Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
High Conductance Sustained Single-Channel Activity Responsible for the Low-Threshold Persistent Na+ Current in Entorhinal Cortex Neurons

Stellate cells from entorhinal cortex (EC) layer II express both a transient Na+ current (INa) and a low-threshold persistent Na+ current (INaP) that helps to generate intrinsic theta-like oscillatory activity. We have used single-channel patch-clamp recording to investigate the Na+ channels responsible forINaP in EC stellate cells. Macropatch (more than six channels) recordings showed high levels of transient Na+ channel activity, consisting of brief openings near the beginning of depolarizing pulses, and lower levels of persistent Na+ channel activity, characterized by prolonged openings throughout 500 msec long depolarizations. The persistent activity contributed a noninactivating component to averaged macropatch recordings that was comparable with whole-cellINaP in both voltage dependence of activation (10 mV negative to the transient current) and amplitude (1% of the transient current at −20 mV). In 14 oligochannel (less than six channels) patches, the ratio of transient to persistent channel activity varied from patch to patch, with 10 patches exhibiting exclusively transient openings and one patch showing exclusively persistent openings. In two patches containing only a single persistent channel, prolonged openings were observed in >50% of test depolarizations. Moreover, persistent openings had a significantly higher single-channel conductance (19.7 pS) than transient openings (15.6 pS). We conclude that this stable high-conductance persistent channel activity is responsible for INaP in EC stellate cells. This persistent channel behavior is more enduring and has a higher conductance than the infrequent and short-lived transitions to persistent gating modes that have been described previously in brain neurons.
Photosynthesis of Grass Species Differing in Carbon Dioxide Fixation Pathways: IV. ANALYSIS OF REDUCED OXYGEN RESPONSE IN PANICUM MILIOIDES AND PANICUM SCHENCKII.

Reduced photorespiration has been reported in Panicum milioides on the basis of lower CO(2) compensation concentrations than in C(3) species, lower CO(2) evolution in the light, and less response of apparent photosynthesis to O(2) concentration. The lower response to O(2) in P. milioides could be due to reduced O(2) competition with CO(2) for reaction with ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate, to a reduced loss of CO(2), or to an initial fixation of CO(2) by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase. Experiments were carried out with Panicum maximum Jacq. , a C(4) species having no apparent photorespiration; tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a C(3) species; P. milioides Nees ex Trin. ; and Panicum schenckii Hack. The latter two species are closely related and have low photorespiration rates. CO(2) exchange was measured at five CO(2) concentrations ranging from 0 to 260 microliters per liter at both 2 and 21% O(2). Mesophyll conductance or carboxylation efficiency was estimated by plotting substomatal CO(2) concentrations against apparent photosynthesis. In the C(4) species P. maximum, mesophyll conductance was 0.96 centimeters per second and was unaffected by O(2) concentration. At 21% O(2) mesophyll conductance of tall fescue was decreased 32% below the value at 2% O(2). Decreases in mesophyll conductance at 21% O(2) for P. milioides and P. schenckii were similar to that for tall fescue. On the other hand, loss of CO(2) in CO(2)-free air, estimated by extrapolating the CO(2) response curve to zero CO(2), was increased from 1.8 to 6.5 milligrams per square decimeter per hour in tall fescue as O(2) was raised from 2-21%. Loss of CO(2) was less than 1 milligram per square decimeter per hour for P. milioides and P. schenckii and was unaffected by O(2). The results suggest that the reduced O(2) response in P. milioides and P. schenckii is due to a lower loss of CO(2) in the light rather than less inhibition of carboxylation by O(2), since the decrease in carboxylation efficiency at 21% O(2) was similar for P. milioides, P. schenckii, and tall fescue. The inhibition of apparent photosynthesis by 21% O(2) in these three species at low light intensities was similar at 31 to 36% which also indicates similar O(2) effects on carboxylation. Apparent photosynthesis at high light intensity was inhibited less by 21% O(2) in P. milioides (16.8%) and P. schenckii (23.8%) than in tall fescue (28.4%). This lower inhibition in the Panicum species may have been due to a higher degree of recycling of photorespired CO(2) in these species than in tall fescue.
Evaluation of neophobia in a threatened seabird: Olrog’s Gull (Larus atlanticus) as a case study

ABSTRACT Behavioural differences between individuals are expected when animal face novel stimuli. Aversion responses in such situations are called neophobia. Here, we assessed the degree of neophobia towards objects with respect to social context and age in Olrog’s Gulls (Larus atlanticus). The responses of individuals in trials in which a novel object was placed at a feeding station were compared with those of individuals in trials without a novel object. In the presence of a novel object, gulls consumed food in less than 60% of the cases. We found one type of object where gulls expressed a high degree of aversive response. The probability of a gull consuming bait from a feeding station was higher in juveniles than sub-adults, and increased also with the number of adults close to the feeding station. Consumption latency was higher during treatment trials than during the control trials. The degree of neophobia in juveniles decreased with increasing numbers of individuals close to the station. Our study demonstrated the potential relevance of neophobia in understanding foraging behaviour and potential conservation concerns in this near-threatened species.
Information Society Technologies (ist) Programme Cognitive Vision Systems – Cogvis (ist-2000-29375) Dr 1.2. Psychophysical Results from Experiments on Recognition & Categorisation (mpik) 1 Models of Object Recognition and Categorisation

A firm understanding of how the human visual system recognises and categorises objects is important in order to build a successful cognitive vision system. We have reviewed the relevant literature both on visual object recognition and categorisation (chapter 1). Based on this review and the technical annex of this project we have addressed several topics in a series of psychophysical experiments, focusing on structural aspects of recognition memory, object similarity in the context of categorisation, shape transformations in categorisation, the role of context in recognition and categorisation, and the interplay between object motion and shape for categorisation decisions (chapter 2). Based on our psychophysical results we present our view on recognition and categorisation, proposing an integrative framework that serves as a theoretical basis for a computational recognition system grounded in cognitive research (chapter 3). Usually we are able to visually recognis e objects even when we see them from different points of view, in different sizes due to changes in distance, and in different positions in the environment. Even young children recognise objects so immediately and effortlessly that it seems to be a rather ordinary and simple task. However, changes in the spatial relation between observer and object lead to immense changes of the image that is projected onto the retina. Hence, to recognise objects regardless of orientation, size and position is not a trivial problem, and no computational system proposed so far can successfully recognise objects over a wide range of object categories and contexts. The question how we recognise objects despite spatial transformations is usually referred to as the first basic problem of object recognition. We are not only able to recognise identical objects, but we can effortlessly see an unknown dog as a dog, or as a beagle, even though we have never seen it before. But how do we see different instances as members of the same object class? This ability for class level recognition or categorisation is considered as the second basic problem of object recognition. Categorisation is a fundamental capacity; an organism without the ability to categorise would be continually confronted with an ever-changing array of seemingly meaningless and unrelated perceptual experiences.
A conserved cysteine residue in the third transmembrane domain is essential for homomeric 5‐HT3 receptor function

The cysteine (Cys) residue at position 312 in the third transmembrane domain (M3) is conserved among 5‐hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5‐HT3) receptor subunits and many other subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) related Cys‐loop receptor family, including most of the γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) and glycine receptor subunits. To elucidate a possible role for the Cys‐312 in human 5‐HT3A receptors, we replaced it with alanine and expressed the 5‐HT3A(C312A) mutant in HEK293 cells. The mutation resulted in an absence of 5‐HT‐induced whole‐cell current without reducing homopentamer formation, surface expression or 5‐HT binding. The 5‐HT3A(C312A) mutant, when co‐expressed with the wild‐type 5‐HT3A subunit, did not affect functional expression of receptors, suggesting that the mutant is not dominant negative. Interestingly, co‐expression of 5‐HT3A(C312A) with 5‐HT3B led to surface expression of heteropentamers that mediated small 5‐HT responses. This suggests that the Cys‐312 is essential for homomeric but not heteromeric receptor gating. To further investigate the relationship between residue 312 and gating we replaced it with amino acids located at the equivalent position within other Cys‐loop subunits that are either capable or incapable of forming functional homopentamers. Replacement of 5‐HT3A Cys‐312 by Gly or Leu (equivalent residues in the nACh receptor δ and γ subunits) abolished and severely attenuated function, respectively, whereas replacement by Thr or Ser (equivalent residues in nACh receptor α7 and GABAAρ subunits) supported robust function. Thus, 5‐HT3A residue 312 and equivalent polar residues in the M3 of other Cys‐loop subunits are essential determinants of homopentameric gating.
Vertical and Horizontal Impact Force Comparison During Jump Landings With and Without Rotation in NCAA Division I Male Soccer Players

Abstract Harry, JR, Barker, LA, Mercer, JA, and Dufek, JS. Vertical and horizontal impact force comparison during jump landings with and without rotation in NCAA Division I male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1780–1786, 2017—There is a wealth of research on impact force characteristics when landing from a jump. However, there are no data on impact forces during landing from a jump with an airborne rotation about the vertical axis. We examined impact force parameters in the vertical and horizontal axes during vertical jump (VJ) landings and VJ landings with a 180° rotation (VJR). Twenty-four Division I male soccer players performed 3 VJ and VJR landings on a dual-force platform system. Paired-samples t-tests (&agr; = 0.05) compared differences in the first (F1) and second (F2) peak vertical ground reaction forces, times to F1 (tF1), F2 (tF2), and the end of the impact phase, vertical impulse, and anterior-posterior and medial-lateral force couples. Effect sizes (ES; large >0.8) were computed to determine the magnitude of the differences. Lower jump height (41.60 ± 4.03 cm, VJ landings; 39.40 ± 4.05 cm, VJR landings; p = 0.002; ES = 0.39), greater F2 (55.71 ± 11.95 N·kg−1, VJ; 68.16 ± 14.82 N·kg−1; p < 0.001; ES = 0.94), faster tF2 (0.057 ± 0.012 seconds, VJ; 0.047 ± 0.011 seconds, VJR; p = 0.001; ES = 0.89), greater anterior-posterior (0.06 ± 0.03 N·s·kg−1, VJ; 0.56 ± 0.15 N·s·kg−1, VJR; p < 0.001; ES = 1.83) and medial-lateral force couples (0.29 ± 0.11 N·s·kg−1, VJ; 0.56 ± 0.14 N·s·kg−1, VJR; p < 0.001; ES = 1.46) occurred during VJR landings. No other differences were identified. This kinetic analysis determined that landing from a jump with 180° airborne rotation is different than landing from a jump without an airborne rotation. Male Division I soccer players could benefit from increasing the volume of VJR landings during training to address the differences in jump height and force parameters compared with VJ landings.
Effects of Peer Education on the Peer Educators in a School-Based HIV Prevention Program: Where Should Peer Education Research Go from Here?

Although many HIV/AIDS prevention programs for adolescents have used peer educators to deliver risk reduction information, fewresearchers have evaluated the effects of participation in educational activities on the peer educators themselves. The present study compares several outcomes experienced by peer educators involved in a school-based HIV prevention program with those of their classmates to determine areas in which involvement in the curriculum had an effect on peer educators. Analyses revealed few differences between peer educators that could be attributed to the implementation of the intervention. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for prevention programs targeting adolescent populations, and suggestions are made concerning the importance of future research on the selection, training, and integration of peer educators into school-based programs.
Rosuvastatin improves cerebrovascular function in Zucker obese rats by inhibiting NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent superoxide production.

Insulin-resistance induces cerebrovascular dysfunction and increases the risk for stroke. We investigated whether rosuvastatin (RSV), a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, can reverse reduced cerebrovascular responsiveness in insulin-resistant rats. Dilator responses of the basilar artery (BA) were examined after 1-day or 4-wk RSV (2 mg.kg(-1). day(-1)) treatment in anesthetized 12-wk-old insulin-resistant Zucker obese (ZO) and lean (ZL) rats by using a cranial window preparation. Vehicle-treated ZO rats had significantly higher fasting insulin, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels compared with ZL rats. In addition, in the ZO rats, dilator responses of the BA to acetylcholine, iloprost, cromakalim, and potassium chloride were significantly reduced when compared with ZL rats. One-day RSV treatment improved dilator responses of the ZO BAs without altering lipid levels. Four-week RSV treatment lowered both TC and TG by 30% and also improved dilator responses of the ZO BAs, although without additional effects compared with the 1-day RSV treatment. NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent superoxide production was significantly higher in the cerebral arteries of vehicle-treated ZO rats compared with ZL rats, but both 1-day and 4-wk RSV treatments normalized elevated superoxide levels in the ZO arteries. These findings demonstrate that RSV improves cerebrovascular function in insulin-resistance independently from its lipid-lowering effect by the inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase.
Molluscum Contagiosum

locked up in it, and cannot be given off to the tissues for their use, so that however muclh oxygen the blood in the arteries may contain, it acts very much as if it were venous. In consequence of this, I have found that, when the vapour of the nitrite is passed into the lungs of rabbits, they are seized with suffocative convulsions. The greater part of the blood which passed through the lungs having been acted on by the vapour, it affects the brain just as it would have done if the trachea had been closed, and no air allowed to come near it during its passage through the pulmonary vessels, and therefore convulsions occur as soon as it reaches the brain. Professor H. C. Wood of Philadelphia, who has lately-written a valuable paper on the action of the nitrite, found no convulsions after injecting it subcutaneously. By giving it in this way, the blood was not acted on during its passage through the lungs, and asphyxia was prevented. This, I think, shows that if nitrite of amyl is to be used at all as a remedy in cholera, it must be given internally or by subcutaneous injection, and not by inhalation. This mode of administration seems to me to be indicated also in spasmodic asthma, when the arterialisation of the blood is also impaired. In angina pectoris it will act when given internally, but a larger dose is required than when inhaled ; and it remains to be seen whether it can be given in cholera in sufficient doses to relax the capillaries without, at the same time, injuriously impairing the respiratory changes in the blood and tissues.
Molecular functions of nuclear actin in transcription

Actin is not only a major cytoskeletal component in all eukaryotic cells but also a nuclear protein that plays a role in gene transcription. We put together data from in vitro and in vivo experiments that begin to provide insights into the molecular mechanisms by which actin functions in transcription. Recent studies performed in vitro have suggested that actin, in direct contact with the transcription apparatus, is required in an early step of transcription that is common to all three eukaryotic RNA polymerases. In addition, there is evidence from in vivo studies that actin is involved in the transcription elongation of class II genes. In this case, actin is bound to a specific subset of premessenger RNA binding proteins, and the actin–messenger RNP complex may constitute a molecular platform for recruitment of histone-modifying enzymes. We discuss a general model for actin in RNA polymerase II transcription whereby actin works as a conformational switch in conjunction with specific adaptors to facilitate the remodeling of large macromolecular assemblies at the promoter and along the active gene.
Monitoring Temporary Immunodepression by Flow Cytometric Measurement of Monocytic HLA-DR Expression : A Multicenter Study

Background: Single-center trials have shown that monocytic HLA-DR is a good marker for monitoring the severity of temporary immunodepression after trauma, major surgery, or sepsis. A new test for measuring monocytic HLA-DR is now available. Methods: We evaluated a new test monocytic HLA-DR expression (BD Quantibrite HLA-DR/Monocyte reagent; Becton Dickinson) in single-laboratory and interlaboratory experiments, assessing preanalytical handling, lyse-no-wash (LNW) vs lyse-wash (LW) values, reference values, and the effect of use of different flow cytometers and different instrument settings on test variance. Results: For preanalytical handling, EDTA anticoagulation, storage on ice as soon as possible, and staining within 4 h after blood collection gave results comparable to values obtained for samples analyzed immediately after collection (mean increase of 4% in monocytic HLA-DR). Comparison of LNW and LW revealed slightly higher results for LNW ( 18% higher for LNW compared with LW; r 0.982). Comparison of different flow cytometers and instrument settings gave CVs <4%, demonstrating the independence of the test from these variables and suggesting that this method qualifies as a standardized test. CV values from the interlaboratory comparison ranged from 15% (blood sample unprocessed before transport) to 25% (stained and fixed before transport). Conclusions: For the BD Quantibrite HLA-DR/Monocyte test, preanalytical handling is optimized. Singlelaboratory results demonstrated the independence of this test from flow cytometer and instrument settings. Interlaboratory results showed greater variance than single-laboratory values. This interlaboratory variance was partly attributable to the influence of transport and can be reduced by optimization of transport conditions. © 2005 American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Activity in Inferior Parietal and Medial Prefrontal Cortex Signals the Accumulation of Evidence in a Probability Learning Task

In an uncertain environment, probabilities are key to predicting future events and making adaptive choices. However, little is known about how humans learn such probabilities and where and how they are encoded in the brain, especially when they concern more than two outcomes. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), young adults learned the probabilities of uncertain stimuli through repetitive sampling. Stimuli represented payoffs and participants had to predict their occurrence to maximize their earnings. Choices indicated loss and risk aversion but unbiased estimation of probabilities. BOLD response in medial prefrontal cortex and angular gyri increased linearly with the probability of the currently observed stimulus, untainted by its value. Connectivity analyses during rest and task revealed that these regions belonged to the default mode network. The activation of past outcomes in memory is evoked as a possible mechanism to explain the engagement of the default mode network in probability learning. A BOLD response relating to value was detected only at decision time, mainly in striatum. It is concluded that activity in inferior parietal and medial prefrontal cortex reflects the amount of evidence accumulated in favor of competing and uncertain outcomes.
Adult Cleaner Wrasse Outperform Capuchin Monkeys, Chimpanzees and Orang-utans in a Complex Foraging Task Derived from Cleaner – Client Reef Fish Cooperation

The insight that animals' cognitive abilities are linked to their evolutionary history, and hence their ecology, provides the framework for the comparative approach. Despite primates renowned dietary complexity and social cognition, including cooperative abilities, we here demonstrate that cleaner wrasse outperform three primate species, capuchin monkeys, chimpanzees and orang-utans, in a foraging task involving a choice between two actions, both of which yield identical immediate rewards, but only one of which yields an additional delayed reward. The foraging task decisions involve partner choice in cleaners: they must service visiting client reef fish before resident clients to access both; otherwise the former switch to a different cleaner. Wild caught adult, but not juvenile, cleaners learned to solve the task quickly and relearned the task when it was reversed. The majority of primates failed to perform above chance after 100 trials, which is in sharp contrast to previous studies showing that primates easily learn to choose an action that yields immediate double rewards compared to an alternative action. In conclusion, the adult cleaners' ability to choose a superior action with initially neutral consequences is likely due to repeated exposure in nature, which leads to specific learned optimal foraging decision rules.
Crosstalk and Wire Length Reduction in the Non-Manhattan Channel Routing

A novel framework for non-Manhattan channel routing considering crosstalk and wire length reduction is proposed. To handle crosstalk and wire length reduction problem, an improved non-Manhattan router in the gridded routing model is developed, and a novel rerouting algorithm based on segment-rerouting technique and layer reassignment is presented. Simulation experiments demonstrate that our algorithm achieves very good results.
Propofol Treatment of Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Study of 31 Episodes

Summary: Purpose: Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a critical medical condition with high mortality. Although propofol (PRO) is considered an alternative treatment to barbiturates for the management of RSE, only limited data are available. The aim of this study was to assess PRO effectiveness in patients with RSE.