Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain Activity Patterns Uniquely Supporting Visual Feature Integration after Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients typically respond more slowly and with more variability than controls during tasks of attention requiring speeded reaction time. These behavioral changes are attributable, at least in part, to diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which affects integrated processing in distributed systems. Here we use a multivariate method sensitive to distributed neural activity to compare brain activity patterns of patients with chronic phase moderate to-severe TBI to those of controls during performance on a visual feature integration task assessing complex attentional processes that has previously shown sensitivity to TBI. The TBI patients were carefully screened to be free of large focal lesions that can affect performance and brain activation independently of DAI. The task required subjects to hold either one or three features of a Target in mind while suppressing responses to distracting information. In controls, the multi-feature condition activated a distributed network including limbic, prefrontal, and medial temporal structures. TBI patients engaged this same network in the single-feature and baseline conditions. In multi-feature presentations, TBI patients alone activated additional frontal, parietal, and occipital regions. These results are consistent with neuroimaging studies using tasks assessing different cognitive domains, where increased spread of brain activity changes was associated with TBI. Our results also extend previous findings that brain activity for relatively moderate task demands in TBI patients is similar to that associated with of high task demands in controls.
How does the visual system analyze patterns of movement generated by walking animals ?

does the visual system analyze patterns of movement generated by walking animals? Johansson (1973) initiated the systematic study of " biological motion " perception by demonstrating that observers could readily recognize simplified depictions of human locomotion. In a darkened environment, Johansson and his colleagues filmed the movements of individuals with point light sources attached to their major joints. Observers of the films were rapidly able to identify the movements generated by the point-light–defined actors even though the displays were nearly devoid of form information. Subsequent research indicates that our ability to recognize point light walkers is rapid One of the central issues in the study of biological motion perception concerns whether the primary level of analysis is local or global. While local and global are difficult to define as absolute terms, most researchers in this field define local analyses as the computations conducted within small spatiotemporal neighborhoods on individual points (joints) or point pairs (limbs). Global analyses are conducted over larger areas and generally involve at the very least two limbs up to an entire point light walker. Early models of point light walker perception emphasized the local detection of pairs of rigidly connected points. These models took advantage of the fact that pairs of points corresponding to the joints at either end of a limb are rigidly connected. The identification of rigidly connected point pairs was followed by a combination of the pairs into larger groups until a correctly connected human form was constructed (Hoffman & Flinchbaugh, 1982; Webb & Aggarwal, 1982). However , these models are unable to explain the orientation specificity of biological motion perception. That is, although observers can readily identify an upright point light walker, recognition rates fall substantially when point light walkers are presented upside-down (see, Behavioral evidence supporting the global analysis of biological motion usually involves masked point light walker displays. Masks are thought to reduce the accuracy of local analyses by surrounding each walker point with other moving points to increase the number of possible false correspondences. Studies based on this approach have demonstrated that subjects are able to detect the presence as well as the direction of motion of upright point light walkers in random dot masks (Cutting, Moore, & Morrison, 1988) and scrambled limb masks (Berten-thal & Pinto, 1994). The global analysis of biological motion is also suggested from neurophysiological studies of the macaque temporal lobe. Neurons in the anterior …
Hepatitis B Virus X Protein and Simian Virus 5 V Protein Exhibit Similar UV-DDB1 Binding Properties To Mediate Distinct Activities

ABSTRACT The UV-damaged DNA-binding activity protein (UV-DDB) consists of two subunits, DDB1 and DDB2, and functions in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. The DDB1 subunit is a target for the hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx). Binding of HBx to DDB1 interferes with cell growth and viability in culture and has been implicated in the establishment of viral infection. DDB1 also interacts with the V proteins encoded by several paramyxoviruses including simian virus 5 (SV5), which prevent interferon signaling by targeting either STAT1 or STAT2 proteins for proteolysis. The role of V binding to DDB1, however, remains unclear. Here we show that the V protein of SV5 (SV5-V) and HBx exhibit strikingly similar DDB1 binding properties. Thus, SV5-V and HBx bind to DDB1 in a mutually exclusive manner, and SV5-V shares with HBx the ability to enhance the steady-state levels of DDB1 and to inhibit its association with DDB2. Yet only HBx induces cell death, and SV5-V can prevent HBx from doing so by blocking its interaction with DDB1. Binding of SV5-V to DDB1 may serve another function, since SV5-V shows a decreased ability to induce STAT1 degradation in cells expressing reduced amounts of DDB1. These findings demonstrate that HBx performs a unique function through its association with DDB1 for which SV5-V cannot substitute and suggest that SV5-V and HBx have evolved to bind DDB1 to achieve distinct functions, both by a mechanism that does not involve DDB2.
Effects of lormetazepam and other benzodiazepine receptor ligands on car driving‐related skills

Adequate car driving ability is essential for accident avoidance. Driving ability means the capability of the driver to keep a technically safe vehicle on a safe road without accident and free of danger to himself and to other traffic participants. Driving ability is influenced by the overall state of motivation, experience and fatigue of the driver, and is dependent on higher cognitive functions, perception, response selection and sensorimotor functioning. The large number of traffic accidents attributed to so‐called ‘driver failure’ include a high percentage of accidents in which the driver had taken drugs within the last 24‐hour period before the accident occurred. Results are presented from various studies showing different effects on driving performance and reaction time following nighttime application of long‐acting and short‐acting hypnotics. Furthermore, alcohol was used as an agent interfering with the test drugs. Different benzodiazepines were tested in two different situations characterized by high and low loads of motor coordination and vigilance level. In both experimental approaches it was revealed that in comparison to other hypnotics lormetazepam belongs to the group which do not exert hangover effects on drivingrelated skills. Even if lormetazepam were taken together with alcohol in the evening no driving‐related decrements were discovered the next morning. In conclusion it could be stated that lormetazepam belongs to the class of safe hypnotics inducing driving impairment far less than that produced by 0·8 BAC mg/ml, which is the upper legal limit for driving in Germany.
Inequalities in Scientific Understanding

This study assesses two key types of knowledge assessments, factual and perceived knowledge, in the study of knowledge gaps. In addition, we distinguish between communication channels in exploring the phenomenon, examining nanotechnology knowledge gaps based on levels of attention to traditional media, science blog use, and the frequency of interpersonal discussion. Using regression analysis, we find that how researchers measure knowledge can significantly affect the discovery of gaps. We also find differential effects based on communication channels, including evidence that the direction of perceived gaps in knowledge can be reversed as media consumption increases. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Diaspora and drug trafficking in West Africa: A case study of Ghana

This article interrogates the emergence of drug trafficking in contemporary Ghana and West Africa within the context of a global political economy, situated within a deeper historical perspective. It examines the earlier trafficking of cannabis along the coast of West Africa in the colonial period, and the later transnational networks that have emerged to promote international drug trafficking (cocaine and heroin). The article probes how the African diaspora and international travel service these emerging drug networks in Ghana, West Africa, Europe and the Americas. It suggests that the concept of an 'ideological diaspora' could shed light on a shared global popular culture, which constitutes a counter culture and rationalizes criminal activities. IN A RECENT, IMPORTANT ARTICLE ON WEST AFRICAN CRIMINAL NETWORKS in southern Africa, Mark Shaw highlighted the need for academic research despite the difficulty in researching crime - to provide a fuller understanding of African criminal networks, 'not least to provide an independent and strategic overview of developments and the identification of trends'. ' Much of the existing literature on the trafficking of illicit narcotic drugs (cannabis, heroin, and cocaine) has been from a policy perspective, funded
Role of Polymeric Excipients in the Stabilization of Olanzapine when Exposed to Aqueous Environments

Hydrate formation is a phase transition which can occur during manufacturing processes involving water. This work considers the prevention of hydration of anhydrous olanzapine and hydrate conversions in the presence of water and polymers (polyethyleneglycol; hydroxypropylcellulose; polyvinylpyrrolidone) in forming pellets by wet extrusion and spheronisation. Anhydrous olanzapine was added to water with or without those polymers prior to extrusion with microcrystalline cellulose. Assessment of olanzapine conversion was made by XRP-Diffraction; FTIR spectroscopy; calorimetry (DSC) and microscopy (SEM for crystal size and shape). The addition of water converted the anhydrous form into dihydrate B and higher hydrate; whereas polyethyleneglycol promoted a selective hydrate conversion into the higher hydrate olanzapine form. Both polyvinylpyrrolidone and hydroxypropylcellulose prevented the hydrate transformations of the anhydrous drug; the latter even in the presence of hydrate seeds. This may be explained by the higher H-bond ability; higher network association and higher hydrophobicity of hydroxypropylcellulose by comparison with polyethyleneglycol and polyvinylpyrrolidone; which could contribute to its higher affinity to the crystal surfaces of the hydrate nuclei/initial crystals and promoting steric hindrance to the incorporation of other drug molecules into the crystal lattice; thus, preventing the crystal growth. The addition of microcrystalline cellulose needed for the pellets production (final product) did not eliminate the protector effect of both hydroxypropylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone during pellets’ processing and dissolution evaluation.
Innovation or Normalization in E-Campaigning?

■ Scholars have seldom tested the innovation and normalization paradigm of e-campaigning over time. Particularly outside the US, there is a lack of comparative analyses of candidate or party websites that deal with the concept's temporal validity and scope. The article addresses this research gap through a longitudinal content and structural analysis of German party websites in the 2002 and 2005 national elections. The results provide empirical evidence of a twofold development of federal e-campaigns: while the major party websites evolved over time in information density, interactivity and sophistication (innovation), the minor parties were throughout characterized by an underutilization of structural website functions (normalization). On the content level, however, the major parties also adhered primarily to traditional offline strategies such as metacommunication or negative campaigning (normalization). Hence, a theoretical refinement of these basic concepts emerged according to a party's political status and the unit of analysis used. ■
STRUCTURE OF THE PARASITE COMMUNITIES OF A CORAL REEF FISH ASSEMBLAGE (LABRIDAE): TESTING ECOLOGICAL AND PHYLOGENETIC HOST FACTORS

The role of ecological and phylogenetic processes is fundamental to understanding how parasite communities are structured. However, for coral reef fishes, such information is almost nonexistent. In this study, we analyzed the structure of the parasite communities based on composition, richness, abundance, and biovolume of ecto- and endoparasites of 14 wrasse species (Labridae) from Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. We determine whether the structure of the parasite communities from these fishes was related to ecological characteristics (body size, abundance, swimming ability, and diet) and/or the phylogenetic relatedness of the hosts. We examined 264 fishes from which almost 37,000 individual parasites and 98 parasite categories (types and species) were recorded. Gnathiid and cestode larvae were the most prevalent and abundant parasites in most fishes. Mean richness, abundance, and biovolume of ectoparasites per fish species were positively correlated with host body size only after controlling for the host phylogeny, whereas no such correlation was found for endoparasites with any host variable. Because most ectoparasites have direct transmission, one possible explanation for this pattern is that increased space (host body size) may increase the colonization and recruitment of ectoparasites. However, endoparasites generally have indirect transmission that can be affected by many other variables, such as number of prey infected and rate of parasite transmission.
Autoimmune Response to the Thyroid in Humans: Thyroid Peroxidase-The Common Autoantigenic Denominator

Autoimmunity to thyroid peroxidase (TPO), manifest as high affinity IgG class auto-antibodies, is the common denominator of human thyroid autoimmunity, encompassing patients with overt hyper-or hypothyroidism as well as euthyroid individuals with subclinical disease. The identification and cloning of TPO (the “thyroid microsomal antigen”) provided the critical tool for analyzing B and T cell reactivity to this major thyroid autoantigen. In particular, the availability of immunoreactive TPO permitted the isolation of essentially the entire repertoire of human monoclonal antibodies, a feat unparalled in an organ-specific autoimmune disease. These recombinant autoantibodies (expressed as Fab) provide insight into the genes encoding their H and L chains as well as the conformational epitopes on TPO with which serum autoantibodies interact. Analyses of TPO autoantibody epitopic “fingerprints” indicate a lack of epitope spreading as well as a genetic basis for their inheritance. Limited data are available for the responses and cytokine profiles of T cells to endogenously processed TPO. Moreover, the role of thyroid cells in initiating the autoimmune response to TPO, and of B cells in expanding and/or modulating the response of sensitized T cells, has yet to be established. Finally, because autoantibody (and likely T cell) responses to TPO parallel those to TSH receptor and thyroglobulin, manipulation of T and B cell responses to TPO may provide the basis for the development of immunospecific therapy for autoimmune thyroid disease in general.
Hepatoprotective Effect of Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Human and animal studies have shown that some drugs and chemical agents have potential hepatotoxic effects. The hepatotoxic effect of drugs and some chemical agents is reported to be associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS are reported to be associated with lipid peroxidation in the liver. This mechanism has led to continuous evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of antioxidants in humans and animals. Among the antioxidants been evaluated is vitamin C which is a water soluble antioxidant. Reports have linked vitamin C with hepatoprotective property in animals and humans. It synergistic hepatoprotective effect with other antioxidants was also reported. Due to these reports a comprehensive literature review on the hepatoprotective property of vitamin C in humans and animals was performed. It was observed that vitamin C exhibited a reputable hepatoprotective effect in humans and animals. Research showed that vitamin C inhibited hepatotoxicity induced by drugs, heavy metals, organophosphate insecticides and some chemical agents. Vitamin C was reported to normalized levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamine, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase and malondialdehyde and serum bilirubin in intoxicated animals. It potentiates the activities of free radical scavengers, superoxide dimutase, and catalase glutathione peroxidase thereby preventing microsomal lipid peroxidation, liver fibrosis, liver necrosis and hepatic inflammation. In humans vitamin C was reported to be beneficial in non alcoholic steatohepatitis and in patients with fatty liver disease. Hepatoprotective property of vitamin C is attributed to it antioxidant property. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which is a major water-soluble antioxidant is believed to decrease lipid peroxidation either directly or indirectly by regenerating vitamin E. Vitamin C is an important free radical scavenger in extracellular fluids, trapping radicals and protecting biomembranes from peroxide damage. Vitamin C effectively scavenges singlet oxygen, superoxide, hydroxyl, water soluble peroxyl radical and hypochlorous acid. It is also reported to be an excellent source of electrons and therefore can donate electrons to free radicals such as hydroxyl and super oxide radicals and quench their activity. Vitamin C is an essential co-factor involved in many biochemical functions and acts as an electron donor or reducing agent. In this review it is observe that vitamin C has hepatoprotective effect which increases when co administered with other agents precisely antioxidants.
The Big Five personality domains as predictors of social wellbeing in Iranian university students

This study investigated the relationship between the Big Five personality domains and the dimensions of social wellbeing among Iranian students. Participants were 236 university students at the University of Tehran. Bivariate correlations showed a modest overlap between personality factors and dimensions of social wellbeing. Among the Big Five personality domains, neuroticism was negatively related to social acceptance, social contribution, and social coherence. Conscientiousness was positively related to social contribution. Openness was positively related to social contribution and social coherence. Agreeableness was related to social acceptance and social contribution. No significant correlation was observed between extraversion and dimensions of social wellbeing. Results of regression analysis and canonical correlation analysis mainly converged with those of bivariate correlation analysis in showing that there was a modest relationship between the predictors and social wellbeing dimensions. Results of canonical correlation analysis indicated that the full model explained about 28% of the variance shared between the personality factors and social wellbeing variables. Results also revealed that male students scored significantly higher than female students on social wellbeing. However, gender did not moderate the relation between the Big Five personality domains and social wellbeing. Implications of the results are discussed with reference to prior studies on the relation among personality traits, gender, and hedonic and eudaimonic components of wellbeing in Iran and other countries.
International Agenda-Building and Agenda-Setting

To explore the influence of international public relations on US news media and public perceptions of foreign nations, this study used a triangulation of methods by comparing public relations counsel for foreign nations, media content and public opinion data in 1998 and 2002. The results indicate that while the relationship between public relations counsel and media coverage was minimal at the level of object and substantive attribute salience, noteworthy linkages were observed with affective attribute salience. In general, public relations counsel was associated with a decrease in the amount of negative news coverage. At the level of individual news stories, it was connected to increased positive valence in media content. For the dimensions of news coverage associated with public relations, media salience was related to public salience and attitudes regarding foreign nations. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
In Silico and in Vitro Modeling of Hepatocyte Drug Transport Processes: Importance of ABCC2 Expression Levels in the Disposition of Carboxydichlorofluroscein

The impact of transport proteins in the disposition of chemicals is becoming increasingly evident. Alteration in disposition can cause altered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters, potentially leading to reduced efficacy or overt toxicity. We have developed a quantitative in silico model, based upon literature and experimentally derived data, to model the disposition of carboxydichlorofluroscein (CDF), a substrate for the SLCO1A/B and ABCC subfamilies of transporters. Kinetic parameters generated by the in silico model closely match both literature and experimentally derived kinetic values, allowing this model to be used for the examination of transporter action in primary rat hepatocytes. In particular, we show that the in silico model is suited to the rapid, accurate determination of Ki values, using 3-[[3-[2-(7-chloroquinolin-2-yl)vinyl]phenyl]-(2-dimethylcarbamoylethylsulfanyl)methylsulfanyl] propionic acid (MK571) as a prototypical pan-ABCC inhibitor. In vitro-derived data are often used to predict in vivo response, and we have examined how differences in protein expression levels between these systems may affect chemical disposition. We show that ABCC2 and ABCC3 are overexpressed in sandwich culture hepatocytes by 3.5- and 2.3-fold, respectively, at the protein level. Correction for this in markedly different disposition of CDF, with the area under the concentration versus time curve and Cmax of intracellular CDF increasing by 365 and 160%, respectively. Finally, using kinetic simulations we show that ABCC2 represents a fragile node within this pathway, with alterations in ABCC2 having the most prominent effects on both the Km and Vmax through the pathway. This is the first demonstration of the utility of modeling approaches to estimate the impact of drug transport processes on chemical disposition.