Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cervical prephrenic interneurons in the normal and lesioned spinal cord of the adult rat

Although monosynaptic bulbospinal projections to phrenic motoneurons have been extensively described, little is known about the organization of phrenic premotor neurons in the adult rat spinal cord. Because interneurons may play an important role in normal breathing and recovery following spinal cord injury, the present study has used anterograde and transneuronal retrograde tracing to study their distribution and synaptic relations. Exclusive unilateral, first‐order labeling of the phrenic motoneuron pool with pseudorabies virus demonstrated a substantial number of second‐order, bilaterally distributed cervical interneurons predominantly in the dorsal horn and around the central canal. Combined transneuronal and anterograde tracing revealed ventral respiratory column projections to prephrenic interneurons, suggesting that some propriospinal relays exist between medullary neurons and the phrenic nucleus. Dual‐labeling studies with pseudorabies virus recombinants also showed prephrenic interneurons integrated with either contralateral phrenic or intercostal motoneuron pools. The stability of interneuronal pseudorabies virus labeling patterns following lateral cervical hemisection was then addressed. Except for fewer infected contralateral interneurons at the level of the central canal, the number and distribution of phrenic‐associated interneurons was not significantly altered 2 weeks posthemisection (i.e., the point at which the earliest postinjury recovery of phrenic activity has been reported). These results demonstrate a heterogeneous population of phrenic‐related interneurons. Their connectivity and relative stability after cervical hemisection raise speculation for potentially diverse roles in modulating phrenic function normally and postinjury. J. Comp. Neurol. 511:692–709, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased basal insulin secretion from pancreatic islets of pups in a rat model of maternal obesity.

Maternal obesity (MO) is a deleterious condition that enhances susceptibility of adult offspring to metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The objective is to study the effect of MO on in vitro insulin secretion and pancreatic cellular population in offspring. We hypothesize that a harmful antenatal metabolic environment due to MO diminishes the basal glucose-responsive secretory function of pancreatic beta cells in offspring. Mothers were fed a control (C) or high-fat diet from weaning through pregnancy (120 days) and lactation. At postnatal days (PNDs) 36 and 110, pups were killed, peripheral blood was collected and pancreatic islets were isolated. Basal insulin secretion was measured in vitro in islets for 60 min. It was found that blood insulin, glucose and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index were unaffected by maternal diet and age in females. However, male MO offspring at PND 110 showed hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance compared with C. Body weight was not modified by MO, but fat content was higher in MO pups compared with C pups. Triglycerides and leptin concentrations were higher in MO than in C offspring in all groups except in females at PND 36. Pancreatic islet cytoarchitecture was unaffected by MO. At PND 36, islets of male and female C and MO offspring responded similarly to glucose, but at PND 110, male and female MO offspring islets showed a 50% decrease in insulin secretion. It was concluded that MO impairs basal insulin secretion of offspring with a greater impact on males than females, and this effect mainly manifests in adulthood.
Effect of Neonatal Hypothyroidism on the Kinetic Properties of Na+, K+‐ATPase from Rat Brain Microsomes

The effects of neonatal hypothyroidism on the kinetic properties of Na+, K+‐ATPase from rat brain microsomes were examined. Neonatal hypothyroidism resulted in decreased Na+, K+‐ATPase activity compared to control samples (7.4 ± 1.48 and 29.8 ± 2.30 µmol Pi/h/mg protein, respectively, P < 0.001). Substrate kinetics studies with ATP, Na+ and K+ revealed that there were generalised decreases in Vmax. For ATP, Na+ and K+, activities resolved into two kinetic components in the control group. In hypothyroid animals, the low‐affinity component for ATP was absent. The opposite pattern (i.e. an absence of the high‐affinity component) was noted for Na+. For K+, although both kinetic components were discernible in neonatal hypothyroid brain microsomes, the Km of the high‐affinity component was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared to control samples. In the control group, the enzyme displayed allosteric behaviour at high concentrations of Mg2+; in hypothyroid animals, the pattern was completely allosteric. The Na+, K+‐ATPase enzyme from the hypothyroid brain microsomes bound two molecules of ATP rather than one, unlike in the control animals. Our results thus indicate that neonatal hypothyroidism results in an impairment of microsomal Na+, K+‐ATPase activity in the rat brain, together with subtle alterations in the kinetic properties of the enzyme.
Perpetration-induced Traumatic Stress in Persons Who

This study explored possible identification of Perpetration-induced Traumatic Stress (PITS) in workers whose occupations required euthanizing nonhuman animals and determining whether event or person-related factors influenced symptoms.The sample included 148 animal workers: veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and research and animal shelter staff.The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) assessed traumatic stress. Experimenters constructed additional scales measuring satisfaction with social support, participation in various types of training, and concern over animal death. More than 70% of participants reported affinity toward animals had strongly influenced their occupation selection. Half the sample perceived animal death—particularly euthanasia—as one of the least desirable jobs. Of the sample, 11% reported experiencing moderate levels of traumatic symptoms. The study found lower levels of euthanasia-related stress were associated with increased satisfaction with social support and length of time working with animals.Those who reported high levels of concern about animal death reported higher levels of euthanasia-related stress.The study found occupational context was not associated with different levels of euthanasia-related stress symptoms—even though reasons for administering euthanasia differed significantly between occupations. Society & Animals 13:3 (2005) © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2005 S & A 13,3_f2_200-219 8/11/05 2:16 PM Page 201
A Second‐Order Accurate, Finite Volume–Based, Integrated Hydrologic Modeling (FIHM) Framework for Simulation of Surface and Subsurface Flow

Surface water, the vadose zone, and groundwater are linked components of a hydrologic continuum. In order to capture the interaction between different components of a hydrologic continuum and to use this understanding in water management situations, an accurate numerical model is needed. The quality of model results depends on accurate representation of the physical processes and the data describing the area of interest, as well as performance of the numerical formulation implemented. Here we present a physics‐based, distributed, fully coupled, second‐order accurate, upwind cell‐centered, constrained unstructured mesh based finite‐volume modeling framework (FIHM) that simultaneously solves two‐dimensional unsteady overland flow and three‐dimensional variably saturated subsurface flow in heterogeneous, anisotropic domains. A multidimensional linear reconstruction of the hydraulic gradients (surface and subsurface) is used to achieve second‐order accuracy. Accuracy and efficiency in raster data and vector‐boundary representations are facilitated through the use of constrained Delaunay meshes in domain discretization. The experiments presented here (i) explore the influence of initial moisture conditions, soil properties, anisotropy, and heterogeneity in determining the pressure head distributions in the vadose and saturated zones, (ii) show the existence of localized “flux rotation” phenomenon due to heterogeneous anisotropy, leading to the creation of convergence–divergence zones, (iii) show the influence of vertical drainage from unsaturated zone on the response of an unconfined aquifer to pumping, and (iv) show the effects of capillarity, saturation excess, infiltration excess, and initial water table location on determining the overland flow generation.
Limiting variety in non-nutrient-dense, energy-dense foods during a lifestyle intervention: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Dietary variety is a factor that influences consumption but has received little attention in obesity treatment. OBJECTIVE This study examined the effect of limiting the variety of different non-nutrient-dense, energy-dense foods (NND-EDFs) (i.e., chips, ice cream, cookies) on dietary intake and weight loss during an 18-mo lifestyle intervention. DESIGN Two hundred two adults aged 51.3 ± 9.5 y with a BMI (in kg/m2) of 34.9 ± 4.3 (57.8% women, 92.2% white) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 interventions: Lifestyle (1200-1500 kcal/d, ≤30% of energy as fat; n = 101) or Lifestyle + limited variety (LV) (limit variety of NND-EDFs, i.e., 2 choices; n = 101). Both interventions involved 48 group sessions. Dietary intake, NND-EDF hedonics, NND-EDF variety in the home, and weight were assessed at 0, 6, 12, and 18 mo. RESULTS Intent-to-treat analyses showed that the Lifestyle+LV group consumed less variety (P < 0.01) and energy daily (P < 0.05) from NND-EDFs than did the Lifestyle group at 6, 12, and 18 mo. The Lifestyle+LV group consumed less total energy daily (P < 0.05) at 6 mo than did the Lifestyle group. The Lifestyle+LV group reported less (P < 0.05) NND-EDF variety in the home at 6 and 18 mo than did the Lifestyle group. The hedonics of one chosen NND-EDF decreased more (P < 0.05) in the Lifestyle+LV group. Despite these effects, no difference in percentage weight loss occurred at 18 mo (Lifestyle+LV: -9.9 ± 7.6%; Lifestyle: -9.6 ± 9.2%). CONCLUSIONS Limitations in dietary variety decreased intakes in the targeted area but did not affect weight loss. Limiting variety in more areas may be needed to improve weight loss and weight-loss maintenance. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01096719.
Omission of feedback in single-cue probability learning

Brehmer,B. ,and Lindberg, L. Omission of feedback in single-cue probability learning. Umea Psychological Reports, No. 46, 1971. - The effects of the omission of feedback in single-cue probability learning was studied as a function of the sign and magnitude of the correlation between cue and criterion variables, the magnitude of the slope relating the criterion values to the cue values, and the magnitude of the unaccounted for variance in the task in three experiments. Replicating earlier findings, the results of these experiments show that the omission of feedback results in an increase in the correlations between cues and judgments. This increase in correlations is due to an increase in the slopes of the regression lines relating the subjects' judgments to the cue values.
Variable Structure Tracking of DC Motor for High Performance Applications

This paper presents a novel application of the Variable Structure System Control (VSS) for on-line tracking of dc motors. By the proposed technique, the rotor position, speed and current can follow preselected tracks (a track is a time history selected in advance). The theory of the VSS is modified to include the tracking option for the general case of multi-input/multi-output system. The robustness of the proposed tracking controller is ensured at all time. By selecting the tracks as proposed in this paper, the electrical and mechanical stresses on the motor are substantially reduced, and the "soft starting" of the motor is achieved. The entire drive system is built and tested in the laboratory by using off-the-shelf components and software. The test results show the effectiveness of the proposed tracking controller in the high performance drive applications such as robotic, manipulation and actuation.
Investor sentiment, market timing, and futures returns

This study examines whether actual trader position-based sentiment index is useful for predicting returns in the S&P 500 index futures market. The results show that large speculator sentiment is a price continuation indicator, whereas large hedger sentiment is a contrary indicator. Small trader sentiment hardly forecasts future market movements. Moreover, extreme large trader sentiments and the combination of extreme large trader sentiments tend to provide more reliable forecasts. These findings suggest that large speculators possess superior timing ability in the market.
Anticoagulation With the Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Dabigatran Does Not Enlarge Hematoma Volume in Experimental Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background— The direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate (DE) may constitute a future replacement of vitamin K antagonists for long-term anticoagulation. Whereas warfarin pretreatment is associated with greater hematoma expansion after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), it remains unclear what effect direct thrombin inhibitors would have. Using different experimental models of ICH, this study compared hematoma volume among DE-treated mice, warfarin-treated mice, and controls. Methods and Results— CD-1 mice were fed with DE or warfarin. Sham-treated mice served as controls. At the time point of ICH induction, DE mice revealed an increased activated partial thromboplastin time compared with controls (mean±SD 46.1±5.0 versus 18.0±1.5 seconds; P=0.022), whereas warfarin pretreatment resulted in a prothrombin time prolongation (51.4±17.9 versus 10.4±0.3 seconds; P<0.001). Twenty-four hours after collagenase-induced ICH formation, hematoma volume was 3.8±2.9 &mgr;L in controls, 4.8±2.7 &mgr;L in DE mice, and 14.5±11.8 &mgr;L in warfarin mice (n=16; Welch ANOVA between-group differences P=0.007; posthoc analysis with the Dunnett method: DE versus controls, P=0.899; warfarin versus controls, P<0.001; DE versus warfarin, P=0.001). In addition, a model of laser-induced cerebral microhemorrhage was applied, and the distances that red blood cells and blood plasma were pushed into the brain were quantified. Warfarin mice showed enlarged red blood cell and blood plasma diameters compared to controls, but no difference was found between DE mice and controls. Conclusions— In contrast with warfarin, pretreatment with DE did not increase hematoma volume in 2 different experimental models of ICH. In terms of safety, this observation may represent a potential advantage of anticoagulation with DE over warfarin.
Crossing the divide between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis in water oxidation

Significance An atomic layer deposition (ALD) procedure is described for stabilizing surface binding of a water oxidation catalyst to the surfaces of nanostructured films of indium tin oxide. The catalyst is stabilized on the surface of electrodes by ALD of an overlayer of TiO2. Stabilization of surface binding allows use of basic solutions where a rate enhancement for water oxidation of ∼106 is observed compared with acidic conditions. There are important implications for stabilizing surface-bound molecular assemblies for applications in dye sensitized solar cells, electrocatalysis, and photoelectrocatalysis. Enhancing the surface binding stability of chromophores, catalysts, and chromophore–catalyst assemblies attached to metal oxide surfaces is an important element in furthering the development of dye sensitized solar cells, photoelectrosynthesis cells, and interfacial molecular catalysis. Phosphonate-derivatized catalysts and molecular assemblies provide a basis for sustained water oxidation on these surfaces in acidic solution but are unstable toward hydrolysis and loss from surfaces as the pH is increased. Here, we report enhanced surface binding stability of a phosphonate-derivatized water oxidation catalyst over a wide pH range (1–12) by atomic layer deposition of an overlayer of TiO2. Increased stability of surface binding, and the reactivity of the bound catalyst, provides a hybrid approach to heterogeneous catalysis combining the advantages of systematic modifications possible by chemical synthesis with heterogeneous reactivity. For the surface-stabilized catalyst, greatly enhanced rates of water oxidation are observed upon addition of buffer bases and with a pathway identified in which O-atom transfer to OH− occurs with a rate constant increase of 106 compared to water oxidation in acid.
Genetic Diversity and Virulence Determinants of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Patients with Crohn's Disease in Spain and Chile

Adherent-invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) strains are genetically variable and virulence factors for AIEC are non-specific. FimH is the most studied pathogenicity-related protein, and there have been few studies on other proteins, such as Serine Protease Autotransporters of Enterobacteriacea (SPATEs). The goal of this study is to characterize E. coli strains isolated from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in Chile and Spain, and identify genetic differences between strains associated with virulence markers and clonality. We characterized virulence factors and genetic variability by pulse field electrophoresis (PFGE) in 50 E. coli strains isolated from Chilean and Spanish patients with CD, and also determined which of these strains presented an AIEC phenotype. Twenty-six E. coli strains from control patients were also included. PFGE patterns were heterogeneous and we also observed a highly diverse profile of virulence genes among all E. coli strains obtained from patients with CD, including those strains defined as AIEC. Two iron transporter genes chuA, and irp2, were detected in various combinations in 68–84% of CD strains. We found that the most significant individual E. coli genetic marker associated with CD E. coli strains was chuA. In addition, patho-adaptative fimH mutations were absent in some of the highly adherent and invasive strains. The fimH adhesin, the iron transporter irp2, and Class-2 SPATEs did not show a significant association with CD strains. The V27A fimH mutation was detected in the most CD strains. This study highlights the genetic variability of E. coli CD strains from two distinct geographic origins, most of them affiliated with the B2 or D E. coli phylogroups and also reveals that nearly 40% of Chilean and Spanish CD patients are colonized with E.coli with a characteristic AIEC phenotype.
The Association between Dietary Patterns and Semen Quality in a General Asian Population of 7282 Males

Objective To explore the associations between different dietary patterns and semen quality in a general Asian male population. Methods Cross-sectional study. Healthy Taiwanese men aged 18 years or older who participated in a standard medical screening program from 2008-2013 run by a private firm were included in this study. Semen parameters including sperm concentration (SC), total sperm motility (TSM), progressive motility (PRM) and normal sperm morphology (NSM) were recorded. A dietary questionnaire was used to categorize the participants into 5 groups: “Healthy diet”, “Western diet”, “High-carbohydrate diet”, “High sweet snacks & sugar-sweetened drinks” and “High-sodium diet”. Results A total of 7282 men completed the questionnaire regarding dietary pattern, and examination of anthropometric indexes was performed and laboratory data were obtained. A high intake of a “Western diet” resulted in statistically linear declines of SC and NSM (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Similarly, a greater intake of “High sweet snacks & sugar-sweetened drinks” was associated with a lower SC (P = 0.001). Increased intake of a “High-carbohydrate diet” was related to higher prevalences of abnormal TSM and PRM (P = 0.012 and P = 0.025). Similarly, a greater intake of a “High-sodium diet” was correlated with an elevated prevalence of abnormal NSM (P = 0.035). Conclusions This study showed that a greater intake of a “Western diet” is associated with poorer SC and NSM, a “High sweet snacks and sugar-sweetened drinks” intake is correlated with a lower SC, and high-carbohydrate food is related to elevated prevalences of abnormal TSM and PRM.
Ketamine’s Antidepressant Efficacy is Extended for at Least Four Weeks in Subjects with a Family History of an Alcohol Use Disorder

Background: A single subanesthetic infusion of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine has rapid and potent antidepressant properties in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD). As a family history of an alcohol use disorder is a positive predictor of ketamine’s antidepressant response and the strength of the association increases over time, we hypothesized that depressed subjects with a family history of an alcohol use disorder would have greater antidepressant durability and that riluzole would augment and/or extend ketamine’s antidepressant efficacy. Methods: Fifty-two TRD subjects received an open-label infusion of ketamine (0.5mg/kg over 40 minutes), and, four to six hours post-infusion, were randomized to either flexible-dose (100–200mg/day) riluzole or placebo in the following proportions: Family History Positive (FHP) riluzole (n = 10), FHP placebo (n = 9), Family History Negative (FHN) riluzole (n = 16), and FHN placebo (n = 17). Results: FHP subjects randomized to placebo had a greater antidepressant response than FHN subjects; however, contrary to our initial hypothesis, there was no significant difference in antidepressant efficacy with riluzole. Although potentially underpowered, there was no difference in overall time-to-relapse based on randomization status (riluzole responders: n = 15, placebo responders: n = 17). Yet, time-to-relapse was longer in FHP placebo responders (n = 8) compared to FHN placebo responders (n = 9) with, again, no significant difference in time-to-relapse in FHP riluzole responders (n = 6) compared to FHN riluzole responders (n = 9). Conclusions: Ketamine’s extended antidepressant durability in FHP TRD should be considered in the design and analysis of ketamine depression trials.
Personal growth initiative as a moderator of the outcome of expressive writing tasks: Test of a matching hypothesis

Title of Document: PERSONAL GROWTH INITIATIVE AS A MODERATOR OF EXPRESSIVE WRITING TASKS: TEST OF A MATCHING HYPOTHESIS Helena (Mimi) Martin, Master of Arts, 2009 Directed By: Dr. Robert W. Lent, Counseling and Personnel Services Department This study advances knowledge regarding a new potential client variable moderator to therapeutic writing. Therapeutic writing, also referred to in the literature as expressive or experimental writing, utilizes the expressive nature of writi ng as a therapeutic means to recovery and growth. The current study tested the moderati ng effects of a client variable, personal growth initiative (PGI; Robitschek, 1998), on cognitive and affective therapeutic outcomes including depression, the impact of the event, subjective well-being, positive affectivity, and the subjective evaluati on of the task. More specifically, this study explored whether participants differ in the extent to which they profit from two different versions of expressive writing depending on whe ther they are high or low on the personality dimension of personal growth initiative (PGI ). Findings revealed that, overall, those lower in PGI found greater benefit from t he traditional writing task than the BPS task. In contrast, those higher in PGI found gre ater benefit from the BPS task than the traditional writing task. Personal Growth Initiative as a Moderator of the Outcome of Expressive Writ ing Tasks: Test of a Matching Hypothesis