Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phasic Firing in Dopaminergic Neurons Is Sufficient for Behavioral Conditioning

Rewarding Bursts of Dopamine Dopaminergic neurons are thought to be involved in the cognitive and hedonic underpinnings of motivated behaviors. However, it is still unclear whether dopaminergic neuron activation is sufficient to elicit reward-related behavior and which type of neuronal activity pattern serves this purpose. Tsai et al. (p. 1080; published online 23 April) directly compared tonic versus phasic firing of dopaminergic cells in the ventral tegmental area, and the effects on both behavior and dopamine release. Using a transgenic system and virus injection in mice, they targeted the dopaminergic cells with rhodopsin. Light stimulation was then used to drive dopaminergic cells either with a tonic low level of pulses or bursts of high-frequency pulses, with the number of pulses being equal across conditions. Only the high-frequency phasic firing induced a conditioned place preference and dopamine release. High-frequency pulses in deep brain cells release dopamine and cause reward-related behavior in mice. Natural rewards and drugs of abuse can alter dopamine signaling, and ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic neurons are known to fire action potentials tonically or phasically under different behavioral conditions. However, without technology to control specific neurons with appropriate temporal precision in freely behaving mammals, the causal role of these action potential patterns in driving behavioral changes has been unclear. We used optogenetic tools to selectively stimulate VTA dopaminergic neuron action potential firing in freely behaving mammals. We found that phasic activation of these neurons was sufficient to drive behavioral conditioning and elicited dopamine transients with magnitudes not achieved by longer, lower-frequency spiking. These results demonstrate that phasic dopaminergic activity is sufficient to mediate mammalian behavioral conditioning.
Dust Ion‐Acoustic Shocks in a Q Machine Device

Dust ion‐acoustic shocks in a Q machine device are considered. For their description the so‐called hydrodynamic ionization source model is used. The model is appropriate for the description of the laboratory experiments in a Q machine device and contains the most important basic mechanisms responsible for the formation of the dust ion‐acoustic shocks. A comparative analysis of various dissipative processes occurring on ion‐acoustic time scales during the excitation and propagation of nonlinear dust ion‐acoustic perturbations in a complex (dusty) plasma is performed in terms of a purely kinetic approach and a hydrodynamic approach. It is found that the most important dissipative processes are the charging of dust grains, the absorption of ions by grains, the transfer of the ion momentum to the grains, and Landau damping. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Interpersonal interactions on online forums addressing eating concerns.

OBJECTIVE Although some research suggests that online eating disorder forums promote "pro-eating-disorder" lifestyles and discourage recovery, other research suggests that such forums are an important source of interpersonal support. The current study extends this research by exploring the positive and negative behaviors encouraged on these forums and by comparing forum members' perceptions of support received from online and offline relationships to support received in relationships of age-matched controls. METHOD In a survey of 60 forum members, we assessed information exchanged and support provided on eating disorder forums. Further, we assessed perceptions of social support for general and specific life concerns in this group of forum members as well as 64 age-matched university controls. RESULTS Results show that both adaptive and maladaptive behaviors are encouraged on the forums, and that this encouragement has some influence on forum members trying out these behaviors. Overall, forum members reported receiving less support for their eating concerns as compared to their general life stressors, and they perceived less support for both their general concerns and eating concerns in their offline relationships as compared to their online forum relationships. Moreover, forum members reported receiving less support from their offline relationships as compared to support received in relationships by age-matched controls. DISCUSSION Forum members perceive less support in their important relationships than other peers do, and they seek out and participate in forums as a means of attaining greater social support. However, our research suggests that these forums also encourage dysregulated eating behaviors. Implications of online forum support and its impact on recovery are discussed further.
Studies on the mechanism of the enzymatic reactivation of antibody-neutralized poliovirus.

The infectivity of poliovirus type 2, neutralized by rabbit γ-globulin, was reactivated by papain digestion. However, virus which had been neutralized by papain-produced univalent 3.5 S Fab fragments was not reactivated by equivalent digestions. Proteolysis with pepsin in the absence of reducing agents, leading to the conversion of 7 S γ-globulin to bivalent 5 S F(ab′)2 fragments, was not capable of reactivating neutralized virus. Infectivity of such complexes was reestablished following the reductive cleavage of F(ab′)2 units into univalent 3.5 S Fab′ fragments. Virus neutralized by enzymatically derived peptic fragments F(ab′)2 could also be reactivated by reduction alone. The infectivity of enzymatically reactivated virus was sharply reduced following reaction with goat anti-rabbit γ-globulin antibody, demonstrating that the enzymatic reestablishment of virus infectivity was not the result of the dissociation of antibody fragments from virus. Inhibition of the reactivation developed in zones of high excess of anti-rabbit γ-globulin as well as with univalent anti-rabbit Fab fragments, indicating that reneutralization did not occur as a result of the formation of secondary immune aggregates. These findings suggest that the reestablishment of neutralization was due to the coupling of the heterologous globulins with Fab fragments attached to virus and that this accessory component provides the structural configuration necessary for virus neutralization. On the basis of this investigation, it is proposed that the efficiency of virus neutralization is not only affected by the specificity of recognition of the antigen-binding sites, but is significantly dependent on the size and possibly the configuration of the globulin structure.
Inflammation and clinical presentation in neurodegenerative disease: a volatile relationship

A proposed immune mechanism that potentially modifies or exacerbates neurodegenerative disease presentation in older adults has received considerable attention in the past decade, with recent studies demonstrating a strong link between pro-inflammatory markers and neurodegeneration. The overarching aim of the following review is to synthesize recent research that supports a possible relationship between inflammation and clinical features of neurodegenerative diseases, including risk of development, cognitive and clinical correlates, and progression of the specified diseases. Specific emphasis is placed on providing a temporal context for the association between inflammation and neurodegeneration.
Estimation Of Costs Of Phosphorus Removal In Wastewater Treatment Facilities

A process for producing a high density polyethylene resin which has a negligible n-paraffin content while having a melt index ratio of at least 75 by polymerizing ethylene with a minor amount of a diene in the presence of a supported organophosphorous modified vanadium-containing catalyst component. Vanadium-containing catalyst components useful with an organoaluminum cocatalyst for polymerizing ethylene with an aliphatic diene to produce high density resins having not only a low C10-C32 n-paraffin content (characteristic of high molecular weight polymers having a narrow molecular weight distribution), but, surprisingly, also a melt index ratio desirable for melt blowing applications more characteristic of vanadium catalyzed polymers (which have relatively high n-paraffin content), are obtained by contacting an inert support material with an organoaluminum compound, an optional halogenating agent, a vanadium compound, and an organophosphorous compound. A diene containing at least four carbon atoms is used to copolymerize with ethylene.
Update on meningococcal disease with emphasis on pathogenesis and clinical management.

The only natural reservoir of Neisseria meningitidis is the human nasopharyngeal mucosa. Depending on age, climate, country, socioeconomic status, and other factors, approximately 10% of the human population harbors meningococci in the nose. However, invasive disease is relatively rare, as it occurs only when the following conditions are fulfilled: (i) contact with a virulent strain, (ii) colonization by that strain, (iii) penetration of the bacterium through the mucosa, and (iv) survival and eventually outgrowth of the meningococcus in the bloodstream. When the meningococcus has reached the bloodstream and specific antibodies are absent, as is the case for young children or after introduction of a new strain in a population, the ultimate outgrowth depends on the efficacy of the innate immune response. Massive outgrowth leads within 12 h to fulminant meningococcal sepsis (FMS), characterized by high intravascular concentrations of endotoxin that set free high concentrations of proinflammatory mediators. These mediators belonging to the complement system, the contact system, the fibrinolytic system, and the cytokine system induce shock and diffuse intravascular coagulation. FMS can be fatal within 24 h, often before signs of meningitis have developed. In spite of the increasing possibilities for treatment in intensive care units, the mortality rate of FMS is still 30%. When the outgrowth of meningococci in the bloodstream is impeded, seeding of bacteria in the subarachnoidal compartment may lead to overt meningitis within 24 to 36 h. With appropriate antibiotics and good clinical surveillance, the mortality rate of this form of invasive disease is 1 to 2%. The overall mortality rate of meningococcal disease can only be reduced when patients without meningitis, i.e., those who may develop FMS, are recognized early. This means that the fundamental nature of the disease as a meningococcus septicemia deserves more attention.
Curing Hepatitis C in Liver Transplant Recipients Is Associated with Changes in Immunosuppressant Use

Background and Aims: All-oral interferon-free antivirals are highly effective in treating recurrent hepatitis C (HCV) infection in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The aim of the study was to assess immunosuppression needs after achieving a sustained viral response (SVR). Methods: We compared immunosuppression needs before and after achieving a SVR in adult LT recipients treated for recurrent HCV infection with all-oral direct acting agents. Results: We identified 52 liver LT treated recipients who achieved a SVR. The median (25th and 75th percentile interquartile range [IQR]) age was 62 years (57.75, 65). Most recipients received tacrolimus (TAC) for their immunosuppressant regimen. After achieving SVR, there was no statistically significant difference in daily dose of TAC unadjusted per weight (p > 0.05). However, there was a statistically significant decrease in daily dose of TAC adjusted per weight, serum levels of TAC, and the product of glomerular filtration rate and TAC. No statistically significant differences in cyclosporine unadjusted/adjusted per weight daily dose or serum levels were noted. Conclusions: Immunosuppression needs were increased for those patients treated with TAC but not cyclosporine. LT recipients prescribed TAC require close monitoring after treatment completion to avoid potential risk of acute rejection.
Miraflow, Soft Contact Lens Cleaner: Activity Against Acanthamoeba Spp

Objective: Miraflow is a cleaner for soft contact lens which contains 20% isopropyl alcohol. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts for Miraflow. In addition, to determine the activity of combined Miraflow and multipurpose solutions (MPSs) against Acanthamoeba cysts. Methods: Two simulated-use studies were conducted. The significance in the log reduction in the number of trophozoites and cysts of A. castellanii strains ATCC 50514 and ATCC 50370 or A. polyphaga ATCC 30461 after exposure to Miraflow alone was determined by the Spearman–Karber method. To examine the activity against Acanthamoeba of combined Miraflow and an MPS, the log reduction in the number of cysts after a 1-min exposure to Miraflow followed by a 4-hr exposure to MPS (ReNu fresh) was also determined. Results: Short-time exposure of 30 sec to Miraflow demonstrated activity against the Acanthamoeba trophozoites. However, a 1-min treatment was only relatively effective (1.1 log reduction) against the cysts of A. castellanii ATCC 50514, but no statistically significant reduction was observed for the cysts of the other 2 strains. The combined use with Miraflow and MPS demonstrated activity against the cysts, and a 3.0, 1.0, or 1.5 log reduction in the numbers was obtained for A. castellanii ATCC 50514, A. castellanii ATCC 50370, and A. polyphaga ATCC 30461, respectively. Conclusions: Exposure to combined Miraflow and MPS resulted in reductions in the number of Acanthamoeba cysts.
Histologic Features of Mammary Carcinomas in Zoo Felids Treated with Melengestrol Acetate (MGA) Contraceptives

Melengestrol acetate (MGA), a potent synthetic progestin, has been used as a contraceptive in zoo felids since 1975. Mammary gland carcinomas have been linked to MGA treatment in zoo felids, but the histologic features of these tumors and steroid receptor expression have not been described. Zoo felid mammary tumors were requested from participating zoos from 1986 through 1998, and 31 mammary carcinomas from 28 MGA-treated and 3 untreated felids were received. The carcinomas were evaluated on the basis of histologic pattern, tumor grade, and occurrence of metastasis; then features of the tumors were compared to determine if carcinomas in MGA-treated felids differed from those that occur spontaneously. Estrogen- and progesterone-receptor expression was evaluated in 17 of the 31 carcinomas. Of the 31 tumors, 22 (70.9%) had multiple histologic patterns, 29 (93.5%) were high grade, and 28 (90.3%) had metastasized. Within tumors, the tubulopapillary pattern was most common (87.1%, n = 27); solid (61.3%, n = 19), cribriform (38.7%, n = 12), and comedone (25.8%, n = 8) patterns were less common; and the mucinous (3.2%, n = 1) pattern was rare. Both MGA-treated and untreated zoo felids had similar patterns and grades of mammary gland cancer as well as prevalence of metastasis. These results indicate that mammary carcinomas in zoo felids are high grade with a predominant tubulopapillary pattern and aggressive behavior. Five of 17 carcinomas expressed progesterone receptors, and 1 of 17 expressed estrogen receptors. Although more zoo felids with cancer had been exposed to MGA in this study, mammary carcinomas were similar in appearance and behavior in untreated and MGA-treated zoo felids. The association of MGA with the development of malignant mammary gland tumors should be considered when using this contraceptive in zoo felids.
Approximate Minimum BER Power Allocation for MIMO Spatial Multiplexing Systems

Precoding for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) spatial multiplexing generally requires high feedback overhead and/or high-complexity processing. Simultaneous reduction in transmitter complexity and feedback overhead is proposed by imposing a diagonal structural constraint to precoding, i.e., power allocation. Minimum bit-error rate (MBER) is employed as the optimization criterion, and an approximate MBER (AMBER) power-allocation algorithm is proposed for a variety of receivers, including zero-forcing (ZF), successive interference cancellation (SIC), and ordered SIC (OSIC). While previously proposed precoding schemes either require ZF equalization for MBER, or use a minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) criterion, we provide a unified MBER solution to power allocation for ZF, SIC, and OSIC receiver structures. Improved error-rate performance is shown both analytically and by simulation. Simulation results also indicate that SIC and OSIC with AMBER power allocation offer superior performance over previously proposed MBER precoding with ZF equalization, as well as over MMSE precoding/decoding. Performance under noisy channels and power feedback is analyzed. A modified AMBER algorithm that mitigates error propagation in interference cancellation is developed. Compared with existing precoding methods, the proposed schemes significantly reduce both transmit processing complexity and feedback overhead, and improve error-rate performance
Natural killer cells: versatile roles in autoimmune and infectious diseases

Natural killer (NK) cells are essential members of innate immunity and they rapidly respond to a variety of insults via cytokine secretion and cytolytic activity. Effector functions of NK cells form an important first line of innate immunity against viral, bacterial and parasitic infections, as well as an important bridge for the activation of adaptive immune responses. The control of NK-cell activation and killing is now understood to be a highly complex system of diverse inhibitory and activatory receptor–ligand interactions, sensing changes in MHC expression. NK cells have a functional role in innate immunity as the primary source of NK-cell-derived immunoregulatory cytokines, which have been identified in target organs of patients suffering from autoimmune diseases, and play a critical role in early defense against infectious agents. This review focuses on recent research of NK cells, summarizing their potential immunoregulatory role in modulating autoimmunity and infectious diseases.
Albumin and heparin multilayer coatings for blood-contacting medical devices.

Three types of covalently crosslinked assemblies consisting of multiple (1) molecular layers of human serum albumin (HSA); (2) alternating layers of HSA and unfractionated heparin; and (3) alternating layers of HSA and partly depolymerized heparin fixed with one end to HSA were prepared on various surfaces. Adsorption of fibrinogen, IgG, and antithrombin (ATIII) from human citrated plasma on coated surfaces was evaluated by ELISA. Fibrinogen adsorption on coated ELISA plates was lower than that on bare polystyrene. There was no IgG adsorption on the HSA coating alone, but considerably high IgG adsorption was detected on the heparin-containing surface. The adsorption of ATIII increased with increasing heparin on the surface. The effect of multilayer coatings on platelets was tested by incubation of modified vascular prostheses with citrated blood. The most favorable interaction with platelets was observed on the HSA assembly. The interaction of platelets with the surface bearing unfractionated heparin was higher than that of the surface covered with partly depolymerized heparin. The long-term durability of the HSA-heparin coating was proven by a 21-day implantation of coated polyurethane plates in goat heart.
microRNA signatures in peripheral blood fail to detect acute cellular rejection after liver transplantation

Abstract Objective: We investigated whether microRNA signatures in whole blood samples are associated with acute cellular rejection (ACR) after liver transplantation. Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected using Paxgene technology and analyzed by microarrays and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results: microRNA signatures failed to distinguish between 19 patients with ACR and 16 controls. Let-7b-5p and let-7c were upregulated in a subgroup of patients with ACR during the 6th and 7th postoperative days but failed in an independent validation of 20 patients. Conclusion: microRNA signatures in whole blood processed by Paxgene technology are not suited for the detection of ACR after liver transplantation.
Prophylactically equivalent doses of Enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin inhibit in vivo coagulation to the same extent

Summary. This study compared how Enoxaparin and unfractionated (UF) heparin influenced in vivo coagulation in patients randomized to receive, by twice daily subcutaneous injections, either 30 mg of Enoxaparin or 7500 I.U. of UF heparin after elective hip surgery. These two regimens were equally effective in reducing the incidence of post‐operative deep vein thrombosis DVT. We compared the concentrations of endogenous thrombin‐antithrombin III in pre‐ and post‐surgical plasmas to determine how each prophylactic regimen influenced prothrombinase activity in vivo, and found the same concentrations of endogenous thrombin‐antithrombin III in post‐heparin and post‐Enoxaparin plasmas. However, significantly higher concentrations of endogenous thrombin‐antithrombin III were found in pre‐ and post‐surgical plasmas of patients who developed post‐operative DVT than the levels found in comparable plasmas of patients who remained DVT‐negative, regardless of the drug received for prophylaxis. Human factor Xa was added to an equal volume of each patient's plasmas and the amount of added enzyme inactivated by antithrombin III measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for factor Xa‐anti‐thrombin III. Post‐heparin and post‐Enoxaparin plasmas inactivated ∼4 times more factor Xa than the pre‐surgical plasmas, regardless of the clinical outcome. Thus, before and after surgery, a higher than normal in vivo prothrombinase activity may be a significant risk factor for developing postoperative DVT.
Reference Values of Right Atrial Longitudinal Strain Imaging by Two‐Dimensional Speckle Tracking

Background: The role of speckle tracking in the assessment of right atrial (RA) deformation dynamics has not been established yet. The reference ranges of RA longitudinal strain indices were measured by speckle tracking in a population of normal subjects. Methods: In 84 healthy individuals, peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), peak atrial contraction strain (PACS), and time to peak longitudinal strain (TPLS) were measured using a six‐segment model for the RA. Strain rate (SR) was also measured starting from the QRS‐wave onset, peak positive (x‐wave), first peak negative (y‐wave), and second negative peak (z‐wave). The time from the QRS onset was measured to each wave peak. Results: Adequate tracking quality was achieved in 64% of segments analyzed. Inter‐ and intraobserver variability coefficients of measurements ranged between 6% and 11%. Global PALS was 49 ± 13%, global TPLS was 363 ± 59 msec, x‐wave was 2.12 ± 0.58 sec−1, y‐wave was −1.91 ± 0.63 sec−1, and z‐wave was −2.18 ± 0.78 sec−1. Conclusion: Speckle tracking is a feasible technique for the assessment of longitudinal myocardial RA deformation. Reference ranges of strain indices were reported. (Echocardiography 2012;29:147‐152)
On Input-to-State Stability with respect to decomposable invariant sets

We propose a global notion of Input-to-State Stability (for nonlinear systems evolving on manifolds) in the form of an asymptotic gain condition with respect to the Riemannian distance to a compact invariant set. The invariant set is assumed to admit a decomposition without cycles (basically no homoclinic nor heteroclinic orbits may exist). The notion is flexible enough to allow for unstable sets and yet is suitable for a Lyapunov-like characterization that will be discussed. Applications can be envisaged also in the context of the analysis of incremental stability on manifolds.