Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Task‐dependent and cell‐type‐specific Fos enhancement in rat sensory cortices during audio‐visual discrimination

Attention modulates neural activities in sensory cortices. Because cortical neurons are composed of many types of neurons, the activities of these different types of cells can exhibit different modifications depending on whether an animal pays attention to a particular sensory stimulus or not. In the present study, we examined which types of cortical neurons change their activities in rats during one of two types of audio‐visual discrimination (AVD) tasks by using Fos immunohistochemistry. In the tasks, both auditory and visual stimuli were simultaneously presented but only one of the two modalities was task‐relevant. Once the rats had learned one of the AVD tasks, presenting only relevant sensory stimuli was sufficient for them to perform the task correctly. These results suggest that the rats indeed attended to the relevant stimuli during the performance of the tasks. We found that Fos expression in the primary auditory and visual cortices was enhanced in a task‐dependent manner during the performance of the AVD tasks. The enhancement of Fos expression depended on the behavioural significance of the stimulus in the tasks. Moreover, using double immunohistochemistry of Fos and a cell type‐specific marker protein (phosphate‐activated glutaminase, nonphosphorylated neurofilament protein, parvalbumin, calretinin or somatostatin), the task‐dependent Fos expression was observed preferentially in excitatory neurons but not in inhibitory interneurons. These results suggest that modulation in cortical excitatory neurons might have critical roles in selecting and processing behaviourally relevant sensory stimuli.
Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in experimental retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are endopeptidases that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are involved in the pathogenesis of retinal degeneration along with tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The present study examined the expression and activation of two specific members of MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and their related inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in an experimental retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) was induced in adult rats with a ligation method. After one hour of ischemia and a varied reperfusion time (0, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 76 hr), the rat eyes were enucleated. Retinal extracts underwent zymographic analysis to measure the activity of MMP-2/9. The activity of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 was measured by reverse zymography. The protein level was examined by Western blot. Immunohistochemistry analysis was undertaken to assess the anatomical distribution of MMP-9 in the retina after RIRI. The gelatinolytic activity of ProMMP-2 (72 kDa) was increased markedly at 6 hr after RIRI. ProMMP-9 (92 kDa) was not detected in the control specimens, while it appeared at 3 hr, increased markedly at 6 hr, and reached maximal levels at 24 hr after RIRI. The gelatinolytic activity found ian retinal extracts was shown to be inhibited by 10 m M EDTA and activated in vitro by a known metalloproteinase activator (4-aminophenylmercuric acetate (APMA)), indicating that these enzymes were of the metalloproteinase class. By western blot, MMP-2/9 levels increased parallel to protein activity level in zymography. No corresponding increase in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 protein activity and protein level was detected by reverse zymography and western blot. Elevated levels of MMP-9 and its distribution in retina were confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Expression of MMP-9 was detected in the inner and outer segments of rat retina, and the level becomes stronger at 24 hr after RIRI. In this study, ProMMP-2 and ProMMP-9 were expressed and increased significantly, but their inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) remained relatively unaltered in ischemic retina after RIRI in rats. These results suggest that MMP-2 and MMP-9 may play an important role in the pathomechanism of retinal ischemic injury.
Can physical motions prevent disorientation in naturalistic VR?

Most virtual reality simulators have a serious flaw: Users tend to get easily lost and disoriented as they navigate. According to the prevailing opinion, this is because of the lack of actual physical motion to match the visually simulated motion: E.g., using HMD-based VR, Klatzky et al. [1] showed that participants failed to update visually simulated rotations unless they were accompanied by physical rotation of the observer, even if passive. If we use more naturalistic environments (but no salient landmarks) instead of just optic flow, would physical motion cues still be needed to prevent disorientation? To address this question, we used a paradigm inspired by Klatzky et al.: After visually displayed passive movements along curved streets in a city environment, participants were asked to point back to where they started. In half of the trials the visually displayed turns were accompanied by a matching physical rotation. Results showed that adding physical motion cues did not improve pointing performance. This suggests that physical motions might be less important to prevent disorientation if visuals are naturalistic enough. Furthermore, unexpectedly two participants consistently failed to update the visually simulated heading changes, even when they were accompanied by physical rotations. This suggests that physical motion cues do not necessarily improve spatial orientation ability in VR (by inducing obligatory spatial updating). These findings have noteworthy implications for the design of effective motion simulators.
Explaining the Role of User Commitment in Extended Use of Information Systems: An Empirical Investigation

Post-adoptive usage behaviors of information systems (IS) are critical for a firm to successfully improve performance and sustain competitive advantages. As a form of post-adoptive usage, extended use is conscious behavior beyond routine that requires the extra involvement of users’ time and efforts. Drawing upon the insights from the IS continuance model and organizational commitment theory, we developed a research model to investigate the role of user commitment in extended use of IS in this study. With the survey of 240 ERP users, our results indicated the important basis of IS continuance model for understanding post-adoptive extended use. We also found the different roles of commitment factors in explaining extended use. Specifically affective commitment influences extended use via user satisfaction; while continuous commitment has a direct effect on extended use. This study highlights that the integration of user commitment factors with IS continuance model contributes to better understanding post-adoptive extended use.
EMBRYONIC CHICK INTESTINE IN ORGAN CULTURE

Duodena from 20-day-old chick embryos can be maintained in large scale organ culture on specially designed stainless-steel grids in contact with serum-free medium for 48 h with excellent preservation of mucosal structure at both the light and electron microscope levels. Although mitotic rate was subnormal, several other factors attest to the essential viability of the cultured intestine: L-leucine incorporation into protein, as well as the synthesis of a specific vitamin D3-induced calcium-binding protein (CaBP), increased over a 48-h culture period, and the electropotential gradient across the intestine was maintained throughout the culture period as was a concentration gradient for calcium. The tissue responded to vitamin D3 in the medium by synthesizing the calcium-binding protein within 6 h and by exhibiting enhanced 45Ca uptake within 12–24 h. Concentrations of vitamin D3, or its 25-hydroxylated derivative, higher than necessary for CaBP induction, also increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase. The 1,25-dihydroxylated derivative of vitamin D3, at a level extremely potent in CaBP induction, did not stimulate alkaline phosphatase. Mucosal to serosal transport of 45Ca could also be measured in everted duodenal sacs, subsequent to culture under similar conditions, and was also increased by vitamin D3 in the medium. Other embryonic organs, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, lung, skin, and muscle, did not produce CaBP in response to vitamin D3 in the culture medium. However, CaBP-synthesizing capacity was present in the entire intestinal tract, exclusive of the rectum. 59Fe and 32P uptake by cultured duodenum were also stimulated by vitamin D3. The system has proven quite useful in the study of the vitamin D-mediated calcium absorptive mechanism but should be applicable to the study of the absorption of other nutrients, drugs, hormones, etc., as well as other studies of intestinal function.
Prospective comparison of subjective arousal during the pre‐sleep period in primary sleep‐onset insomnia and normal sleepers

Psychophysiological insomnia (PI) is the most common insomnia subtype, representing 12–15% of all sleep centre referrals. Diagnostic guidelines describe PI as an intrinsic sleep disorder involving both hyperarousal and learned sleep‐preventing associations. Whilst evidence for the first component is reasonably compelling, evidence for learned (conditioned) sleep effects is markedly lacking. Indeed, to date no study has attempted to capture directly the conditioned arousal effect assumed to characterize the disorder. Accordingly, the present study explored variations in subjective arousal over time in 15 PI participants (sleep onset type) and 15 normal sleepers (NS). Self‐report measures of cognitive arousal, somatic arousal and sleepiness were taken at three time points: 3 h before bedtime (early to mid‐evening); 1 h before bedtime (late evening); and in the bedroom at lights out (bedtime) across four, 24‐h cycles. Fluctuations in mean arousal and sleepiness values, and in day‐to‐day variation were examined using analyses of variance. Participants with PI were significantly more cognitive aroused and significantly less sleepy relative to NS, within the bedroom environment. These results support the tenet of conditioned mental arousal to the bedroom, although competing explanations cannot be ruled out. Results are discussed with reference to extant insomnia models.
Seasonal sediment transport and deposition in the Rajang River delta , Sarawak , East Malaysia

The Holocene Rajang River delta plain, which covers an area of 6500 km , has developed in a tropical, ever-wet climatic setting. Peat deposits, up to 15 m thick, occur in this delta plain. The tributary system to the delta is about 50,000 km 2 in area. Elevations exceed 2000 m in the drainage basin and hill slopes are steep. Rainfall in the region exceeds 370 cm/year, with highest rainfall levels or the “wet” season being coincident with the December–March monsoon. The monthly drainage-basin discharge is calculated to average about 3600 m /s, and the discharge normally ranges from 1000 to 6000 m /s. Spring tides in coastal areas range from 2.9 to 5.8 m. Tide data indicate that the tides are semidiurnal with a noticeable diurnal inequality. Vibracores recovered from bar forms in tidally influenced distributary channels contain laminated silts and sand-silt couplets that show evidence of rhythmic heterolithic stratification. Grain-size data indicate that these preserved delta plain siliciclastic sediments are the result of estuarine depositional processes that occur during intervals of reduced rainfall or the “dry” season (April–November). The number of laminae preserved per neap–spring cycle is the highest ( ù18–20), and the average thickness is the greatest in the middle part of the delta plain. Distributary channels in this region normally contain low-salinity brackish water to freshwater. Vibracores recovered from delta front and prodelta sediments show evidence of heterolithic stratification, but rhythmicity is absent. Grain-size data indicate that preserved delta front and prodelta sediments are implaced by “wet” season processes (December–March) when fluvial flux and delta-plain erosion are at their maxima. Individual silt laminae and/or silt and sand interbeds are sometimes many centimeters thick, but average about 1 cm. These silt laminae and silt and sand interbeds or varves represent annual sedimentation events. These varves demonstrate that about 24 million MT of sediment produced by the drainage basin is deposited in the delta front and prodelta region annually. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Inhalation devices: from basic science to practical use, innovative vs generic products

ABSTRACT Introduction: Inhalation therapy is a convenient method of treating respiratory diseases. The key factors required for inhalation are the preparation of drug carriers (aerosol particles) allowing reproducible dosing during administration. These technical challenges are accomplished with a variety of inhalation devices (inhalers) and medicinal formulations, which are optimized to be easily converted into inhalable aerosols. Areas covered: This review is focused on the most important, but often overlooked, effects, which are required for the reliable and reproducible inhalable drug administration. The effects of patient-related issues that influence inhalation therapy, such as proper selection of inhalers for specific cases is discussed. We also discuss factors that are the most essential if generic inhalation product should be considered equivalent to the drugs with the clinically confirmed efficacy. Expert opinion: Proper device selection is crucial in clinical results of inhalation therapy. The patients’ ability to coordinate inhalation with actuation, generation of optimal flow through the device, use of optimal inspiratory volume, all produces crucial effects on disease control. Also the severity of the disease process effects proper use of inhalers. Interchanging of inhalers can produce potentially conflicting problem regarding efficacy and safety of inhalation therapy.
Reproductive Number and Serial Interval of the First Wave of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Virus in South Africa

Background/Objective Describing transmissibility parameters of past pandemics from diverse geographic sites remains critical to planning responses to future outbreaks. We characterize the transmissibility of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 (hereafter pH1N1) in South Africa during 2009 by estimating the serial interval (SI), the initial effective reproductive number (initial Rt) and the temporal variation of Rt. Methods We make use of data from a central registry of all pH1N1 laboratory-confirmed cases detected throughout South Africa. Whenever date of symptom onset is missing, we estimate it from the date of specimen collection using a multiple imputation approach repeated 100 times for each missing value. We apply a likelihood-based method (method 1) for simultaneous estimation of initial Rt and the SI; estimate initial Rt from SI distributions established from prior field studies (method 2); and the Wallinga and Teunis method (method 3) to model the temporal variation of Rt. Results 12,360 confirmed pH1N1 cases were reported in the central registry. During the period of exponential growth of the epidemic (June 21 to August 3, 2009), we simultaneously estimate a mean Rt of 1.47 (95% CI: 1.30–1.72) and mean SI of 2.78 days (95% CI: 1.80–3.75) (method 1). Field studies found a mean SI of 2.3 days between primary cases and laboratory-confirmed secondary cases, and 2.7 days when considering both suspected and confirmed secondary cases. Incorporating the SI estimate from field studies using laboratory-confirmed cases, we found an initial Rt of 1.43 (95% CI: 1.38–1.49) (method 2). The mean Rt peaked at 2.91 (95% CI: 0.85–2.91) on June 21, as the epidemic commenced, and Rt>1 was sustained until August 22 (method 3). Conclusions Transmissibility characteristics of pH1N1 in South Africa are similar to estimates reported by countries outside of Africa. Estimations using the likelihood-based method are in agreement with field findings.
Fellow Traveller Versus Moral Stranger: How Overall Views of Offenders Impact on Punishment and Rehabilitation Decisions

Theoretical discussions have proposed that opinions relating to offenders can be viewed along a continuum, with the moral stranger at one end and the fellow traveller at the other (Connolly & Ward, 2008). At the very basic level the moral stranger is the offender who is a bad person, while the fellow traveller is the offender who has done a bad thing. It is proposed that where an individual’s view of offenders sits on the continuum will help determine punishment and rehabilitation decisions that they make about offenders. It is further proposed that these views are influenced by outside factors such as the way that the media portrays offenders. The media is an important source of information on crime and offenders (Gilliam & Iyengar, 2000; Klite, Bardwell, & Salzman, 1997), and so the way that the media write about offenders can influence the public’s opinions about offenders. The moral stranger and the fellow traveller are theoretical concepts at present, so the aim of the current research was to investigate these concepts in an empirical context. Firstly, Studies 1 and 2 presented crime vignettes written from either the moral stranger perspective or the fellow traveller perspective and then investigated what punishment and rehabilitation differences there were. Study 3 then developed a measure to evaluate individuals’ opinions about offenders, to create an empirical basis for the existing theory. The Opinions about Criminal Offenders (OCO) Scale was developed in Study 3. Study 4 then tested the psychometric properties of this Scale, and through further factor analysis the scale was pared down to 12-items made up of four subscales. Study 5 then brought together the empirical work from Studies 1 and 2 and the developed measure from Studies 3 and 4. Participants were presented with two vignettes, one written from a subjective view and the other from an objective view. They were also given the 12-item OCO Scale. Structural Equation Modelling was then used to extend the work of Studies 1 and 2, and to further develop the decision making process individuals go through. Results indicated that each subscale of the OCO predicted different judgements made about the offender, in terms of his characteristics and likelihood of reoffending, and that these judgements then predicted different judgements about the outcome of the offence, including punishment motive. These studies, together, show that the moral stranger and fellow traveller concepts do exist, as a continuum, and the development of the OCO Scale showed that there is utility in the scale in terms of the type of judgements made about an offender and an offence. The current study was conducted with a sex offence in the vignettes and so further research needs to extend this by using different offence types and different offender characteristics, to investigate how generalisable these findings are.
PECTIN METHYLESTERASE48 Is Involved in Arabidopsis Pollen Grain Germination1[OPEN]

Modifying homogalacturonans in the intine cell wall during maturation of the pollen grain is central for proper germination. Germination of pollen grains is a crucial step in plant reproduction. However, the molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. We investigated the role of PECTIN METHYLESTERASE48 (PME48), an enzyme implicated in the remodeling of pectins in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) pollen. A combination of functional genomics, gene expression, in vivo and in vitro pollen germination, immunolabeling, and biochemical analyses was used on wild-type and Atpme48 mutant plants. We showed that AtPME48 is specifically expressed in the male gametophyte and is the second most expressed PME in dry and imbibed pollen grains. Pollen grains from homozygous mutant lines displayed a significant delay in imbibition and germination in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, numerous pollen grains showed two tips emerging instead of one in the wild type. Immunolabeling and Fourier transform infrared analyses showed that the degree of methylesterification of the homogalacturonan was higher in pme48−/− pollen grains. In contrast, the PME activity was lower in pme48−/−, partly due to a reduction of PME48 activity revealed by zymogram. Interestingly, the wild-type phenotype was restored in pme48−/− with the optimum germination medium supplemented with 2.5 mm calcium chloride, suggesting that in the wild-type pollen, the weakly methylesterified homogalacturonan is a source of Ca2+ necessary for pollen germination. Although pollen-specific PMEs are traditionally associated with pollen tube elongation, this study provides strong evidence that PME48 impacts the mechanical properties of the intine wall during maturation of the pollen grain, which, in turn, influences pollen grain germination.
End-to-end optimization of goal-driven and visually grounded dialogue systems

End-to-end design of dialogue systems has recently become a popular research topic thanks to powerful tools such as encoder-decoder architectures for sequence-to-sequence learning. Yet, most current approaches cast human-machine dialogue management as a supervised learning problem, aiming at predicting the next utterance of a participant given the full history of the dialogue. This vision is too simplistic to render the intrinsic planning problem inherent to dialogue as well as its grounded nature , making the context of a dialogue larger than the sole history. This is why only chitchat and question answering tasks have been addressed so far using end-to-end architectures. In this paper, we introduce a Deep Reinforcement Learning method to optimize visually grounded task-oriented dialogues , based on the policy gradient algorithm. This approach is tested on a dataset of 120k dialogues collected through Mechanical Turk and provides encouraging results at solving both the problem of generating natural dialogues and the task of discovering a specific object in a complex picture.
Regulated Antisense Transcription Controls Expression of Cell-Type-Specific Genes in Yeast

ABSTRACT Transcriptome profiling studies have recently uncovered a large number of noncoding RNA transcripts (ncRNAs) in eukaryotic organisms, and there is growing interest in their role in the cell. For example, in haploid Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells, the expression of an overlapping antisense ncRNA, referred to here as RME2 (Regulator of Meiosis 2), prevents IME4 expression. In diploid cells, the a1-α2 complex represses the transcription of RME2, allowing IME4 to be induced during meiosis. In this study we show that antisense transcription across the IME4 promoter region does not block transcription factors from binding and is not required for repression. Mutational analyses found that sequences within the IME4 open reading frame (ORF) are required for the repression mediated by RME2 transcription. These results support a model where transcription of RME2 blocks the elongation of the full-length IME4 transcript but not its initiation. We have found that another antisense transcript, called RME3, represses ZIP2 in a cell-type-specific manner. These results suggest that regulated antisense transcription may be a widespread mechanism for the control of gene expression and may account for the roles of some of the previously uncharacterized ncRNAs in yeast.