Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Object Attention Revisited

Multiple attributes of a visual array are often more efficiently processed when they are attributes of a single object than when they are attributes of different objects—a pattern reflecting the limitations of object attention. This study used psychophysical methods to evaluate the object attention limitations in the report of attributes (orientation and phase) computed early in visual analysis for spatially separated objects. These limitations had large effects on dual-object report thresholds when different judgments were required for the two objects (orientation for one object and phase for the other), but the effects were small or nonexistent when the same judgment was made about both objects. Judgment consistency reduced or eliminated the expression of object attention deficits. Thus, the deficits in dual-object report reflect both division of attention over objects and the calculation of independent reference or judgment operations. Dual-object deficits, when they occurred, were substantial in displays with external noise masks. Smaller effects were observed in clear displays, even when difficulty was equated by stimulus contrast. Thus, the primary consequence of object attention is the exclusion of external noise, or mask suppression, and enhancement of the stimulus in clear displays is a secondary consequence.
Rapid Extraction and Identification of Maitotoxin and Ciguatoxin-Like Toxins from Caribbean and Pacific Gambierdiscus Using a New Functional Bioassay

Background Ciguatera is a circumtropical disease produced by polyether sodium channel toxins (ciguatoxins) that enter the marine food chain and accumulate in otherwise edible fish. Ciguatoxins, as well as potent water-soluble polyethers known as maitotoxins, are produced by certain dinoflagellate species in the genus Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa spp. in the Pacific but little is known of the potential of related Caribbean species to produce these toxins. Methods We established a simplified procedure for extracting polyether toxins from Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa spp. based on the ciguatoxin rapid extraction method (CREM). Fractionated extracts from identified Pacific and Caribbean isolates were analysed using a functional bioassay that recorded intracellular calcium changes (Ca2+) in response to sample addition in SH-SY5Y cells. Maitotoxin directly elevated Ca2+i, while low levels of ciguatoxin-like toxins were detected using veratridine to enhance responses. Results We identified significant maitotoxin production in 11 of 12 isolates analysed, with 6 of 12 producing at least two forms of maitotoxin. In contrast, only 2 Caribbean isolates produced detectable levels of ciguatoxin-like activity despite a detection limit of >30 pM. Significant strain-dependent differences in the levels and types of ciguatoxins and maitotoxins produced by the same Gambierdiscus spp. were also identified. Conclusions The ability to rapidly identify polyether toxins produced by Gambierdiscus spp. in culture has the potential to distinguish ciguatoxin-producing species prior to large-scale culture and in naturally occurring blooms of Gambierdiscus and Fukuyoa spp. Our results have implications for the evaluation of ciguatera risk associated with Gambierdiscus and related species.
Tactical allocation of effort among multiple signals in sage grouse: an experiment with a robotic female

Males in many species have complex, multicomponent sexual signals, and there may be trade-offs between different signal components. By adjusting their signaling behaviors, males may be able to produce more attractive courtship displays in the face of these trade-offs, but this possibility has rarely been tested. In this study, we examined adaptive adjustment of display behaviors during courtship in a lek-breeding bird, the greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). We measured the potential trade-off between display quantity (display rate) and quality (a temporal feature of displays) in a wild population of sage grouse using controlled approaches of a robotic female to experimentally induce changes in male display rate. We found that males who are more successful in mating can increase quantity without a decline in quality, with only unsuccessful males expressing an apparent trade-off. Male mating success was also positively correlated with responsiveness to changes in receiver distance, suggesting that successful males may avoid a trade-off by tactically adjusting their display rate--saving energy by displaying at low levels when females are farther away and at higher levels as females approach. Alternative explanations for this differential response to female proximity are discussed. Our results suggest that to be successful, males may need both the ability to produce attractive signals and the ability to effectively allocate their display effort by responding to female behaviors. Copyright 2009, Oxford University Press.
Statistical dynamics of religions and adherents

Religiosity is one of the most important sociological aspects of populations. All religions may evolve in their beliefs and adapt to the society developments. A religion is a social variable, like a language or wealth, to be studied like any other organizational parameter. Several questions can be raised, as considered in this study; e.g.: i) From a “macroscopic” point of view: How many religions exist at a given time? ii) From a “microscopic” viewpoint: How many adherents belong to one religion? Does the number of adherents increase or not, and how? No need to say that if quantitative answers and mathematical laws are found, agent-based models can be imagined to describe such non-equilibrium processes. It is found that empirical laws can be deduced and related to preferential attachment processes, like on an evolving network; we propose two different algorithmic models reproducing as well the data. Moreover, a population growth-death equation is shown to be a plausible modeling of evolution dynamics in a continuous-time framework. Differences with language dynamic competition are emphasized.
Tissue Multicolor STED Nanoscopy of Presynaptic Proteins in the Calyx of Held

The calyx of Held, a large glutamatergic terminal in the mammalian auditory brainstem has been extensively employed to study presynaptic structure and function in the central nervous system. Nevertheless, the nanoarchitecture of presynaptic proteins and subcellular components in the calyx terminal and its relation to functional properties of synaptic transmission is only poorly understood. Here, we use stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanoscopy of calyces in thin sections of aldehyde-fixed rat brain tissue to visualize immuno-labeled synaptic proteins including VGluT1, synaptophysin, Rab3A and synapsin with a lateral resolution of approximately 40 nm. Excitation multiplexing of suitable fluorescent dyes deciphered the spatial arrangement of the presynaptic phospho-protein synapsin relative to synaptic vesicles labeled with anti-VGluT1. Both predominantly occupied the same focal volume, yet may exist in exclusive domains containing either VGluT1 or synapsin immunoreactivity. While the latter have been observed with diffraction-limited fluorescence microscopy, STED microscopy for the first time revealed VGluT1-positive domains lacking synapsins. This observation supports the hypothesis that molecularly and structurally distinct synaptic vesicle pools operate in presynaptic nerve terminals.
Model Roles of the Hypothalamo-Neurohypophysial System in Neuroscience Study

Studies on the Hypothalamo-Neurohypophysial System (HNS) have played a pivotal role in establishing the fundamental principles of neuroscience. Examples include the identification of excitation-secretion coupling, coexistence of peptides-containing large dense core vesicles with classical neurotransmitters, neuronal-glial interactions, functionsassociated morphological plasticity, and domain-specific regulation of the secretory activity, etc. Moreover, mechanisms underlying the secretion by the HNS and functions of neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin remain the central topic of the neuroendocrine society, novel findings of which keep substantiating the model role of this system. Nevertheless, challenges are still severe in this study field, such as extrahypothalamic connections of the HNS, scaffolding and guiding roles of glial fibrillary acidic protein in astrocyte plasticity, cellular and molecular processes determining different firing patterns, the position of the HNS in neuroendocrine-immune network, and the nose-hypothalamic route that serves as a key mediator of drug effects on brain activity. Nowadays, translational studies of the HNS also become the prime time of researchers, such as vasopressin involvement in brain injury in ischemic stroke, and therapeutic potentials of oxytocin in lactation failure and its associated health issues. In this paper, we review these challenges in modern neuroscience studies on the HNS.
Vaccination-Induced Noncytolytic Effects in the Acute Phase of SHIV Infection

Many studies have shown that vaccines inducing CD8+ T cell responses can reduce viral loads and preserve CD4+ T cell numbers in monkey models of HIV infection. The mechanism of viral control by the vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells is usually assumed to be cytolysis of infected cells. However, in addition to cytolysis of infected cells, CD8+ T cells secrete a range of soluble factors that suppress viral replication. We have studied the dynamics of virus and CD4+ T cells in a successful vaccination-challenge model of SHIV infection. We find that better viral control in the acute phase of infection is associated with slower decay of peak viral load. Comparing viral and CD4+ T cell dynamics in acute infection, we find that a cytolytic mode of viral control with direct killing of infected cells is inconsistent with the observed trends. On the other hand, comparison of the predicted effects of noncytolytic CD8+ effector function with the experimental data shows that non-cytolytic control provides a better explanation of the experimental results. Our analysis suggests that vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells control SHIV infection by non-cytolytic means.
Experimental Optimization of Process for the Thermo-catalytic Degradation of Waste Polypropylene to Liquid Fuel

Waste polypropylene was cracked thermally and catalytically in the presence of kaolin clay in a batch reactor in the temperature range 400-550°C in order to obtain suitable liquid fuels. The dependencies of process temperature, effect of catalyst, feed composition on yield of the fuel fraction were determined. It was observed that up to 450°C, the major product of thermal pyrolysis was liquid oil and the major products at other higher temperatures (475550°C) are either viscous liquid or wax. The highest yield of pyrolysis liquid product was 82.85% by weight at 500°C. Use of kaolin as catalyst decreased the reaction time and increased the yield of liquid fraction. Again, the major pyrolysis product in catalytic pyrolysis i.e. the liquid fraction at all the temperature was low viscous liquid oil. The maximum oil yield using kaolin to plastic ratio 1:3 was 87.5% at 500°C. The oil obtained in this process was analyzed using FTIR and GC-MS for its composition. Fuel properties of the oil studied by IS methods are identical with the different petro fuels. On the basis of the obtained results, hypothetical continuous process of waste polypropylene plastics processing for engine fuel production can be presented.
Side-to-side differences in lower extremity biomechanics during multi-directional jump landing in volleyball athletes

Abstract Side-to-side differences of lower extremities may influence the likelihood of injury. Moreover, adding the complexity of jump-landing direction would help to explain lower extremity control during sport activities. The aim was to determine the effects of limb dominance and jump-landing direction on lower extremity biomechanics. Nineteen female volleyball athletes participated. Both dominant limbs (DLs) and non-dominant limbs (NLs) were examined in single-leg jump-landing tests in four directions, including forward (0°), diagonal (30° and 60°), and lateral (90°) directions. Kinematic marker trajectories and ground reaction forces were collected using a 10 camera Vicon system and an AMTI force plate. Repeated measures ANOVA (2 × 4, limb × direction) was used to analyse. The finding showed that, at peak vertical GRF, a significant interaction of limb dominance and direction effects was found in the hip flexion angle and lower extremity joint kinetics (p < .05). NLs and DLs exhibited significantly different strategies while landing in various directions. Significantly higher increase of ankle dorsiflexion angle was observed in lateral direction compared to other directions for both DLs and NLs (p < .05). Increasingly using ankle dorsiflexion was observed from the forward to the lateral direction for both DLs and NLs. However, NLs and DLs preferentially used different strategies of joint moment organization to respond to similar VGRFs in various directions. The response pattern of DLs might not be effective and may expose DLs to a higher injury risk, especially with regard to landing with awkward posture compared with NLs.
RIMS Oral Sessions

S Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2012; 18: S15–S18 © 2012 SAGE Publications 10.1177/1352458512444209 Platform communications Other 1 | The first 10 years with Multiple Sclerosis: the longitudinal course of daily functioning (#25) H. Beckerman1, 2, J. C. Kempen1, 2, D. L. Knol2, C. H. Polman2, G. J. Lankhorst1, V. de Groot1, 2 1VU University Medical Center Rehabilitation Medicine, PO BOX 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, Netherlands 2VU University Medical Center MS Center Amsterdam, PO BOX 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, Netherlands Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the course of functioning and the rate of change in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients on the domains of neurological deficits, physical functioning, mental health, social functioning and general health in the 10-years since their definite diagnosis. Methods: The long-term prospective follow-up study described here commenced in 1998-2000 and included an incidence cohort of 156 patients with a definite diagnosis of MS. Participants were examined systematically, beginning immediately after definite diagnosis, followed by the time points 6 months, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 10 years. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF36), or their subscales, were used to assess the various domains of daily functioning. The courses of functioning were analyzed using linear mixed models. Results: The time course of the EDSS, SF36 physical functioning, FIM motor function, and FIM cognitive function could be best described by polynomial models. Neurological disability and physical functioning worsened significantly, with a time course dependent on whether a patient had MS of the relapse onset type (RO) or non-relapse onset type (NRO). Cognitive and social functioning worsened significantly over time, but with the same (accelerated) rate of change in both the RO and NRO groups. The scores on the SF36 mental health, SF36 role physical, and SF36 general health changed only slightly in the first 10 years following definite diagnosis. Conclusion: A large percentage of patients with MS already start to show functional limitations immediately after disease onset. In the subsequent ten years, this neurodegenerative disease causes relatively mild changes in the patient’s daily activities and participation. Although patients showed declines, more pronounced in physical functioning than in cognitive and social functioning, there were no time-related declines on SF36 mental health, SF36 role physical, or SF36 general health. References 1. De Groot V, Beckerman H, Lankhorst GJ, Polman CH, Bouter LM. The initial course of daily functioning in multiple sclerosis: a three-year follow-up study. Mult Scler 2005;11:713–718. 2. De Groot V, Beckerman H, Uitdehaag BMJ, De Vet HCW, Lankhorst GJ, Polman CH, Bouter LM. The usefulness of evaluative outcome measures in patients with multiple sclerosis. Brain 2006; 129(Pt 10):2648–59. Other 2 | Travel behaviour in persons with Multiple Sclerosis using travel diaries and GPS tracking
Molecular genetics of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Based on family studies, a strong genetic component exists in the etiology of psoriasis, but environmental factors are also needed to trigger the disease onset. Both linkage and association analyses have assigned the major locus for psoriasis susceptibility, PSORS1, to 6p21.3 in all populations studied. The PSORS1 locus has been narrowed down to an approximately 200 kb region in the centromeric part of the MHC class I region. In this study, a novel candidate gene at the PSORS1 locus, HCR (Pg8), was cloned and found to be highly polymorphic. In a large trio family material from seven different populations, a specific allele of the HCR gene, HCR*WWCC, was shown to be strongly associated with chronic plaque psoriasis (PV). However, two previously identified susceptibility alleles of the locus, HLA-Cw*6 and CDSN*5, showed a similar association. These three susceptibility alleles were found to belong to the same extended susceptibility haplotype and their separation was not possible even with a sample size of almost 1700 chromosomes. The three PSORS1 susceptibility alleles were also studied in two clinical variants of psoriasis, guttate psoriasis (GP) and palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), to see whether the locus was involved in the pathogenesis of subtypes and whether these could be used to differentiate the three alleles. GP was shown to have a similar but even stronger association with PSORS1 susceptibility alleles than PV, however, it did not help in separating the three genes. PPP was not associated with any of the PSORS1 alleles, suggesting a different etiology or molecular mechanism than for PV or GP. Functional evidence for HCR as a potential psoriasis gene was also gained. Expression of the HCR mRNA Kari Asumalahti defended her thesis on April 3, 2003 in Helsinki Medical Faculty. Faculty Opponent was James T. Elder, MD, PhD, Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Michigan, USA and Supervisor has been Professor, Juha Kere, MD, PhD, Department of Biosciences at Novum and Clinical Research Center, Karolinska Institute, Sweden and Department of Medical Genetics, University of Helsinki
Leptin affects endocardial cushion formation by modulating EMT and migration via Akt signaling cascades

Blood circulation is dependent on heart valves to direct blood flow through the heart and great vessels. Valve development relies on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a central feature of embryonic development and metastatic cancer. Abnormal EMT and remodeling contribute to the etiology of several congenital heart defects. Leptin and its receptor were detected in the mouse embryonic heart. Using an ex vivo model of cardiac EMT, the inhibition of leptin results in a signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and Snail/vascular endothelial cadherin–independent decrease in EMT and migration. Our data suggest that an Akt signaling pathway underlies the observed phenotype. Furthermore, loss of leptin phenocopied the functional inhibition of αvβ3 integrin receptor and resulted in decreased αvβ3 integrin and matrix metalloprotease 2, suggesting that the leptin signaling pathway is involved in adhesion and migration processes. This study adds leptin to the repertoire of factors that mediate EMT and, for the first time, demonstrates a role for the interleukin 6 family in embryonic EMT.
TRIP8b-Independent Trafficking and Plasticity of Adult Cortical Presynaptic HCN1 Channels

Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels are subthreshold activated voltage-gated ion channels. In the cortex, these channels are predominantly expressed in dendrites where they significantly modify dendritic intrinsic excitability as well synaptic potential shapes and integration. HCN channel trafficking to dendrites is regulated by the protein, TRIP8b. Additionally, altered TRIP8b expression may be one mechanism underlying seizure-induced dendritic HCN channel plasticity. HCN channels, though, are also located in certain mature cortical synaptic terminals, where they play a vital role in modulating synaptic transmission. In this study, using electrophysiological recordings as well as electron microscopy we show that presynaptic, but not dendritic, cortical HCN channel expression and function is comparable in adult TRIP8b-null mice and wild-type littermates. We further investigated whether presynaptic HCN channels undergo seizure-dependent plasticity. We found that, like dendritic channels, wild-type presynaptic HCN channel function was persistently decreased following induction of kainic acid-induced seizures. Since TRIP8b does not affect presynaptic HCN subunit trafficking, seizure-dependent plasticity of these cortical HCN channels is not conditional upon TRIP8b. Our results, thus, suggest that the molecular mechanisms underlying HCN subunit targeting, expression and plasticity in adult neurons is compartment selective, providing a means by which pre- and postsynaptic processes that are critically dependent upon HCN channel function may be distinctly influenced.
Nasal Organisms and Post-Operative Pulmonary Infection

Staphylococcus aureus can be cultured from the anterior nares of approximately 30 to 40 per cent of the general population (Williams et al., 1959; Henderson & Williams, 1961; Noble et al., 1964). The presence of the organism represents no hazard to the healthy individual but when he becomes a surgical patient the situation alters. Nasal carriage of staphylococci may carry an increased risk of infective wound complications (McNeill et al., 1961). In this Thoracic Surgical Unit wound infection is rare but bronchopulmonary infection is common. It has been found that following thoracotomy for cardiac and oesophageal procedures the latter type of infection is frequent and following pulmonary resection it is almost universal. Many of the patients undergoing pulmonary resection for localised lesions suffer from coincident generalised pulmonary disease such as chronic bronchitis. These patients have reduced pulmonary reserve, and infection may be the crucial factor in the precipitation of respiratory failure after operation. Any measure which reduces the frequency or severity of this complication is therefore to be welcomed. Staph. aureus is one of the commonest pathogens to be isolated from the sputum in post-operative pulmonary infection. The organism may spread to the bronchial tree from the upper respiratory tract. Stratford et al. (1960), showed that a reliable method of eliminating the organism from the nose was available in framycetin sulphate ('Soframycin') spray (containing framycetin 1.25% and gramicidin 0.005 %) and this was supported by Shedden et al. (1963). It seemed worthwhile therefore to determine whether the incidence and severity of post-operative pulmonary infection could be reduced by this means. This paper reports the results of a double-blind controlled trial using the framycetin spray in the treatment of 100 thoracic surgical patients. The term 'carrier' will be used broadly to indicate a patient whose nasal swab yielded coagulase-positive Staph. aureus at the single pre-operative examination. Since the necessity for taking both deep and superficial nasal swabs in the detection of carriers has been in dispute (Porter et al., 1963) the opportunity was also taken to compare these 2 methods. The aims of the trial may be summarised as follows: 1. To determine the nasal carriage rate in a group of thoracic surgical patients; 2. To study the effect of a topical antibiotic nasal spray upon the carriage rate and upon post-operative respiratory infection; and 3. To assess the value of deep nasal swabbing.