Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sensitization of Rapid Dopamine Signaling in the Nucleus Accumbens Core and Shell after Repeated Cocaine in Rats Drug Administration

Sensitization of rapid dopamine signaling in the nucleus accumbens core and shell after repeated cocaine in rats. exposure and withdrawal leads to long-term changes, including be-havioral and dopamine sensitization to an acute cocaine challenge, that are most pronounced after long withdrawal periods. However, the changes in dopamine neurotransmission after short withdrawal periods are less well defined. To study dopamine neurotransmission after 1-day withdrawal, we used fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to determine whether repeated cocaine alters rapid dopamine release and uptake in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and shell. FSCV was performed in urethane anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats that had previously received one or seven daily injections of saline or cocaine (15 mg/kg, ip). In response to acute cocaine, subjects showed increased dopamine overflow that resulted from both increased dopa-mine release and slowed dopamine uptake. One-day cocaine pre-exposure, however, did not alter dopaminergic responses to a subsequent cocaine challenge. In contrast, 7-day cocaine-treated subjects showed a potentiated rapid dopamine response in both the core and shell after an acute cocaine challenge. In addition, kinetic analysis during the cocaine challenge showed a greater increase in apparent K m of 7-day cocaine exposed subjects. Together, the data provide the first in vivo demonstration of rapid dopamine sensitization in the NAc core and shell after a short withdrawal period. In addition, the data clearly delineate cocaine's release and uptake effects and suggest that the observed sensitization results from greater uptake inhibition in cocaine pre-exposed subjects. Cocaine acts in the brain to slow dopamine uptake through inhibition of the dopamine transporter (DAT) (Ritz et al. 1987) and thus increases the amount of time that dopamine is present in the extraneuronal space. Cocaine's ability to increase dopa-mine overflow, particularly in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), has been shown to play an important role in several models of dopaminergic mechanisms in the NAc shell have been shown to alter motivation for rewards such as cocaine, whereas dopamine in the NA core is important for goal-directed behavior (Ikemoto 2007; Ito et al. 2000, 2004). In addition, repeated cocaine administration also leads to a progressive, or sensi-tized, increase of dopamine overflow (Heidbreder et al. 1996; Kalivas and Duffy 1993a,b) because of changes in the brain An extensive amount of microdialysis literature has shown modulation of extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens after acute and repeated cocaine exposure (reviewed in Pierce and Kalivas 1997). Normally, dopaminergic neurons fire at a …
Adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by Squid Ommastrephes bartrami Melanin

The adsorption of Cd(II) and Pb(II) by squid melanin was investigated. At a metal ion concentration of 2 mM/L, the biosorption efficiency of melanin reached 95% for Cd(II) and Pb(II). The maximum content of bound Cd(II) and Pb(II) was 0.93 mM/g and 0.65 mM/g, respectively. Temperature had no obvious effect on the adsorption of the metals, and in a pH range of 4.0–7.0, the adsorption yield was high and stable. Macrosalts such as NaCl, MgCl2, and CaCl2 had no obvious effect on the binding of Pb(II) but greatly diminished the adsorption of Cd(II), which indicated that different functional groups in squid melanin are responsible for their adsorption. IR analysis of metal ion-enriched squid melanin demonstrated that the possible functional groups responsible for metal binding were phenolic hydroxyl (OH), carboxyl (COOH), and amine groups (NH). This study reports a new material for the removal of heavy metals from low-strength wastewater.
Mapping Mammalian Cell-type-specific Transcriptional Regulatory Networks Using KD-CAGE and ChIP-seq Data in the TC-YIK Cell Line

Mammals are composed of hundreds of different cell types with specialized functions. Each of these cellular phenotypes are controlled by different combinations of transcription factors. Using a human non islet cell insulinoma cell line (TC-YIK) which expresses insulin and the majority of known pancreatic beta cell specific genes as an example, we describe a general approach to identify key cell-type-specific transcription factors (TFs) and their direct and indirect targets. By ranking all human TFs by their level of enriched expression in TC-YIK relative to a broad collection of samples (FANTOM5), we confirmed known key regulators of pancreatic function and development. Systematic siRNA mediated perturbation of these TFs followed by qRT-PCR revealed their interconnections with NEUROD1 at the top of the regulation hierarchy and its depletion drastically reducing insulin levels. For 15 of the TF knock-downs (KD), we then used Cap Analysis of Gene Expression (CAGE) to identify thousands of their targets genome-wide (KD-CAGE). The data confirm NEUROD1 as a key positive regulator in the transcriptional regulatory network (TRN), and ISL1, and PROX1 as antagonists. As a complimentary approach we used ChIP-seq on four of these factors to identify NEUROD1, LMX1A, PAX6, and RFX6 binding sites in the human genome. Examining the overlap between genes perturbed in the KD-CAGE experiments and genes with a ChIP-seq peak within 50 kb of their promoter, we identified direct transcriptional targets of these TFs. Integration of KD-CAGE and ChIP-seq data shows that both NEUROD1 and LMX1A work as the main transcriptional activators. In the core TRN (i.e., TF-TF only), NEUROD1 directly transcriptionally activates the pancreatic TFs HSF4, INSM1, MLXIPL, MYT1, NKX6-3, ONECUT2, PAX4, PROX1, RFX6, ST18, DACH1, and SHOX2, while LMX1A directly transcriptionally activates DACH1, SHOX2, PAX6, and PDX1. Analysis of these complementary datasets suggests the need for caution in interpreting ChIP-seq datasets. (1) A large fraction of binding sites are at distal enhancer sites and cannot be directly associated to their targets, without chromatin conformation data. (2) Many peaks may be non-functional: even when there is a peak at a promoter, the expression of the gene may not be affected in the matching perturbation experiment.
Enriching Documents with Examples: A Corpus Mining Approach

Software developers increasingly rely on information from the Web, such as documents or code examples on application programming interfaces (APIs), to facilitate their development processes. However, API documents often do not include enough information for developers to fully understand how to use the APIs, and searching for good code examples requires considerable effort. To address this problem, we propose a novel code example recommendation system that combines the strength of browsing documents and searching for code examples and returns API documents embedded with high-quality code example summaries mined from the Web. Our evaluation results show that our approach provides code examples with high precision and boosts programmer productivity.
The Regulatory Role of Invariant NKT Cells in Tumor Immunity

Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a unique population of T lymphocytes, which lie at the interface between the innate and adaptive immune systems, and are important mediators of immune responses and tumor surveillance. iNKT cells recognize lipid antigens in a CD1d-dependent manner; their subsequent activation results in a rapid and specific downstream response, which enhances both innate and adaptive immunity. The capacity of iNKT cells to modify the immune microenvironment influences the ability of the host to control tumor growth, making them an important population to be harnessed in the clinic for the development of anticancer therapeutics. Indeed, the identification of strong iNKT-cell agonists, such as α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) and its analogues, has led to the development of synthetic lipids that have shown potential in vaccination and treatment against cancers. In this Masters of Immunology article, we discuss these latest findings and summarize the major discoveries in iNKT-cell biology, which have enabled the design of potent strategies for immune-mediated tumor destruction. Cancer Immunol Res; 3(5); 425–35. ©2015 AACR.
Adversary control strategies for discrete-time systems

This paper addresses the concept of adversary control for a single-input dynamical system. The system evolves in the discrete-time domain and is subject to both state and input hard constraints. A control law guarantees positive invariance and contractivity of a bounded, convex, polyhedral set with respect to the system as well as asymptotic stability of the origin with maximum convergence rate. Periodically, an adversary controller succeeds in gaining control of the system and sends false control commands attempting to drive the state vector outside of the polyhedral set at the maximum admissible rate. An enhanced adversary policy which takes measurement errors into account is also developed. Simulation studies highlight the results of this sequential, non-cooperative control game.
The Combined Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh and Vastus Lateralis Flap as Filler for Complex Perineal Defects

AbstractExtensive defects of the pelvis and genitoperineal region are a reconstructive challenge. We discuss a consecutive series of 25 reconstructions with the pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap including muscle part of the vastus lateralis (VL) in 23 patients from October 1999 to September 2012.Only surface defects larger than 100 cm2 and reconstructions by composite ALT + VL were included in this retrospective analysis. Of the 23 patients, 19 underwent oncologic resection, whereas 4 cases presented Fournier gangrene. Three patients did not reach 6 months of follow-up and were excluded from further data analysis. Among the remaining 20 patients (22 reconstructions), average follow-up period was 14 months (range, 10–18 months). Patient’s average age was 60 years. Average size of the defect was 182 cm2.Postoperative complications included 1 (4.5%) flap necrosis out of 22 raised flaps, 1 partial flap necrosis after venous congestion, and 2 cases where a complementary reconstructive procedure was performed due to remaining defect or partial flap failure. In 6 cases, peripheral wound dehiscence (27%) was treated by debridement followed by split-thickness skin graft or advancement local flaps. Defect size was significantly related to postoperative complications and increased hospital stay, especially in those patients who underwent preoperative radiotherapy. At the end of the follow-up period, a long-term and satisfactory coverage was obtained in all patients without functional deficits.This consecutive series of composite ALT + VL flap shows that, in case of extended defects, the flap provides an excellent and adjustable muscle mass, is reliable with minimal donor-site morbidity, and can even be designed as a sensate flap.
Perceived autonomy support from parents and best friends : Longitudinal associations with adolescents' depressive symptoms

According to the self-determination theory, experiencing autonomy support in close relationships is thought to promote adolescents' well-being. Perceptions of autonomy support from parents and from best friends have been associated with lower levels of adolescents' depressive symptoms. This longitudinal study examines the relative contribution of perceived autonomy support from parents and best friends in relation to adolescents' depressive symptoms and changes in these associations from early to late adolescence. Age and gender differences were also investigated. Questionnaires about mother, father, and a best friend were filled out by 923 early adolescents and 390 middle adolescents during five consecutive years, thereby covering an age range from 12 to 20. Multi-group cross-lagged path analysis revealed concurrent and longitudinal negative associations between perceived parental autonomy support and adolescents' depressive symptoms. No concurrent and longitudinal associations were found between perceived best friends' autonomy support and adolescents' depressive symptoms. Results were similar for early and middle adolescent boys and girls. Prevention and treatment programs should focus on the bidirectional interplay during adolescence between perceptions of parental autonomy support and adolescents' depressive symptoms.
Locus of control in chronic anxiety disorders

ABSTRACT– The relationship between psychopathology and the personality trait, locus of control, was examined in 116 adult outpatients diagnosed as having chronic anxiety disorder. Measures consisted of state and trait scales, a measure of social adjustment, and a measure of disturbance during childhood. Patients with an external locus of control were more depressed, had higher levels of state anxiety, and exhibited more indecisiveness, fatigue and agoraphobia than those with an internal locus of control. Externally oriented patients also scored higher on neuroticism and trait anxiety and scored lower on social adjustment. On the somatic scales, externally oriented patients rated themselves, in contrast to physician's rating, as being more symptomatic than internal patients, suggesting the presence of a help‐seeking attitude. Locus of control may be of importance in the formulation of therapy and prognosis in patients with anxiety disorders.
Ethanol-induced accumulation of ethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers in rats.

In adult female SPF Sprague-Dawley rats, exposed for 2 hours to 2-methoxy-ethanol (ME, 1600 ppm), 1-acetoxy-2-methoxy-ethane (AME, 800 ppm), 2-ethoxy-ethanol (EE, 420 ppm), or 1-acetoxy-2-ethoxy-ethane (AEE, 170 ppm) the blood level of ME (after ME or AME) or EE (after EE or AEE) was considerably increased after pretreatment with ethanol (20 mmol/kg b.w. i.p.). (ME and EE are metabolites of AME and AEE, respectively.) After i.p. co-administration of ME (10 mmol/kg), EE (10 mmol/kg) or butoxy-ethanol (BE, 2.5 mmol/kg) with ethanol (20 mmol/kg) the blood level of ME, EE, and BE remained nearly constant as long as ethanol levels in blood were above 3 mmol/l. Repeated i.p. dosing (5 times one injection per hour) with EE (4 mmol/kg) or ME (5 mmol/kg) plus ethanol (8 or 10 mmol/kg) each resulted in an almost complete accumulation of both ether compounds in the blood. Blood levels of ethanol were increased significantly after EE, but only slightly after ME administration. The prolonged retention of ME, EE, or BE is due to an inhibition of the degradation of these compounds following the competition with ethanol at the alcohol dehydrogenase, the common metabolizing enzyme. This study has demonstrated that glycol ether derivatives are extremely accumulated as long as only very low levels of ethanol are present in blood. Therefore, it is concluded that the elimination of the investigated glycol ethers after occupational exposure can be retarded in alcoholized employees causing an increased health risk of these chemicals following the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
Media evolution: emergence, dominance, survival, and extinction in the media ecology

This article presents an integrated model for understanding the evolution of media, aiming to go beyond the traditional reflections—which tend to reduce media history to a linear succession of technologies—to propose an integrated view of media evolution. Constructing a model of media evolution means going beyond the concepts used up until now—such as Bolter and Grusin’s remediation—to integrate into a single framework analytical categories such as emergence, adaptation, survival, and extinction. In this theoretical context, the article pays particular attention to the simulation processes that occur in the different phases of the evolution of a medium. Finally, a series of critical reflections on the sequential-linear and genealogical-branched evolution models are presented to propose alternatives that represent the complexity of the media ecosystem more closely.
Response of Bird Populations to Farmland Set‐Aside Programs

Abstract: The role of agricultural landscapes in biodiversity conservation has been largely ignored despite their potential role in conserving declining species. Within agricultural landscapes, set‐aside programs may offer the most promising conservation opportunities due to the large area involved in these programs. I explored the relationship between set‐aside effect size—on the basis of data from field studies of birds in cropland and set‐aside fields—and population changes following establishment of these fields. Species whose abundance was most strongly influenced by the establishment of set‐aside lands also tended to show positive changes in population trends following broad‐scale implementation of the set‐aside program. This relationship was strongest for grassland obligate birds, a group of birds experiencing broad‐scale population declines throughout North America. There is now increasing evidence that set‐aside lands within the United States are providing population‐level benefits to grassland birds. Nevertheless, there are also increasing concerns about the stability of these set‐aside lands in the face of increased demand for crops and rising commodity prices. If set‐aside area within the United States is allowed to decline, additional declines of birds and perhaps other taxa within agricultural landscapes seem likely.
Evaluation of nutraceutical properties of Jamun squash Probioticated using kefir seeds

An attempt was made to formulate nutritious probiotic functional drink through fermentation of Jamun squash using kefir seeds. Initially, physio-chemical parameters of Jamun fruits were evaluated to enhance the processing of squash. Kefir seeds were produced by inoculating kefir grains in pasteurised cow milk and it was subjected to biochemical characterization and presence of probiotic bacteria was confirmed. Probiotic Jamun squash (PJS) was prepared by mixing pasteurized fruit juice along with sugar syrup and inoculated with kefir seeds. Sensory evaluation of PJS gave 90% acceptability by panel members after 72hrs of fermentation duration at 10°C. Nutritional composition such as total carbohydrate, protein, cholesterol and vitamin C content were estimated for PJS, Jamun Squash (JS) and Kefir seeds. The results of total antioxidant content (TAC), total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were found to be significant for PJS when compared to JS. Similarly, PJS was tested for antimicrobial activity against four different species and maximum zone of inhibition (20mm) was obtained against Salmonella typhi. The antidiabetic activity was performed through α-amylase inhibition assay and percentage of inhibition for JS, Kefir seeds and PJS was to be 40, 38 and 47% respectively. Similarly shelf life study of PSJ gave favourable results. Thus the probiotic Jamun squash can be used as a novel product with various beneficial effects and this study could promote commercialization of PSJ as functional drink and pharmaceutical supplement.
Effects of Context on Target Localization

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate how the presence of non-target objects can influence the planning of a movement towards a remembered target location. One specific aim was to examine how the temporal effects of the task could affect movement planning. The final aim of this thesis was to examine whether or not the mere presence of extrinsic cues can suppress the encoding of intrinsic cues. It was found that when non-target objects are presented simultaneously with the target, interference occurs; however, if the non-target objects are presented at least 250 ms in advance of the targets performance improved. The results also revealed that uncertainty regarding trial type altered participants' response strategy. It appears as though when participants can anticipate when the response is required, they plan the movement as the trial progresses, however, it appears as though when there is uncertainty participants either suppress their movement plan or hold the representation of target location and only plan the movement when uncertainty has been resolved. Furthermore, the results of Experiments 3 and 4 indicated that participants automatically encode target location within an extrinsic reference frame when non-target objects are available. The principal conclusion was that movement planning is clearly affected by the presence of non-target objects.
Modeling Task fMRI Data Via Deep Convolutional Autoencoder

Task-based functional magnetic resonance imaging (tfMRI) has been widely used to study functional brain networks under task performance. Modeling tfMRI data is challenging due to at least two problems: the lack of the ground truth of underlying neural activity and the highly complex intrinsic structure of tfMRI data. To better understand brain networks based on fMRI data, data-driven approaches have been proposed, for instance, independent component analysis (ICA) and sparse dictionary learning (SDL). However, both ICA and SDL only build shallow models, and they are under the strong assumption that original fMRI signal could be linearly decomposed into time series components with their corresponding spatial maps. As growing evidence shows that human brain function is hierarchically organized, new approaches that can infer and model the hierarchical structure of brain networks are widely called for. Recently, deep convolutional neural network (CNN) has drawn much attention, in that deep CNN has proven to be a powerful method for learning high-level and mid-level abstractions from low-level raw data. Inspired by the power of deep CNN, in this paper, we developed a new neural network structure based on CNN, called deep convolutional auto-encoder (DCAE), in order to take the advantages of both data-driven approach and CNN’s hierarchical feature abstraction ability for the purpose of learning mid-level and high-level features from complex, large-scale tfMRI time series in an unsupervised manner. The DCAE has been applied and tested on the publicly available human connectome project tfMRI data sets, and promising results are achieved.
MOCA : MObile Certificate Authority for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

An authentication service is one of the the most fundamental building blocks for providing communication security. In this paper, we present the MOCA (MObile Certificate Authority) key management framework designed to provide authentication service for ad hoc wireless networks. MOCA is a distributed certificate authority (CA) based on threshold cryptography. We present a set of guidelines for a secure configuration of threshold cryptography to maintain strong security. MOCA utilizes a carefully selected set of mobile nodes to function as a collective certificate authority while the MOCA nodes are kept anonymous. Equipped with a novel routing protocol designed to support the unique communication pattern for certification traffic, MOCA achieves high availability without sacrificing security. Both the security of the framework and the operational performance is evaluated with rigorous analysis and extensive simulation study.