Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuroestrogens Rapidly Regulate Sexual Motivation But Not Performance

Estrogens exert pleiotropic effects on reproductive traits, which include differentiation and activation of reproductive behaviors and the control of the secretion of gonadotropins. Estrogens also profoundly affect non-reproductive traits, such as cognition and neuroprotection. These effects are usually attributed to nuclear receptor binding and subsequent regulation of target gene transcription. Estrogens also affect neuronal activity and cell-signaling pathways via faster, membrane-initiated events. How these two types of actions that operate in distinct timescales interact in the control of complex behavioral responses is poorly understood. Here, we show that the central administration of estradiol rapidly increases the expression of sexual motivation, as assessed by several measures of sexual motivation produced in response to the visual presentation of a female but not sexual performance in male Japanese quail. This effect is mimicked by membrane-impermeable analogs of estradiol, indicating that it is initiated at the cell membrane. Conversely, blocking the action of estrogens or their synthesis by a single intracerebroventricular injection of estrogen receptor antagonists or aromatase inhibitors, respectively, decreases sexual motivation within minutes without affecting performance. The same steroid has thus evolved complementary mechanisms to regulate different behavioral components (motivation vs performance) in distinct temporal domains (long- vs short-term) so that diverse reproductive activities can be properly coordinated to improve reproductive fitness. Given the pleiotropic effects exerted by estrogens, other responses controlled by these steroids might also depend on a slow genomic regulation of neuronal plasticity underlying behavioral activation and an acute control of motivation to engage in behavior.
Short Recertification Periods in the U.S. Food Stamp Program

The federal government requires states to recertify most participants in the Food Stamp Program at least once a year. In recent years, many states have dramatically increased their use of short recertification periods (three months or less) in an effort to lower their food stamp error rates. This trend has been especially pronounced for working households. This article investigates the impact of recertification regimes on error rates and program participation rates, for households with and without earnings. Based on these estimates, it quantifies the tradeoff that states faced during the 1990s between maintaining low error rates and encouraging program participation.
A maximum torque per ampere vector control strategy for synchronous reluctance motors considering saturation and iron losses

In recent years, the synchronous reluctance (SyncRel) motor received much attention for many applications due to its simple and robust construction. When using the principle of vector control, it is possible to achieve optimal operation of SyncRel motors for all loads and speeds. A suitable control strategy can be implemented to achieve maximum torque per ampere, high efficiency and maximum power factor. However, the control of a SyncRel motor is highly affected by both magnetic saturation and high iron losses. A new strategy to achieve maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) is proposed in this paper. The motor behavior under vector control is analyzed considering both saturation and iron losses. A simple relationship between the developed torque and d-axis current has been obtained for MTPA conditions. After experimental check, the obtained relation has been implemented in a vector control algorithm. The proposed control strategy has been successfully implemented with the aid of an experimental setup.
Rac(e)ing to punishment? Applying theory to racial disparities in disciplinary outcomes

ABSTRACT In recent decades, racial disparities in K-12 disciplinary outcomes in the United States have garnered considerable attention. Empirical studies have established that schools’ discipline policies and practices play an important role; however, the lack of an integrated theoretical framework inhibits the discourse on bias and discrimination as a contributing factor. This study aims to close the gap between theory and empirical evidence by examining the contributors to the racial disparities in disciplinary outcomes through theoretical lenses. Our findings indicate that school discipline approaches that predominantly focus on policing minor and subjective behavior may facilitate racial bias in enforcement. Our results suggest that the racial discipline gap may be the product of the: (a) heightened focus on risk management, (b) cultural and demographic mismatch between the teaching workforce and students, and (c) transmission of dominant values through school discipline policies and practices that are reflective of upper and middle-class norms.
Inequality and the Lifecycle

This paper investigates the sources of cross-sectional differences in consumption, labor supply, wealth and welfare over the lifecycle. I document the existence of rich and informative lifecycle patterns in the joint distribution of wages, hours, consumption and wealth. I then estimate a structural model of precautionary savings with endogenous labor supply and uninsurable wage risk in an attempt to assess the ability of the standard incomplete markets model to simultaneously account for the various dimensions of lifecycle inequality. I find that in many dimensions the model provides a coherent explanation. However, the combination of certain features of the data provides an inherent challenge for this class of models. Structural estimates of parameter values are obtained using Monte-Carlo Markov Chain techniques. These are then used to decompose inequality at different points in the lifecycle into differences in preferences, differences in initial wealth endowments, differences in fixed labor productivity and the accumulated effects of shocks realized after entry to the labor market. I find that around 40% of the cross-sectional differences in lifetime welfare are due to fixed skills and around 60% are due to lifecycle productivity shocks. Differences in financial wealth endowments, however, account for almost none of the inequality in lifetime welfare.
Electrode configurations for fast separation of trapped ions

We study the problem of designing electrode structures that allow pairs of ions to bebrought together and separated rapidly in an array of linear Paul traps. We show thatit is desirable for the electrode structure to produce a d.c. octupole moment with ana.c. radial quadrupole. For the case where electrical breakdown limits the voltagesthat can be applied, we show that the octupole is more demanding than the quadrupolewhen the characteristic distance scale of the structure is larger than 1 to 10 microns (fortypical materials). We present a variety of approaches and optimizations of structuresconsisting of one to three layers of electrodes. The three-layer structures allow the fastestoperation at given distance ρ from the trap centres to the nearest electrode surface, butwhen the total thickness w of the structure is constrained, leading to w < ρ, then twolayerstructures may be preferable.
Engagement vs . Reflection : A Study of User Interfaces for an Intelligent Story Authoring Assistant

As a desire to create media for consumption has increased, tools have been developed to aid in the creative process for several forms of media. However, creating content that will be considered valuable by the community is challenging, and there remains a need for tools that support novices. We approach this problem with ReQUEST, an intelligent story authoring assistant that acts as a surrogate audience, providing feedback as the user writes. In this paper, we describe a study comparing two interfaces, differing in the visual representation of the story and the presentation of feedback to the user. Users of one interface appeared to enter into a reflection phase of the creation process more often. However, this interface may have encouraged too much reflection, possibly leading users to revise their stories despite believing that it would not improve their creation.
Association between Genetic Instability and Helicobacter pylori Infection in Gastric Epithelial Dysplasia

Background. In gastric carcinogenesis, changes of DNA methylation appear to be an early molecular event, and the genome-wide methylation state is closely correlated with the level of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) methylation. In this study, we measured LINE-1 methylation level according to genetic instability and evaluated the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on genetic instability in gastric epithelial dysplasia. Methods. Total 100 tissue samples of gastric epithelial dysplasia were analyzed. Seven loci that linked to tumor suppressor genes were used to identify significant structural chromosomal aberrations. Microsatellite status was investigated for two different microsatellite marker loci (BAT25 and BAT26). Also, we measured LINE-1 methylation level by combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA-LINE-1) method. Results. There were no significant differences of LINE-1 methylation level according to chromosomal/microsatellite instability and H. pylori state. In the dysplastic lesions with H. pylori infection, LINE-1 methylation level of MSI lesion was significantly lower than that of microsatellite stable (MSS) lesion (40.23 ± 4.47 versus 43.90 ± 4.81%, P < 0.01). Conclusions. In gastric epithelial dysplasia with H. pylori infection, MSI is correlated with reduced LINE-1 methylation level. Coexistence of H. pylori infection and MSI might be a driving force of gastric carcinogenesis.
Manganese and Compounds Reference Exposure Levels 1. Summary

Acute inhalation of high levels of manganese results in a nonspecific pulmonary edema, while chronic manganese inhalation leads to a characteristic neurotoxicity known as manganism with strong similarities to Parkinson’s disease. Manganism is characterized by motor deficits (dystonia, altered gait, fine tremor, generalized rigidity) and may include psychiatric disturbances. At low manganese levels and in the absence of frank manganism, subtle deficits in cognitive and neurobehavioral functions have been reported in both adults and children. Neurodevelopmental deficits have been associated with early life exposure to excessive manganese and include impaired intellectual performance and behavioral disinhibition.
Role of Ca 2 (cid:1) in the Synchronization of Transmitter Release at Calyceal Synapses in the Auditory System of Rat

Role of Ca 2 (cid:1) in the synchronization of transmitter release at calyceal synapses in the auditory system of rat. J Neurophysiol 222–228, 00235.2001. The synchronization of transmitter release in the synapse of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) is achieved during early postnatal development as a consequence of elimination of delayed asynchronous releases and appears to reﬂect changes in the dynamics of Ca 2 (cid:1) entry and clearance. To examine the role of Ca 2 (cid:1) in regulating synchronization of transmitter release in the mature synapse (after postnatal day 9, P9), we perturbed Ca 2 (cid:1) dynamics systematically. Replacement of external Ca 2 (cid:1) (2 mM) with Sr 2 (cid:1) induced delayed asynchronous release following the major EPSC. We tried to reproduce asynchronous releases without using Sr 2 (cid:1) and instead by manipulating the time course and the size of Ca 2 (cid:1) transient in the presynaptic terminal, under the assumption that replacement of external Na (cid:1) with Li (cid:1) or application of eosin-Y would prolong the lifetime of Ca 2 (cid:1) transient by reducing the rate of Ca 2 (cid:1) extrusion from the terminal. With application of Li (cid:1) , Ca 2 (cid:1) transient in the terminal was prolonged, the EPSC decay time course was prolonged, and the EPSC amplitude increased. However, these EPSCs were not followed by delayed asynchronous release. When Ca 2 (cid:1) inﬂux was reduced, either by partial Ca 2 (cid:1) channel blockade with a low concentration of Cd 2 (cid:1) or (cid:1) -agatoxin IVA, a marked asynchronous release resulted. This was further enhanced by the combined application of Li (cid:1) or eosin-Y. These results suggest that cooperative increases of both Ca 2 (cid:1) inﬂux and Ca 2 (cid:1) clearance capacities leading to a sharper Ca 2 (cid:1) spike in the presynaptic terminal underlie synchronized transmitter release in the presynaptic terminal of the MNTB.
Altered KATP Channel Subunits Expression and Vascular Reactivity in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats With Age

Abstract: ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels link membrane excitability to metabolic state to regulate a series of biological activities including the vascular tone. However, their ability to influence hypertension is controversial. Here we aim to investigate possible alteration of KATP channel in vascular smooth muscles (VSMs) during hypertension development process. In this study, we used 16-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), 49-week-old SHRs, and their age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats to study the expression of VSM KATP subunits at the mRNA and protein level and the function of VSM KATP by observing the relaxation reactivity of isolated aorta rings to KATP modulators. We found that the expression of VSM KATP subunits Kir6.1 and sulfonylurea receptor (SUR2B) decreased during hypertension. Moreover, the expression of SUR2B and Kir6.1 in 49-week-old SHRs decreased much more than that in 16-week-old SHRs. Furthermore, the aorta rings of 49-week-old SHRs showed lower reactivity to diazoxide than 16-week-old SHRs. This study suggests that KATP channels in VSM subunits Kir6.1 and SUR2B contribute to modify the functionality of this channel in hypertension with age.
The Merits of Ability in Developing and Developed Countries

Different economic characteristics between developing and developed countries may require worker with different skills, resulting in different returns to the same ability. Moreover, it is also possible that different countries require different skills depending on their economic fundamentals. This paper provides evidence of the hypotheses above by comparing the labour market returns to numeracy and cognitive ability in Indonesia and the United States. In Indonesia, I find that numeracy has no significant effect on income, while general cognitive ability positively affects income. In the United States, meanwhile, I find that only mathematics ability is significant. Looking at the returns by sex, I find that the benefits of higher cognitive skills only pertain to males in Indonesia, while females have higher returns to numeracy than males in the United States. These results are robust to different specifications. Overall, these differences in returns to ability between Indonesia and the United States indicate that different economic structures indeed demand different sets of skills.
Are Mergers Beneficial to Consumers? Evidence from the Italian Market for Bank Deposits

The general conclusion of the empirical literature is that in-market consolidation generates adverse price changes, thereby harming consumers. Previous studies, however, look only at the short-run pricing impact of consolidation, ignoring all effects that take a longer time to materialize. Using a database that includes detailed information on the deposit rate paid by individual banks in local markets to different categories of depositors, we investigate for the first time the long-run pricing effects of M&As. We find strong evidence that, although in the short run consolidation generates adverse price changes, these are only a temporary phenomenon. In the long run efficiency gains dominate over the market power effect of mergers, leading to more favorable prices for consumers.
You Probably Think This Paper's about You: Narcissists' Perceptions of Their Personality and Reputation

Do narcissists have insight into the negative aspects of their personality and reputation? Using both clinical and subclinical measures of narcissism, the authors examined others' perceptions, self-perceptions, and meta-perceptions of narcissists across a wide range of traits for a new acquaintance and close other (Study 1), longitudinally with a group of new acquaintances (Study 2), and among coworkers (Study 3). Results bring 3 surprising conclusions about narcissists: (a) they understand that others see them less positively than they see themselves (i.e., their meta-perceptions are less biased than are their self-perceptions), (b) they have some insight into the fact that they make positive first impressions that deteriorate over time, and (c) they have insight into their narcissistic personality (e.g., they describe themselves as arrogant). These findings shed light on some of the psychological mechanisms underlying narcissism. Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasion to change. Do narcissists have insight into the negative aspects of their personality and reputation? Lack of self-insight is believed to be a hallmark of narcissism, which suggests that narcissists should not have insight into the negative aspects of their personality or their Oltmanns, 2004) and are motivated to maintain their overly positive self-perceptions (Morf & Rhodewalt, 2001), which has led researchers to conclude that narcissists " have less insight into their own condition " (Emmons, 1984, p. 297) and " probably misunderstand how they are perceived " (Morf & Rhodewalt, 2001, p. 183). The main goal of this article is to test these conclusions by empirically examining whether narcissists have insight into their personality, especially their narcissistic characteristics, and their reputation. Throughout the article we take a dimensional approach to narcissism and use the term " narcissist " to refer to people who score high on measures of clinical or subclinical narcissism (Miller & Campbell, 2010). To assess the extent to which narcissists have insight into their personality and reputation, we conduct a multiple-perspective examination of how narcissists are seen by others (i.e., others' perceptions), how they see themselves (i.e., self-perceptions), and how they believe they are seen by others (i.e., meta-perceptions). We also examine these multiple perspectives across several social contexts, including new acquaintances, acquaintances not selected by the target (e.g., coworkers), and close others (e.g., friends and family). Thus, we provide a novel, comprehensive look at the interpersonal dynamics of …
The Evolutionary Dynamics of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is the maternal transmission of failed pollen production in hermaphroditic plants leading to a mixture of male-sterile and hermaphroditic individuals in the population (gynodioecy). Autosomal genes that can restore pollen fertility in the presence of male-sterile cytotypes are commonly observed. CMS in wild populations tends to be associated with (1) the maintenance of distinct cytotypes, each capable of causing male sterility by an apparently different mechanism since each is susceptible to only a particular subset of autosomal restorer alleles; (2) the maintenance of polymorphism at several autosomal restorer loci, with particular alleles or loci specialized for restoring pollen fertility when associated with particular cytotypes; (3) the maintenance of genetic differentiation among geographically distant populations; and (4) the maintenance of phenotypic diversity among populations, measured as the percentage of malesterile individuals. Observations and previous theoretical explanations were reviewed. A simulation model was then constructed, and the results of the simulations appear to be consistent with the evolutionary dynamics and patterns of genetic polymorphism inferred from wild populations. In the simulation models, when cytoplasmic male-sterility alleles are present and their associated autosomal pollen-restorer alleles are absent (cytoplasmic control), the frequency of females increases because of the ovule-fitness advantage usually associated with male sterility. When autosomal restorer alleles are present (autosomal control), the frequency of females tends to decline. The opposite directions of evolution favored by the cytoplasm and autosomes reflect the inherent conflict of interest between genomic subsets over the sex-allocation ratio. The evolutionary dynamics depend on an interaction between the phenotypic and genotypic frequencies and on the continual loss and reintroduction of genetic novelty over evolutionary time. A striking difference was observed between the potential genetic control of male sterility built into the simulation model, which reflects assumptions about the underlying physiological mechanisms of normal and aberrant pollen production, and the types of genetic control that would be inferred by performing classical genetic crossing experiments on a sample of the simulated population. This contrast between potential and inferred control is possibly an important general attribute of traits that are the resolution of a continual evolutionary conflict.
A novel iterative calibration approach for thermal infrared cameras

The accurate geometric calibration of thermal infrared (IR) cameras is of vital importance in many computer vision applications. In general, the calibration procedure consists of localizing a set of calibration points within a calibration image. This set is subsequently used to solve for the camera parameters. However, due to the physical limitations of the IR acquisition process, the localization of the calibration points often poses difficulties, subsequently leading to unsatisfying calibration results. In this work a novel IR camera calibration approach is introduced. It is able to localize the calibration points within the images of a conventional calibration board consisting of miniature light-bulbs with improved accuracy. Our algorithm models the radiation pattern of each light bulb as an ellipse and considers the center of mass of the extracted ellipsoidal region as the starting calibration point, which is refined iteratively using alternating mappings to and from an undistorted grid model. The proposed processing chain leads to a significantly reduced calibration error when compared to the state-of-the-art. Furthermore, the proposed methodology can also be used to calibrate visible-light cameras thus being suitable for the calibration of multiple camera rigs involving both visible-light and IR cameras.