Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Three‐photon microscopy shows that somatic release can be a quantitatively significant component of serotonergic neurotransmission in the mammalian brain

Recent experiments on monoaminergic neurons have shown that neurotransmission can originate from somatic release. However, little is known about the quantity of monoamine available to be released through this extrasynaptic pathway or about the intracellular dynamics that mediate such release. Using three‐photon microscopy, we directly imaged serotonin autofluorescence and investigated the total serotonin content, release competence, and release kinetics of somatic serotonergic vesicles in the dorsal raphe neurons of the rat. We found that the somata of primary cultured neurons contain a large number of serotonin‐filled vesicles arranged in a perinuclear fashion. A similar distribution is also observed in fresh tissue slice preparations obtained from the rat dorsal raphe. We estimate that the soma of a cultured neuron on an average contains about 9 fmoles of serotonin in about 450 vesicles (or vesicle clusters) of ≤370 nm average diameter. A substantial fraction (>30%) of this serotonin is released with a time scale of several minutes by K+‐induced depolarization or by para‐chloroamphetamine treatment. The amount of releasable serotonin stored in the somatic vesicles is comparable to the total serotonin content of all the synaptic vesicles in a raphe neuron, indicating that somatic release can potentially play a major role in serotonergic neurotransmission in the mammalian brain. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of Gender on Students Academic Achievement in Secondary School Social Studies

This paper investigated the effect of gender on students academic achievement in secondary school Social Studies. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design (2x2 non-randomized pre-test, post-test control group) comprising six groups made up of four experimental groups and two control groups. Six schools and one hundred and eighty (180) Upper basic 2 students in Delta and Edo States made up the sample for the study. Six intact classes were randomly selected and assigned to experimental and control groups. The instrument used in this study is the achievement instrument tagged “Social Studies Achievement Test” (SSAT). The validity and reliability of these instruments were established. The reliability of the instruments was established using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient (r). And the reliability coefficients obtained was 0.79. Means, Standard Deviation, Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) Result revealed that: gender (male/female) had no significant effect on students achievement in Social Studies and finally, result showed that there was significant interaction effect of treatment and gender on students academic performance in Social Studies. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made. Keywords: Gender, academic achievement
How Does Corporate Ethics Contribute to Firm Financial Performance?

Despite the increasing significance of corporate ethics, few studies have explored the intermediate mechanisms that explain the relationship between corporate ethics and firm financial performance. Drawing on institutional theory and strategic human resource management literature, the authors hypothesize that the internal collective processes based on employees’ collective organizational commitment and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) mediate the ethics–performance relationship at the organizational level. The authors’ hypotheses are tested using data collected from 3,821 employees from 130 Korean companies and the respective companies’ financial performance data. The results indicate that collective organizational commitment and interpersonal OCB are meaningful intervening processes that connect corporate ethics to firm financial performance. To complement prior studies that identify a firm’s reputation and external relations as mediators between corporate ethics and performance, the present study highlights the need to examine microprocesses occurring within the organization to account for the ethics–firm performance relationship. Moreover, the present demonstration of collective organizational commitment and OCB as meaningful predictors of a firm’s objective performance indicates the significance of these employee processes in explaining organizational-level outcomes.
Training Input-Output Recurrent Neural Networks through Spectral Methods

Author(s): Sedghi, Hanie; Anandkumar, Anima | Abstract: We consider the problem of training input-output recurrent neural networks (RNN) for sequence labeling tasks. We propose a novel spectral approach for learning the network parameters. It is based on decomposition of the cross-moment tensor between the output and a non-linear transformation of the input, based on score functions. We guarantee consistent learning with polynomial sample and computational complexity under transparent conditions such as non-degeneracy of model parameters, polynomial activations for the neurons, and a Markovian evolution of the input sequence. We also extend our results to Bidirectional RNN which uses both previous and future information to output the label at each time point, and is employed in many NLP tasks such as POS tagging.
Prospective study of fruit and vegetable intake and risk of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Several epidemiologic studies have reported associations between fruit and vegetable intake and reduced risk of prostate cancer, but the findings are inconsistent and data on clinically relevant advanced prostate cancer are limited. METHODS We evaluated the association between prostate cancer risk and intake of fruits and vegetables in 1338 patients with prostate cancer among 29,361 men (average follow-up = 4.2 years) in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Participants completed both a general risk factor and a 137-item food-frequency questionnaire at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS Vegetable and fruit consumption was not related to prostate cancer risk overall; however, risk of extraprostatic prostate cancer (stage III or IV tumors) decreased with increasing vegetable intake (RR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.22 to 0.74, for high versus low intake; P(trend) = . 01). This association was mainly explained by intake of cruciferous vegetables (RR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.36 to 0.98, for high versus low intake; P(trend) = . 02), in particular, broccoli (RR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.34 to 0.89, for >1 serving per week versus <1 serving per month; P(trend) = . 02) and cauliflower (RR = 0.48, 95% CI = 0.25 to 0.89 for >1 serving per week versus <1 serving per month; P(trend) = . 03). We found some evidence that risk of aggressive prostate cancer decreased with increasing spinach consumption, but the findings were not consistently statistically significant when restricted to extraprostatic disease. CONCLUSION High intake of cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli and cauliflower, may be associated with reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer, particularly extraprostatic disease.
Comparison the effectiveness of aripiprazole and risperidone for the treatment of acute bipolar mania

Background: Second-generation antipsychotics, approved for the treatment of mania, are associated with adverse effects such as weight gain and metabolic disorders. Aripiprazole, a recently introduced second-generation antipsychotic, are thought to account for its low propensity for weight gain, metabolic disturbances and sedation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of risperidone versus aripiprazole in the treatment of acute mania. Materials and Methods: Fifty patients with acute episodes of mania were enrolled in this study, and they were randomly assigned into a risperidone group of 24 cases and an aripiprazole group of 26 cases. In group A, aripiprazole with a dose of 5-30 mg/day and in group B, risperidone with a dose of 2-8 mg/day was given to patients. The average dose of aripiprazole was 27 mg/day, and the average dose of risperidone was 6 mg/day. The effects of each drug for the treatment of acute mania were assessed on the 1st day of admission and on days 2, 4, 6, 8 and at weeks 2, 4 and 6 after therapy using the young mania rating scale (YMRS) and at the baseline and on weeks 3 and 6 after admission using the clinical global impression (CGI) scale. Results: The mean age of the group of risperidone was 34 ± 8.6 years and in a group of aripiprazole it was 34 ± 9.1 years (P = 0.83). Comparison of YMRS scores over the period of 6 weeks revealed a statistically significant difference in both groups (P < 0.0001). There was also a statistically significant difference in YMRS scores between risperidone and aripiprazole at day 8 (P = 0.026) and weeks 2 (P = 0.035) and 4 (P = 0.042). There was also a statistically significant difference in CGI-Severity scale score at weeks 3 (P = 0.003) and 6 (P = 0.000) and in CGI-Improvement scale score at weeks 3 (P = 0.005) and 6 (P = 0.002). The most common side-effect observed in both groups was headache (0%15/4 in aripiprazole vs. %16/7 in risperidone) Conclusion: Aripiprazole that is readily available in our market, could be considered more effective than risperidone in the treatment of acute mania.
Relationship between tumour angiogenesis and expression of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A in human renal cell carcinoma

Objective *These authors contributed equally to this work. To study the relationship between tumour angiogenesis and expression of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A in human renal cell carcinoma. Methods Archival samples of primary human renal cell carcinoma tissue and surrounding normal renal tissue (control samples) obtained from patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma were analysed for COX-2 and VEGF-A expression by immunohistochemistry using specific monoclonal antibodies. Tumour microvasculature was examined using factor VIII-related antigen antibody staining. Results A total of 33 renal cell carcinoma and 12 control renal tissue specimens were included. COX-2 and VEGF-A genes were overexpressed in tumour specimens compared with normal epithelia. A significant correlation was found between COX-2 and VEGF-A expression. Microvessel density was found to be increased in tumour tissues that expressed COX-2 and VEGF-A. Conclusion Microvessel density was increased in tumour tissues that expressed COX-2 and VEGF-A, suggesting that COX-2 and VEGF-A are related to tumour angiogenesis in human renal cell carcinoma.
Revisiting the 1897 Shillong and 1905 Kangra earthquakes in northern India: Site response, Moho reflections and a triggered earthquake

Re-evaluated intensity distributions for the 1897 M w 8.0 Shillong and the 1905 M w 7.8 Kangra earthquakes, combined with geodetic constraints on rupture geometries, allow us to compare observed distributions of intensitywith theoretically predicted shaking. The difference between predicted and observed shaking is interpreted in terms of the site response of the Ganges and Brahmaputra basins. These comparisons identify regions of enhanced shaking along main rivers, revealing amplifications of 1-2 intensity units, roughly an amplification of 2-4 in acceleration. We also find two unexpected results in our analysis of the Kangra earthquake: (i) The epicentral region is surrounded by a halo of enhanced intensity at 150-200 km radius and (ii) The Dehra Dun region was the locus of a broad region of anomalously high intensities. We interpret the former result as the signal from post-critical Moho reflections and the latter observation as a probable second large earthquake (M > 7) at 30-50 km depth triggered within minutes of the 1905 main shock. These results have important consequences from future earthquakes in the Himalaya.
A Survey on Soft Computing Techniques for Multi-Constrained QoS Routing in MANET

—Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) is a collection of mobile nodes that dynamically create a wireless network amongst them without using any infrastructure. Due to resource constraints and dynamic topology, supporting Quality of Service (QoS) in MANETs is a challenging task. The problem of QoS routing is difficult and to find a feasible route multi-constraints is NP-Complete problem. Neural Networks (NNs) and Evolutionary algorithms promise solutions to such complicated problems, they have been used successfully in various practical applications. In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the solutions designed for MANETs and their related issues and to pave way for further research, a survey of QoS concept on the basis of disparate routing schemes, intelligence field including Neural Networks and Evolutionary Algorithm concepts has been discussed.
Problems and benefits of using a computer for laboratory data processing.

More experience in the routine use of computers probably exists in the field of pathology than in any other branch of medicine. Even so, the planning and setting up of a computer system for handling laboratory data presents many difficulties. Definitive answers to many of the problems which arise cannot be expected until a lot more experience has been built up and it will probably be some years before the ideal system emerges and is perfected. However, the undoubted benefits of using a computer make it worth while struggling to overcome the initial difficulties. The problems and benefits discussed here are those which have been experienced at University College Hospital, London, when using an off-line computer to process biochemical data, and when planning for an on-line system which is to embrace all the data-handling activities of the chemical pathology service. Almost without exception, however, the problems and benefits are likely to be the same in all branches of pathology; many are discussed in greater technical detail elsewhere (Flynn, Alexander, Chalmers, Grant, Jenkins, Lapage, Robertson Smith, Squire, Stirland, Whitby, Whitehead, and Wootton, 1968).
An omni-vision based localization method for automatic helicopter landing assistance on standard helipads

An omni-vision-based localization method for automatic helicopter landing assistance on a helipad with a circled H-shape is proposed. The landing process includes two stages: approaching and alignment. Three types of image features, circle, line, and point, are used to derive skillfully analytic equations for computing the helicopter height, distance, and orientation with respect to the landing site. Experimental results with good location estimation accuracy are also shown. †
Metal traces in white dwarfs of the SPY (ESO Supernova Ia Progenitor Survey) sample

We search for faint Ca II lines in the spectra of about 800 apparently single white dwarfs observed at high resolution for the SPY (ESO Supernova Progenitor Survey) survey. Photospheric Ca is detected in 24 DAZ; in 25 mostly hot objects the observed lines must be interstellar. We also rediscover 9 strong H and K lines in helium-dominated atmospheres and discover for the first time faint lines in 8 DB. Most of these also show faint hydrogen lines and are thus classified DBAZ. The distribution of metal abundances is discussed and compared with the predictions of the accretion/diffusion scenario. We argue that the observations are easier to understand in a scenario of continuous ongoing accretion with rates varying with the conditions of the ambient medium, rather than with the strongly idealized "two phase accretion/diffusion scenario" of Dupuis et al. (1992, 1993a,b).
A ROSAT survey of Hickson's compact galaxy groups

We report the results of an almost complete survey of the X-ray properties of Hickson's compact galaxy groups with the ROSAT PSPC. Diffuse X-ray emission is detected from 22 groups. We infer that hot intragroup gas is present in $\gtsimm 75\%$ of these systems and derive their X-ray luminosity function. Earlier reports that only spiral-poor systems exhibit diffuse X-ray emission are found to be incorrect. Strong correlations are found between the X-ray luminosity and both the gas temperature and the velocity dispersion of the group galaxies. We argue that these properties provide strong evidence that most of these groups are genuinely compact configurations, rather than line-of-sight superpositions. Comparison with the X-ray properties of galaxy clusters indicate a significant steepening of the $L:T$ relation below $T\sim1$\keV, which may result from the action of galaxy winds.
Compression Stockings Reduce Occupational Leg Swelling

BACKGROUND Evening edema of the legs is a physiologic phenomenon occurring after sitting and standing. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate which compression pressure is necessary to prevent leg swelling. METHODS In 12 volunteers, the volume of both lower legs was measured in the morning and 7 h later, the difference being defined as evening edema (mL). The procedure was carried out for 4 days, in which the subjects wore below-knee stockings of different compression levels alternatively on one leg only in a random order. Compression pressure was assessed using the HATRA device. RESULTS The average evening edema of the noncompressed legs was 62.4 mL on the left side and 94.4 mL on the right side (n.s.). Evening edema was significantly reduced to 40.3 mL by light support stockings, to −34.1 mL by compression class A, to −39.6 by compression class I, and to −59.1 mL by compression class II. Mainly stockings exerting a pressure above 10 mmHg improved subjective symptoms. CONCLUSION Calf-length compression stockings with a pressure range between 11 and 21 mmHg are able to reduce or totally prevent evening edema and may therefore be recommended for people with a profession connected with long periods of sitting or standing.
Mallard or chicken? Comparing the isolation of avian influenza A viruses in embryonated Mallard and chicken eggs

Background To date, the most efficient and robust method for isolating avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) is using embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs). It is known that low-pathogenic avian IAVs undergo rapid genetic changes when introduced to poultry holdings, but the factors driving mutagenesis are not well understood. Despite this, there is limited data on the effects of the standard method of virus isolation of avian-derived viruses, that is, whether isolation in ECEs causes adaptive changes in avian IAVs. Eggs from a homologous species could potentially offer an isolation vessel less prone to induce adaptive changes. Methods We performed eight serial passages of two avian IAVs isolated from fecal samples of wild Mallards in both ECEs and embryonated Mallard eggs, and hemagglutination assay titers and hemagglutinin sequences were compared. Results There was no obvious difference in titers between ECEs and embryonated Mallard eggs. Sequence analyses of the isolates showed no apparent difference in the rate of introduction of amino acid substitutions in the hemagglutinin gene (three substitutions in total in embryonated Mallard eggs and two substitutions in ECEs). Conclusion Embryonated Mallard eggs seem to be good isolation vessels for avian IAVs but carry some practical problems such as limited availability and short egg-laying season of Mallards. Our study finds isolation of Mallard-derived avian IAVs in ECEs non-inferior to isolation in embryonated Mallard eggs, but more research in the area may be warranted as this is a small-scale study.
Characterization of Slackia exigua Isolated from Human Wound Infections, Including Abscesses of Intestinal Origin

ABSTRACT Eleven clinical strains isolated from infected wound specimens were subjected to polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene showed that all 11 strains were phylogenetically related to Slackia exigua. Additionally, conventional and biochemical tests of 6 of the 11 strains were performed as supplementary methods to obtain phenotypic identification by comparison with the phenotypes of the relevant type strains. S. exigua has been considered an oral bacterial species in the family Coriobacteriaceae. This organism is fastidious and grows poorly, so it may easily be overlooked. The 16S rRNA gene sequences and the biochemical characteristics of four of the S. exigua strains isolated for this study from various infections indicative of an intestinal source were almost identical to those of the validated S. exigua type strain from an oral source and two of the S. exigua strains from oral sources evaluated in this study. Thus, we show for the first time that S. exigua species can be isolated from extraoral infections as well as from oral infections. The profiles of susceptibility to selected antimicrobials of this species were also investigated for the first time.
The interacting effects of cognitive demand and recovery of postural stability in balance-impaired elderly persons.

BACKGROUND Although postural recovery is attentionally demanding in healthy elderly persons, an inability to recover balance due to competition for attentional resources between the postural system and a second task could contribute to falls in older adults with poor balance. This study examined the attentional demands of balance recovery from a mild postural disturbance in balance-impaired elderly persons. A second purpose of this research was to determine the effect of performing a cognitive task on the recovery of balance in balance-impaired elderly persons. METHODS Fifteen healthy older adults and 13 older adults with clinical balance impairment were exposed to balance disturbances by means of sudden movement of a platform on which they stood. A dual-task paradigm where postural recovery served as the primary task and verbal reaction time to auditory tones served as the secondary task was used to assess attentional demand. To determine the effect of the cognitive task on postural recovery, kinetic, kinematic, and neuromuscular measures of a feet-in-place response were investigated. RESULTS Balance recovery using a feet-in-place response was attentionally demanding in both groups of older adults and was more demanding in balance-impaired than in healthy elderly persons. With the concurrent performance of a cognitive task, balance-impaired elderly persons took longer to stabilize their center of pressure and regain balance than in a single task, while healthy elderly persons showed no change between conditions. In addition, only balance-impaired elderly individuals had a greater center-of-pressure resultant velocity during recovery in a dual-task compared with a single-task situation. CONCLUSIONS The ability to recover balance using a feet-in-place response was more attentionally demanding in balance-impaired than in healthy elderly persons. The recovery of balance was also slower and less efficient in balance-impaired elderly persons when simultaneously performing a cognitive task, whereas the ability of healthy elderly individuals to recover was not influenced by concurrent task demands. This suggests that dual-task performance may contribute to postural instability and falls in balance-impaired elderly individuals.