Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neurokinin-1 Receptor Activation in Globus Pallidus

The undecapeptide substance P has been demonstrated to modulate neuronal activity in a number of brain regions by acting on neurokinin-1 receptors. Anatomical studies revealed a moderate level of neurokinin-1 receptor in rat globus pallidus. To determine the electrophysiological effects of neurokinin-1 receptor activation in globus pallidus, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed in the present study. Under current-clamp recordings, neurokinin-1 receptor agonist, [Sar9, Met(O2)11] substance P (SM-SP) at 1 μM, depolarized globus pallidus neurons and increased their firing rate. Consistently, SM-SP induced an inward current under voltage-clamp recording. The depolarization evoked by SM-SP persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin, glutamate and GABA receptor antagonists, indicating its direct postsynaptic effects. The neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, SR140333B, could block SM-SP-induced depolarization. Further experiments showed that suppression of potassium conductance was the predominant ionic mechanism of SM-SP-induced depolarization. To determine if neurokinin-1 receptor activation exerts any effects on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, the action of SM-SP on synaptic currents was studied. SM-SP significantly increased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents, but only induced a transient increase in the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents. No change was observed in both spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. Based on the direct excitatory effects of SM-SP on pallidal neurons, we hypothesize that neurokinin-1 receptor activation in globus pallidus may be involved in the beneficial effect of substance P in Parkinson's disease.
A motor and a brake: two leg extensor muscles acting at the same joint manage energy differently in a running insect.

The individual muscles of a multiple muscle group at a given joint are often assumed to function synergistically to share the load during locomotion. We examined two leg extensors of a running cockroach to test the hypothesis that leg muscles within an anatomical muscle group necessarily manage (i.e. produce, store, transmit or absorb) energy similarly during running. Using electromyographic and video motion-analysis techniques, we determined that muscles 177c and 179 are both active during the first half of the stance period during muscle shortening. Using the in vivo strain and stimulation patterns determined during running, we measured muscle power output. Although both muscles were stimulated during the first half of shortening, muscle 177c generated mechanical energy (28 W x kg(-1)) like a motor, while muscle 179 absorbed energy (-19 W x kg(-1)) like a brake. Both muscles exhibited nearly identical intrinsic characteristics including similar twitch kinetics and force-velocity relationships. Differences in the extrinsic factors of activation and relative shortening velocity caused the muscles to operate very differently during running. Presumed redundancy in a multiple muscle group may, therefore, represent diversity in muscle function. Discovering how muscles manage energy during behavior requires the measurement of a large number of dynamically interacting variables.
The tryptophan metabolite picolinic acid suppresses proliferation and metabolic activity of CD4+ T cells and inhibits c‐Myc activation

Tryptophan metabolites, including kynurenine, 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid, and picolinic acid, are key mediators of immunosuppression by cells expressing the tryptophan‐catabolizing enzyme indoleamine2,3‐dioxygenase. In this study, we assessed the influence of picolinic acid on cell viability and effector functions of CD4+ T cells following in vitro activation with agonistic anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 antibodies. In contrast to kynurenine and 3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid, exposure of T cells with picolinic acid did not affect cell viability, whereas proliferation and metabolic activity were suppressed in a dose‐dependent manner. On the other hand, cytokine secretion and up‐regulation of cell surface activation markers were not or only weakly inhibited by picolinic acid. Picolinic acid exposure induced a state of deep anergy that could not be overcome by the addition of exogenous IL‐2 and inhibited Th cell polarization. On the molecular level, important upstream signaling molecules, such as the MAPKs ERK and p38 and the mammalian target of rapamycin target protein S6 ribosomal protein, were not affected by picolinic acid. Likewise, NFAT, NF‐κB, and AP‐1 promoter activity in Jurkat T cells was not influenced by exposure to picolinic acid. Whereas transcriptional levels of v‐myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog were not affected by picolinic acid, phosphorylation at Ser62 was strongly reduced in picolinic acid‐exposed T cells following activation. In conclusion, picolinic acid mediates a unique immunosuppressive program in T cells, mainly inhibiting cell cycle and metabolic activity, while leaving other effector functions intact. These functional features are accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of v‐myc avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog. It remains to be determined whether this effect is mediated by direct inhibition of ERK activity or whether indirect mechanisms apply.
The Psychology of Being " Right " : The Problem of Accuracy in Social Perception and Cognition

Several difficulties are noted with general questions psychologists have been asking about human accuracy, such as whether people are typically accurate or inaccurate, what the boundary conditions for accuracy are, or the general process whereby accuracy may be improved. Instead, a situationally specific approach to accuracy is adopted in which a central role is assigned to the judgmental process. Accordingly, two general paradigms are distinguished addressing accuracy from realistic and phenomenal perspectives. The realist paradigm focuses on subjects' judgments and the degree to which these correspond to an external criterion. The phenomenal paradigm focuses on subjects' internal criterion as well as their perceptions of the target judgment and the judgment-to-criterion correspondence. Research possibilities in each paradigm are noted. It is suggested that attention to judgmental factors may extend accuracy work in previously unexplored directions.
Neuronal Expression of a Functional Receptor for the C5a Complement Activation Fragment1

The present studies were undertaken to determine whether neuronal subsets in normal brains constitutively express functionally competent C5a receptors. In situ hybridization studies coupled with immunohistochemical approaches revealed that most neurons in the hippocampal formation, many pyramidal cortical neurons, and cerebellar Purkinje neurons in normal human and murine brains constitutively express C5a receptors. Neuronal C5a receptors bound C5a-coated fluorescent microspheres, and primary rodent hippocampal neurons responded to C5a with increased calcium fluxes via a pertussis-sensitive, presumably Gi-coupled protein. Additional studies with human neuroblastoma cells conducted to address the functional role of C5a receptors revealed that C5a triggered rapid activation of protein kinase C and activation and nuclear translocation of the NF-κB transcription factor. In addition, C5a was found to be mitogenic for undifferentiated human neuroblastoma cells, a novel action for the C5aR. In contrast, C5a protected terminally differentiated human neuroblastoma cells from toxicity mediated by the amyloid Aβ peptide. Thus, normal rodent hippocampal neurons as well as undifferentiated and differentiated human neuroblastoma cells express functional C5a receptors. These results have implications for understanding the role of neuronal C5aR receptors in normal neuronal development, neuronal homeostasis, and neuroinflammatory conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Sensorimotor gating impairments induced by MK-801 treatment may be reduced by tolerance effect and by familiarization in monkeys

Dizocilpine (MK-801) is a non-competitive NMDA antagonist that induces schizophreniclike effects. It is therefore widely used in experimental models of schizophrenia including prepulse inhibition (PPI) impairments in rodents. Nevertheless, MK-801 has never been tested in monkeys on a PPI paradigm. In order to evaluate MK-801 effects on monkeys’ PPI, we tested eight capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.) using three different doses of MK-801 (0.01; 0.02; 0.03 mg/kg). Results show PPI impairment in acute administration of the highest dose (0.03 mg/kg). PPI impairment induced by MK-801 was reversed by re-exposure to the PPI test throughout treatment trials, in contrast with rodent studies. These results indicate that tolerance effect and familiarization with PPI test may reduce the sensorimotor gating deficits induced by MK-801 in monkeys, suggesting a drug-training interaction.
Overexpression of the CBF2 transcriptional activator in Arabidopsis delays leaf senescence and extends plant longevity

Leaf senescence is a programmed developmental process governed by various endogenous and exogenous factors, such as the plant developmental stage, leaf age, phytohormone levels, darkness, and exposure to stresses. It was found that, in addition to its well-documented role in the enhancement of plant frost tolerance, overexpression of the C-repeat/dehydration responsive element binding factor 2 (CBF2) gene in Arabidopsis delayed the onset of leaf senescence and extended the life span of the plants by approximately 2 weeks. This phenomenon was exhibited both during developmental leaf senescence and during senescence of detached leaves artificially induced by either darkness or phytohormones. Transcriptome analysis using the Affymetrix ATH1 genome array revealed that overexpression of CBF2 significantly influenced the expression of 286 genes in mature leaf tissue. In addition to 30 stress-related genes, overexpression of CBF2 also affected the expression of 24 transcription factor (TF) genes, and 20 genes involved in protein metabolism, degradation, and post-translational modification. These results indicate that overexpression of CBF2 not only increases frost tolerance, but also affects other developmental processes, most likely through interactions with additional TFs and protein modification genes. The present findings shed new light on the crucial relationship between plant stress tolerance and longevity, as reported for other eukaryotic organisms.
A Preliminary Description of the Dental Morphology of the Peruvian Indian

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA DESCRIPTION PRELIMINARI DEL MORPHOLOGIA DENTAL IN INDIANOS DE PERU. —Le dentes del indianos de Peru es grande. Lor incisores es in forma de pala. Crestas labio-marginal es frequente (pala duple e tres quartos de pala duple). Incisores lateral in forma de barril se trova occasionalmente. Multe molares M1 ha 4 cuspides, con reduction del magnitude del hypocono in un medietate del casos. Le molares M2 e M3 monstra hypoconos minus frequentmente. Un medietate del molares M3 ha tres cuspides. Le cuspide de Carabelli in le molar M 1 es infrequente, e generalmente su expression es non plus que intermedie. Le molares M2 e M3 es usualmente disproviste de cuspides de Carabelli. In 70 pro cento del molares Mi, le configuration es Y5; in 30 pro cento, illo es +5. Le molares M2 e M3 frequentemente monstra le configuration +5. Nulle caso de configuration Y4 esseva incontrate. Un protostilido esseva trovate in numerose dentes. In le molares M1, M2, e M3, su frequentia amontava a 70, 45, e 13 pro cento, respectivemente.
Fractional order controller design and Particle Swarm Optimization applied to a nonlinear system

This work focuses on the development and real time implementation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) based PI controller and Fractional Order Proportional Integral (FO-PI) controller for a nonlinear system. The nonlinear system taken up for study is conical tank level system whose parameters vary with respect to the process variable. Data acquisition card PCI. 6251 (Peripheral Computer Interconnect) is used for acquisition purposes. The performance comparison of the ZN/PI, PSO/PI and FO-PI controllers are compared based on performance indices like maximum peak overshoot, settling time and Integral Square Error (ISE). The proposed FO-PI controller and PSO/PI controller is tested on the chosen nonlinear system and better controller performance can be envisaged by in the proposed methods than that of the ZN/PI controller.
Beyond the blank slate: routes to learning new coordination patterns depend on the intrinsic dynamics of the learner—experimental evidence and theoretical model

Using an approach that combines experimental studies of bimanual movements to visual stimuli and theoretical modeling, the present paper develops a dynamical account of sensorimotor learning, that is, how new skills are acquired and old ones modified. A significant aspect of our approach is the focus on the individual learner as the basic unit of analysis, in particular the quantification of predispositions and capabilities that the individual learner brings to the learning environment. Such predispositions constitute the learner's behavioral repertoire, captured here theoretically as a dynamical landscape (“intrinsic dynamics”). The learning process is demonstrated to not only lead to a relatively permanent improvement of performance in the required task—the usual outcome—but also to alter the individual's entire repertoire. Changes in the dynamical landscape due to learning are shown to result from two basic mechanisms or “routes”: bifurcation and shift. Which mechanism is selected depends the initial individual repertoire before new learning begins. Both bifurcation and shift mechanisms are accommodated by a dynamical model, a relatively straightforward development of the well-established HKB model of movement coordination. Model simulations show that although environmental or task demands may be met equally well using either mechanism, the bifurcation route results in greater stabilization of the to-be-learned behavior. Thus, stability not (or not only) error is demonstrated to be the basis of selection, both of a new pattern of behavior and the path (smooth shift versus abrupt qualitative change) that learning takes. In line with these results, recent neurophysiological evidence indicates that stability is a relevant feature around which brain activity is organized while an individual performs a coordination task. Finally, we explore the consequences of the dynamical approach to learning for theories of biological change.
The Distance to NGC 6397 by M-Subdwarf Main-Sequence Fitting

Recent years have seen a substantial improvement both in photometry of low-luminosity stars in globular clusters and in modeling the stellar atmospheres of late-type dwarfs. We build on these observational and theoretical advances in undertaking the first determination of the distance to a globular cluster by main-sequence fitting using stars on the lower main sequence. The calibrating stars are extreme M subdwarfs, as classified by Gizis, with parallaxes measured to a precision of better than 10%. Matching against King et al.'s deep [V, (V-I)] photometry of NGC 6397, and adopting EB-V = 0.18 mag, we derive a true distance modulus of 12.13 ± 0.15 mag for the cluster. This compares with (m - M)0 = 12.24 ± 0.1 derived through conventional main-sequence fitting in the [V, (B-V)] plane. Allowing for intrinsic differences due to chemical composition, we derive a relative distance modulus of δ(m - M)0 = 2.58 mag between NGC 6397 and the fiducial metal-poor cluster M92. We extend this calibration to other metal-poor clusters and examine the resulting RR Lyrae (MV, [Fe/H]) relation.
Aspects of turnover and biogenesis of synaptic vesicles at locust neuromuscular junctions as revealed by zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide (ZIO) reacting with intravesicular SH-groups

Retractor unguis nerve muscle preparations from the locust were subjected to the zinc iodide-osmium tetroxide reaction (ZIO) after pre- fixation in glutaraldehyde. Applied for 18 h at 4 degrees C in the dark, ZIO reacts at pH 4.2--4.0 fairly selectively with the matrix of synaptic vesicles. Approximately 53% of the vesicles are completely and 4% partially stained. The percentage of ZIO-positive vesicles is increased to nearly 90% and reduced to 4% or less by pretreatment with SH-protecting (dithiothreitol) or SH-blocking (N-ethylmaleimide, p- chloromercuriphenyl sulfonic acid) and SH-oxidizing (azodicarboxylic acid-bis-dimethylamide) reagents, respectively. Stimulation of the motor nerve at 20 Hz for 7 min, partially fatiguing synaptic transmission, reduces the number of vesicles per square micrometer of terminal area by approximately 52%; 2 min of rest restores this number of its pre-stimulation level. These changes are chiefly accounted for by changes in the number of completely ZIO-positive vesicles. 2 min after the end of stimulation, partially ZIO-positive vesicles are three times more frequent than before. With all experimental conditions, the average volume of vesicles was as follows: ZIO-negative less than partially ZIO-positive less than completely ZIO-positive. The average volume of ZIO-positive vesicles is almost unaffected by stimulation; that of ZIO-negative vesicles is decreased by 25% immediately after stimulation, increasing with subsequent rest to the initial level after 1 h. It is suggested (a) that ZIO demonstrates intravesicular protein(s) containing SH-groups and (b) that the completely ZIO- positive vesicles represent the mature ones ready to be used for transmitter release. How the ZIO reaction differentiates between different developmental stages of vesicles which could arise from the smooth endoplasmic reticulum is discussed.
NEIL1 protects against aflatoxin-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in mice

Significance Human dietary exposures to aflatoxin in some of the most populated and underdeveloped portions of the world are a major contributing factor to the formation of human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) that account for over 700,000 deaths annually. Although the genomic signatures for aflatoxin-driven carcinogenesis are G:C to T:A point mutations arising from bypass of aflatoxin-induced DNA adducts, maintenance of genome stability has been generally attributed to nucleotide excision repair. However, we present three lines of evidence that the DNA base excision repair pathway initiated by the DNA glycosylase NEIL1 is the major contributor in maintaining genomic stability following aflatoxin exposures. These findings suggest that inactivating NEIL1 polymorphic variants in the human population could affect susceptibility to aflatoxin-induced HCC. Global distribution of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) is dominated by its incidence in developing countries, accounting for >700,000 estimated deaths per year, with dietary exposures to aflatoxin (AFB1) and subsequent DNA adduct formation being a significant driver. Genetic variants that increase individual susceptibility to AFB1-induced HCCs are poorly understood. Herein, it is shown that the DNA base excision repair (BER) enzyme, DNA glycosylase NEIL1, efficiently recognizes and excises the highly mutagenic imidazole ring-opened AFB1-deoxyguanosine adduct (AFB1-Fapy-dG). Consistent with this in vitro result, newborn mice injected with AFB1 show significant increases in the levels of AFB1-Fapy-dG in Neil1−/− vs. wild-type liver DNA. Further, Neil1−/− mice are highly susceptible to AFB1-induced HCCs relative to WT controls, with both the frequency and average size of hepatocellular carcinomas being elevated in Neil1−/−. The magnitude of this effect in Neil1−/− mice is greater than that previously measured in Xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group A (XPA) mice that are deficient in nucleotide excision repair (NER). Given that several human polymorphic variants of NEIL1 are catalytically inactive for their DNA glycosylase activity, these deficiencies may increase susceptibility to AFB1-associated HCCs.
From tunable core-shell nanoparticles to plasmonic drawbridges: Active control of nanoparticle optical properties

Redox electrochemistry was used to reversibly tune the optical properties of plasmonic core-shell nanoparticles and dimers. The optical properties of metallic nanoparticles are highly sensitive to interparticle distance, giving rise to dramatic but frequently irreversible color changes. By electrochemical modification of individual nanoparticles and nanoparticle pairs, we induced equally dramatic, yet reversible, changes in their optical properties. We achieved plasmon tuning by oxidation-reduction chemistry of Ag-AgCl shells on the surfaces of both individual and strongly coupled Au nanoparticle pairs, resulting in extreme but reversible changes in scattering line shape. We demonstrated reversible formation of the charge transfer plasmon mode by switching between capacitive and conductive electronic coupling mechanisms. Dynamic single-particle spectroelectrochemistry also gave an insight into the reaction kinetics and evolution of the charge transfer plasmon mode in an electrochemically tunable structure. Our study represents a highly useful approach to the precise tuning of the morphology of narrow interparticle gaps and will be of value for controlling and activating a range of properties such as extreme plasmon modulation, nanoscopic plasmon switching, and subnanometer tunable gap applications.
Geomorphic evolution of the Dongar River Basin, Son Valley, Central India

ABSTRACT The present study is an attempt to describe the geomorphic evolution of the Dongar River Basin, Son Valley, Central India. To achieve this target, a detailed field survey and morphometric analysis of the river have been carried out using Cartosat-DEM data with the help of ArcGIS 10 software. The basin area of the Dongar River is 35.17 km2 having trellis and sub-dendritic to dendritic drainage patterns. The Dongar River is designated as fourth-order basin and lower order streams mostly dominate in the basin with the drainage density value of 1.21 km−1. The stream order of the basin is predominantly controlled by physiographic and tectonic set-up of the study area. The slope of basin varies from 0° to 42.04° and is mainly controlled by the local geology and erosional cycles. The bifurcation ratio (Rb) for the studied basin varies from 1.58 to 4. The higher values of the bifurcation ratio, i.e., of second/third along with third/fourth order, reveal the regional geological and tectonic controls when river starts draining along the exposures of lower Vindhyan . The elongation ratio of the basin is 0.86 thus indicates high infiltration capacity, low runoff, and low-to-moderate slope of the river basin. The increase in stream length ratio from lower to higher order shows that the basin has reached mature geomorphic stage. The major trends of lineaments are ENE – WSW, i.e., almost analogous to Son-Narmada lineament suggesting that Son-Narmada lineament played an important role to control the drainage dynamics and evolution of the adjacent river basins. These features along the Dongar River and the orientation of the major lineaments suggest neotectonics, may be due to reactivation of the Son-Narmada lineament.
A particle-mesh method for the shallow water equations near geostrophic balance

In this paper we outline a new particle-mesh method for rapidly rotating shallow water flows based on a set of regularized equations of motion. The time-stepping method uses an operator splitting of the equations into an Eulerian gravity wave part and a Lagrangian advection part. An essential ingredient is the advection of absolute vorticity by means of translated radial basis functions. We show that this implies exact conservation of enstrophy. The method is tested on two model problems based on the qualitative features of the solutions obtained (i.e., dispersion or smoothness of potential vorticity contours) as well as on the increase in mean divergence level.