Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cholinergic and peptidergic neurotransmission in the adrenal medulla: A dynamic control of stimulus‐secretion coupling

Synaptic neurotransmission at the splanchnic nerve‐chromaffin cell synapse is a chief element of the stimulus‐secretion coupling in the adrenal medullary tissue, managing and regulating the secretion of catecholamines. Making the state of play more intricate than initially envisioned, the synaptic vesicles of nerve terminals innervating the medulla contain various compounds, including various neurotransmitters and neuropeptides. Under basal conditions associated with a low splanchnic nerve discharge rate, neurotransmission is ensured by the synaptic release of the primary neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Under sustained and repetitive stimulations of the splanchnic nerve, as triggered in response to stressors, the synaptic release of neuropeptides, such as the pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide PACAP, supplants ACh release. The anatomical and functional changes that occur presynaptically at the preganglionic splanchnic nerve, combined with changes occurring postsynaptically at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), confer the adrenomedullary synapses a solid and persistent aptitude to functional remodeling, from birth to aging. The present review focuses on the composite cholinergic and noncholinergic nature of neurotransmission occurring at the splanchnic nerve‐chromaffin cell synapse and its remodeling in response to physiological or pathological stimuli.
Peripheral nervous system alterations in infant and adult neurofibromatosis type 2

Objective To examine the involvement of dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves in children with neurofibromatosis type 2 compared to healthy controls and symptomatic adults by in vivo high-resolution magnetic resonance neurography. Methods In this prospective multicenter study, the lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia and sciatic, tibial, and peroneal nerves were examined in 9 polyneuropathy-negative children diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 2 by a standardized magnetic resonance neurography protocol at 3T. Volumes of dorsal root ganglia L3 to S2 and peripheral nerve lesions were assessed and compared to those of 29 healthy children. Moreover, dorsal root ganglia volumes and peripheral nerve lesions were compared to those of 14 adults with neurofibromatosis type 2. Results Compared to healthy controls, dorsal root ganglia hypertrophy was a consistent finding in children with neurofibromatosis type 2 (L3 +255%, L4 +289%, L5 +250%, S1 +257%, and S2 +218%, p < 0.001) with an excellent diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, peripheral nerve lesions occurred with a high frequency in those children compared to healthy controls (18.89 ± 11.11 vs 0.90 ± 1.08, p < 0.001). Children and adults with neurofibromatosis type 2 showed nonsignificant differences in relative dorsal root ganglia hypertrophy rates (p = 0.85) and peripheral nerve lesions (p = 0.28). Conclusions Alterations of peripheral nerve segments occur early in the course of neurofibromatosis type 2 and are evident even in children not clinically affected by peripheral polyneuropathy. While those early alterations show similar characteristics compared to adults with neurofibromatosis type 2, the findings of this study suggest that secondary processes might be responsible for the development and severity of associated polyneuropathy.
Axonal Growth of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons is Modulated by the Cell Adhesion Molecule ALCAM Through Trans-Heterophilic Interactions with L1cam, Chl1, and Semaphorins

The growth of axons corresponding to different neuronal subtypes is governed by unique expression profiles of molecules on the growth cone. These molecules respond to extracellular cues either locally though cell adhesion interactions or over long distances through diffusible gradients. Here, we report that that the cell adhesion molecule ALCAM (CD166) can act as an extracellular substrate to selectively promote the growth of murine midbrain dopamine (mDA) neuron axons through a trans-heterophilic interaction with mDA-bound adhesion molecules. In mixed-sex primary midbrain cultures, the growth-promoting effect of ALCAM was abolished by neutralizing antibodies for components of the Semaphorin receptor complex Nrp1, Chl1, or L1cam. The ALCAM substrate was also found to modulate the response of mDA neurites to soluble semaphorins in a context-specific manner by abolishing the growth-promoting effect of Sema3A but inducing a branching response in the presence of Sema3C. These findings identify a previously unrecognized guidance mechanism whereby cell adhesion molecules act in trans to modulate the response of axonal growth cones to soluble gradients to selectively orchestrate the growth and guidance of mDA neurons. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The mechanisms governing the axonal connectivity of midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons during neural development have remained rather poorly understood relative to other model systems for axonal growth and guidance. Here, we report a series of novel interactions between proteins previously not identified in the context of mDA neuronal growth. Significantly, the results suggest a previously unrecognized mechanism involving the convergence in signaling between local, adhesion and long-distance, soluble cues. A better understanding of the molecules and mechanisms involved in establishment of the mDA system is important as a part of ongoing efforts to understand the consequence of conditions that may result from aberrant connectivity and also for cell replacement strategies for Parkinson's disease.
The cell phone as appropriate information technology: evidence from The Gambia

The adoption of modern information and communication technologies has been predicted to have a dramatic impact on cultures and civil societies, especially in those developing countries that have been ‘isolated’ from the information society. Theories and predictions on the impact of technologies are widely available in both popular and academic writing. To date, much new technology, in particular the Internet, has tended to prove unsustainable. However, reports on the cell phone’s influence have remained positive. In order to investigate the cell phone’s influence on non-Western cultures, over 1000 semi-qualitative questionnaires were collected and analysed alongside the details of ICT polices in The Gambia. In this paper, we discuss with empirical backing why the cell phone is an appropriate (information) technology for developing countries, and why IT continues to generate positive impact.
Blended learning for college students with English reading difficulties

Most previous studies in blended learning simply involved on-site and online instruction without considering students' control of their own learning in these two different modalities. The purpose of this study was to investigate how college students with English reading difficulties integrate their conceptions of and approaches to blended learning for enhancing their reading proficiency. A sample of 108 students was recruited – 54 students were assigned to the experimental group with blended learning and another 54 students to the control group with on-site instruction only. Results of this study revealed that the blended learning was effective in enhancing students' reading proficiency in the experimental group as shown in the semistructured interview for students' conceptions of blended learning, log files for their approaches to blended learning, and the post-test for the improvement of their reading outcomes. From the new conceptions and approaches generated by students, three factors were identified as helping them take control of their own reading in blended learning. First, the online reading activities enabled students to extensively practice what they had learned in the on-site instruction without the limitations of time and location. Second, the process data (log files) for students to observe and reflect on their own online reading process in strategy usages engaged students in metacognition since they were not allowed to compare their reading processes with those of their peers in the on-site instruction. Finally, social interaction was facilitated in blended learning, as students had more opportunities to discuss their reading difficulties during group discussions and obtain individual feedback from different peers.
Effects of Soil Drought Stress on the Accumulation of Alkaloids and Flavonoids in Motherwort

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of drought stress on alkaloids and flavonoids contents in different organs (leaves, stem and roots) of motherwort (Leonurus japonicus Houtt.). After seedlings grew six leaves, water deficiency treatment was conducted by stopping water supply for 7 days and resupplying with water afterwards. The alkaloids content increased 24 hr after water deficiency in roots of motherwort and three days after water deficiency in leaves and stem. Drought stress resulted in a significant increase in flavonoids content in the three organs as well. Meanwhile alkaloids and flavonoids contents significantly decreased after water resupply. Our results suggested that the proper drought stress would be favorable to the accumulation of alkaloids and flavonoids in motherwort，and it also would be beneficial to the total production of alkaloids and flavonoids.
Pre-existing Antineuraminidase Antibodies Are Associated With Shortened Duration of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm Virus Shedding and Illness in Naturally Infected Adults

Abstract Background Influenza causes a substantial burden worldwide, and current seasonal influenza vaccine has suboptimal effectiveness. To develop better, more broadly protective vaccines, a more thorough understanding is needed of how antibodies that target the influenza virus surface antigens, hemagglutinin (HA) (including head and stalk regions) and neuraminidase (NA), impact influenza illness and virus transmission. Methods We used a case-ascertained, community-based study of household influenza virus transmission set in Managua, Nicaragua. Using data from 170 reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)–confirmed influenza virus A(H1N1)pdm infections and 45 household members with serologically confirmed infection, we examined the association of pre-existing NA, hemagglutination inhibiting, and HA stalk antibody levels and influenza viral shedding and disease duration using accelerated failure time models. Results Among RT-PCR–confirmed infections in adults, pre-existing anti-NA antibody levels ≥40 were associated with a 69% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34–85%) shortened shedding duration (mean, 1.0 vs 3.2 days). Neuraminidase antibody levels ≥80 were associated with further shortened shedding and significantly shortened symptom duration (influenza-like illness, 82%; 95% CI, 39–95%). Among RT-PCR–confirmed infections in children, hemagglutination inhibition titers ≥1:20 were associated with a 32% (95% CI, 13–47%) shortened shedding duration (mean, 3.9 vs 6.0 days). Conclusions Our results suggest that anti-NA antibodies play a large role in reducing influenza illness duration in adults and may impact transmission, most clearly among adults. Neuraminidase should be considered as an additional target in next-generation influenza virus vaccine development. We found that antibodies against neuraminidase were associated with significantly shortened viral shedding, and among adults they were also associated with shortened symptom duration. These results support neuraminidase as a potential target of next-generation influenza virus vaccines.
Cephalometric Evaluation of the Upper Airway in Different Skeletal Classifications of Jaws.

BACKGROUND Respiratory system is an important section in development of maxillofacial components and many studies indicated its effect on normal growth of the jaws. The aim of this study is to evaluate upper airway in different skeletal classifications of jaws in lateral cephalogram and its relation to age and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study samples were 105 digital cephalometric radiographies, 72 females and 33 males. Lateral cephalograms were hand traced and based on Stainer analysis, there were 30 samples in Class I, 30 samples in Class II and 45 samples in Class III subgroup. Vertical linear measurements, horizontal linear measurements, and angular measurement, proportions and space measurements of the airway in the Cephalograms were analyzed by AutoCAD software. RESULTS Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20. Two horizontal linear measurement (the hypo pharyngeal airway depth, the nasopharyngeal airway depth) and one space measurement (soft palate space) were significantly different in skeletal classes. Vertical and horizontal linear measurements in the 3 groups were increased significantly in men rather than women. The developmental age of groups showed some significant differences. CONCLUSION Upper airway dimension is different in different skeletal classes, developmental ages, and gender.
Face verification and identification using DCT-NNDA and SIFT with score-level fusion

This paper proposes a new face verification and identification system based on the fusion of global and local features of face. DCT is used to extract global features from face images. A non-parametric discrimination method, NNDA is applied on the global features to make them more compact within the class clusters; while separating among the class clusters. The effects of expression variations are removed by DWT. It is found that DCT-NNDA is robust to small noisy (blurred) faces, but its performance degrades gradually for variations in scale, rotation, expression and pose. These issues are resolved using local feature extraction through SIFT. The work utilises strengths of DCT-NNDA and SIFT along with score level fusion. The proposed method is robust to scale, small noise, pose, expression, and illumination variations. The proposed system achieves 1% and 0.2% EER along with 99.5% and 98.6% recognition accuracy on ORL and Yale databases, respectively.
Amplifying the Mind’s Eye: Sketching and Visual Cognition

Although new technology is widely used for detailed design and image manipulation, its use in the early stages of visual invention is much less common, one reason being that the denotation systems used in paper-and-pencil sketching assist creativity in ways that are poorly understood. Leonardo da Vinci advocated the use of untidy indeterminacies for working out composition, because he believed that they stimulated visual invention. Recent research in cognitive psychology suggests a mental-imagery model that expands Leonardo’s theory and provides evidence for cognitive mechanisms that clarify the function of familiar sketch attributes. Sketches may mediate mental translation between spatially depictive and structurally descriptive modes of visual representation. Evidence for a hybrid percept-image theory of ordinary paper sketching is briefly outlined. Some implications of this theory for the development of improved computer sketching systems are briefly discussed.
Women Psychiatrists and Research: So Far, no Further? An Australasian Perspective on Factors that Encourage and Hinder Women Psychiatrists' Involvement in Research

Objective: Relatively few women psychiatrists conduct research during their careers. Little is known as to what accounts for this consistent finding. We sought to ascertain factors that might be pertinent among women Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP). Our long-term goal is to identify measures that could boost the proportion of women who become involved in research. Method: We submitted a questionnaire to the 670 women Fellows of the RANZCP in which we asked them whether they participated in research and what factors they considered helpful or detrimental to the pursuit of an interest in research. Results: Of the 375 (56%) respondents, 116 (31%) could be assigned to a researcher group (RG). Members of the RG more often identified features in their professional environment and access to mentors as facilitating research involvement compared to the non-researcher group (NRG). The RG had dedicated more time to research as well as to teaching, and less to clinical practice, compared to the NRG. Although family obligations affected both groups, the RG cited these as exerting less of an impact on their career than their non-researching colleagues. Conclusions: Given the factors that distinguish researching from non-researching Fellows, attention needs to be paid to the ethos of the professional environment, mentoring, and training opportunities in research in order to increase the recruitment of women investigators.
Implementing a Holistic Teaching in Modern ELT Classes: Using Technology and Integrating Four Skills

This conceptual paper explores the framework of which language teaching approaches are required to integrate the recent technologies in modern English Language Teaching (ELT) classes. Driven on the relevant literature of ELT and Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), we argue that integration of language skills in a holistic way and the technology as the enabler can facilitate the learners’ obtaining the knowledge of the language and the knowledge about how to use the language appropriately in communicative situations.
Optimal Diversity‐Multiplexing Tradeoff of MIMO Multi‐way Relay Channel

A MIMO multi‐way relay channel with full data exchange in which K users exchange messages with each other via the help of a single relay is considered. For the case in which each link is quasi‐static Rayleigh fading and the relay is full‐duplex, the fundamental diversity‐multiplexing tradeoff (DMT) is investigated, and we show that a compress‐and‐forward relay protocol can achieve the optimal DMT.
Teacher use of the interactive whiteboard in primary schools: towards an effective transition framework

abstract The growing use of the interactive whiteboard (IWB) in primary school teaching forms part of a number of initiatives within the schools of the United Kingdom to develop the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in teaching and learning. The IWB presents both challenges and opportunities to teachers, particularly in terms of staff development and training. This study uses classroom observation and semi-structured interviews with teachers now working in a recently built, technology-rich primary school to develop a generic progressive framework and developmental model for schools introducing the IWB. This framework can be used to assess and guide teacher progress on the continuum towards becoming a ‘synergistic user’. As teachers make this transition there is a fundamental requirement to adopt an interactive teaching style, alongside the gradual development of specific ICT skills. The study also examines implications for teacher education and training for schools, both prior and subsequent to the introduction of the IWB into classroom use. These include specific technical and pedagogical competencies which need to be addressed for effective interactive use of the IWB in classroom teaching
Licensing and alignment: a conspiracy in harmony

Harmony is a phonological pattern in which a sequence of vowels and/or consonants must have the same specification for a particular feature, descriptively referred to as the harmonic feature. In the clear cases, whenever the harmonic feature occurs in a word, the expected manifestation of the harmony pattern is also encountered. For example, in Capanahua (Loos 1969) where [nasal] is the harmonic feature, a nasal consonant always shares nasality with a preceding sequence containing vowels, semivowels and/or laryngeals.
The Use of Human Immune Serum Globulin (Gamma Globulin) in Infectious (Epidemic) Hepatitis in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. II. Studies on Treatment in an Epidemic of Infectious Hepatitis.

Because of the long period of convalescence following infectious hepatitis with resulting loss of manpower to the United States Army, the present study was conducted in suitable groups in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in order to determine whether or not gamma globulin is an effective therapeutic agent in lessening the severity of the disease and in shortening the period of convalescence. Stokes and Neefe, 1 pointing out that globulin is often of value if injected soon after the onset of the initial symptoms of measles, 2 suggested its trial as a therapeutic measure in early infectious hepatitis. Through the cooperation of an air force in this theater, patients developing infectious hepatitis were made available for the study. The majority of the patients came from one bombardment group and were diagnosed by the squadron physicians, who had extensive experience with the disease. Patients were chosen for the study as soon
[Integrated intensive treatment of tinnitus: decrease of the tinnitus-related distress during a one-year follow-up study].

AIM OF THE STUDY The therapy of the chronic tinnitus is aimed at improving the way patients cope with their tinnitus and at reducing the tinnitus-related distress. The present study investigated the changes of psychometric parameters that occurred in patients with chronic tinnitus after 7-days outpatient multidisciplinary therapy. The changes were monitored for up to 1 year in order to evaluate the long-term efficiency. METHODS Main emphasis of the intensive tinnitus therapy applied was placed on tinnitus habituation and on teaching the patients how to apply coping strategies. The main elements of the multimodal concept included progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson, physiotherapy, educative seminars, training of selective attention and, lastly, the change of judgment, attitude and behaviour towards tinnitus. Psychometric parameters and tinnitus-related distress were assessed prior to and after the therapy (at 3, 6 and 12 months) using the tinnitus questionnaire (TQ) according to Goebel and Hiller. Furthermore, subjects waiting for therapy (waiting list) were recruited to the control group and compared with the therapy group which had received therapy 3 months earlier. RESULTS The therapy group showed a significant reduction of the TQ total score after 3 months as compared to the control group. Moreover, we observed a long-term, progressive positive outcome during the one-year follow-up. The TQ total score was reduced by 10.9 points. There was an obvious decrease of the emotional and cognitive distress as well as of the intrusiveness of tinnitus, as per evaluation of TQ subscales. CONCLUSIONS The outpatient intensive multidisciplinary tinnitus therapy with long-term aftercare has proved to be an effective method in the treatment of patients with chronic tinnitus. The outpatient setting enables the instant implementation of strategies learned during therapy in the patients' everyday life.