed an Al-induced WAK1 gene expression in roots. Short- and long-term analysis of gene expression in root fractions showed a typical “on” and “off” pattern with a first peak at 3 h of Al exposure followed by a sharp decline at 6 h and a complete disappearance after 9 h of Al exposure, suggesting the WAK1 is a further representative of Al-induced early genes. In shoots, upon root Al exposure, an increased but stable WAK1 expression was observed. Using confocal microscopy, we visualized Al-induced closure of leaf stomata, consistent with previous suggestions that the Al stress primarily experienced in roots associated with the transfer of root-shoot signals. Elevated levels of WAK protein in root cells were observed through western blots after 6 h of Al exposure, indicating a lag time between the Al-induced WAK transcription and translation. WAK proteins are localized abundantly to peripheries of cortex cells within the elongation zone of the root apex. In these root cells, disintegration of cortical microtubules was observed after Al treatment but not after the Al analog lanthanum treatments. Tip-growing control root hairs, stem stomata, and leaf stomatal pores are characterized with high amounts of WAKs, suggesting WAKs are accumulating at plasma membrane domains, which suffer from mechanical stress and lack dense arrays of supporting cortical microtubules. Further, transgenic plants overexpressing WAK1 showed an enhanced Al tolerance in terms of root growth when compared with the wild-type plants, making the WAK1 one of the important candidates for plant defense against Al toxicity.
Antibodies against cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) in inflammatory bowel disease patients with or without arthritic manifestations.

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