Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
GABA‐Mediated Synaptic Interaction Between the Visual and Vestibular Pathways of Hermissenda

Abstract: The synaptic convergence of the eyes and the vestibular hair cells in the nudibranch mollusc Hermissenda has been shown previously to mediate the learning of simple visual‐vestibular associations. The neurotransmitter mediating this interaction between the visual and vestibular organs was characterized. HPLC chromatography, confirmed by mass spectroscopic analysis, demonstrated endogenous GABA in the statocysts, in a concentration approximately 150 times greater than in the whole CMS. Additional confirmation was provided by immunocytochemical localization of GABA in hair cell axons and branches that converge with photoreceptor terminal branches. Depolarization of the hair cells in the caudal region of the statocyst in response to positive current injection or vibratory stimulation caused a hyperpolarization and a cessation of the type B photoreceptor impulse activity. The inhibition of the B cell was unaffected by addition to the artificial sea water bath of the adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (250 μM), the cholinergic antagonist atropine (250 μM), and the serotonergic antagonist imipramine (50 μM). In contrast, the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (250 μM) significantly reduced the inhibitory interaction. Moreover, the GABA reuptake inhibitor guvisine (250 μM)M) increased the hyperpolarization. Pressure microapplication of GABA (12.5 or 25 μM) onto the terminal branches of the B cell resulted in a concentration‐dependent hyperpolarization and cessation of spikes in the B cell. Depolarization of the caudal hair cell, or direct GABA application, decreased input resistance across the B cell soma membrane. Moreover, removal of chloride from the extracellular solution reduced inhibition of the B cell induced by GABA application or hair cell stimulation. Furthermore, application of the GABAB agonist baclofen hyperpolarized the type B cell and reduced or eliminated spontaneous impulse activity at the resting membrane potential. The reversal potentials for inhibition induced in all three procedures ranged from −70 to −80 mV and were consistent with mixed Cl‐ and K+ conductances. These results implicate GABA as the endogenous neurotransmitter mediating visual‐vestibular interactions in this animal, and suggest a possible role of GABA in visual‐vestibular associative learning.
Developing a dual-perspective low-carbon tourism evaluation index system for travel agencies

ABSTRACT This paper presents a two-stage development model for low-carbon tourism (LCT). In study I, a qualitative questionnaire was developed using the Delphi and analytic hierarchy process methods, and this was then distributed to 19 experts, whose opinions were used to develop a complete index system for low-carbon tours. In study II, 393 tourists questionnaires administered in the Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area were utilized to determine whether the index system would affect visitor purchase intentions. The findings showed that the LCT index system positively influenced tourists' purchase intentions, and their actual purchase behaviors toward low-carbon products. However, this study empirically found that there are significant differences with regard to what these two groups (experts and tourists) view as important in a low-carbon tour system. The contributions of this study include: (1) confirming the importance of the multiple perspectives obtained from the travel industry and tourists to establish the LCT system; (2) using the case study to investigate tourists' opinions to better understand whether the LCT index that was developed based on the industry perspective in stage one was appropriate; and (3) offering practical suggestions to help businesses better understand specific trends and plans for LCT.
Development of Canadian screening tools for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

BACKGROUND Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the most common cause of neurobehavioural handicap in North America. Screening for FASD may facilitate diagnosis and hence management of these children. We present a variety of screening tools for the identification of children at risk for FASD. METHODS We critically reviewed and evaluated published and practiced methods for their potential of screening suspected cases, their epidemiological characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values) [Phase I], as well as their feasibility [Phase II]. RESULTS The following five tools were selected for the FASD screening toolkit: screening fatty acid ethyl esters in neonatal meconium, the modified Child Behaviour Checklist, Medicine Wheel tool, Asante Centre Probation Officer Tool, and maternal history of drinking and drug use. CONCLUSIONS The toolkit for FASD screening aims at screening different populations, from the newborns to youth and at-risk mothers. It is anticipated that the toolkit will facilitate diagnosis of FASD.
Immunogenicity and Allergenic Potential of Animal and Human Insulins

Immunological complications of insulin therapy have been evident since animal insulins became available for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in 1922. Insulin allergy has been particularly common, with local symptoms still occurring in ∼ 5% of all patients. Insulin antibodies of high titers were observed in many patients treated with early insulin preparations containing proinsulin, C-peptide, and other peptide contaminants. Immunoglobulin G-insulin antibodies of very high levels can lead to immune-mediated insulin resistance, which is now extremely rare because of the widespread use of highly purified porcine insulin and human insulin preparations. Lipoatrophy, which was reported in 10–55% of patients treated with nonpurified bovine/porcine insulin preparations, has almost disappeared in patients since the advent of exclusive human insulin treatment. In view of the wide spectrum of immune-mediated complications of insulin therapy, much attention has been directed to the reduced immunogenicity and allergenicity of highly purified porcine insulins and the more recently available recombinant and semisynthetic human insulin preparations. Insulin antibodies of the immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin E type can develop, however, in very low titers in patients treated exclusively with human insulin. Frequency and levels of immunoglobulin G insulin antibodies are identical in patients treated either with biosynthetic or semisynthetic human insulin preparations. Allergic symptoms to human insulin are now found in < 1% of de novo-treated patients, but still may occur when human insulin is used in the insulin-allergic patient. In summary, immunological complications of insulin therapy have decreased significantly during the last two decades and are now predominantly observed in patients with interrupted insulin therapy.
KIAA1429 regulates the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma by altering m6A modification of ID2 mRNA

Purpose N6-methyladenosine (m6A), the most abundant mRNA modification in mammals, is involved in various biological processes. KIAA1429 is an important methyltransferase participating in m6A modification. However, the role of KIAA1429 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still not well understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the function of KIAA1429 and its corresponding regulation mechanisms in HCC. Patients and methods HCC-related genes were analyzed by clinical and expression data of HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Expression of KIAA1429 was verified by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR, and interference efficiency was obtained using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by cell counting kit-8 and transwell assays, and the m6A modification was detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-PCR (MeRIP-PCR). Results We found a difference in the expression of KIAA1429 between HCC and normal hepatic tissues by analyzing data from the TCGA database. Comparing HCC cell lines (HepG2, Huh-7, HepG2.2.15) with normal hepatic cells (HL-7702), we observed an identically significant difference in KIAA1429 expression. KIAA1429 significantly enhanced proliferation, migration, and invasion of HepG2 cells. Moreover, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes functional enrichment analysis and correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between KIAA1429 and ID2. In the subsequent MeRIP-PCR assay, downregulation of KIAA1429 inhibited m6A modification of ID2 mRNA. Conclusion KIAA1429 facilitated migration and invasion of HCC by inhibiting ID2 via upregulating m6A modification of ID2 mRNA.
Predominance of Adenosine Excitatory over Inhibitory Effects on Transmission at the Neuromuscular Junction of Infant Rats

Adenosine-induced modulation of neuromuscular transmission in young (3–4-week-old) rats was evaluated. Inhibition of adenosine kinase with iodotubercidin (ITU; 10 μM), which is known to induce adenosine release, enhanced the amplitude of evoked end-plate potentials (EPPs) recorded from innervated diaphragm muscle fibers. This facilitatory effect was transformed into an inhibitory one upon blockade of adenosine A2A receptors with 4-(2-[7-amino-2-(2-furly)[1,2,4]triazolo[2,3-a][1,3,5]triazin5ylamino] ethyl) phenol (ZM 241385) (50 nM); further blockade of adenosine A1 receptors with the selective antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX; 10 nM) abolished that inhibition. Adenosine or 2-chloroadenosine (CADO), at submicromolar concentrations, increased the amplitude and the quantal content of EPPs, whereas at low micromolar concentrations they decreased EPP amplitude. Blockade of A1 receptors with DPCPX (10 nM) prevented both excitatory and inhibitory effects, whereas blockade of A2A receptors with ZM241385 (50 nM) prevented only the excitatory effects. DPCPX and ZM241385 also prevented the excitatory effect of the selective A2A receptor agonist 2-[p-(2-carboxyethyl) phenethylamino]-5′-N-ethylcarboxamido adenosine hydrochloride (CGS 21680; 10 nM). CADO (30 nM) also increased neuromuscular transmission in adult (12–16-week-old) rats. It is suggested that at the motor nerve endings, low extracellular concentrations of adenosine activate both A2A and A1 receptors, but activation of A2A receptors predominates over A1 receptors; the activity of A2A receptors might, however, require coactivation of A1 receptors. This facilitatory action of low concentrations of extracellular adenosine upon acetylcholine release may be particularly relevant at developing neuromuscular junctions, where subtle changes in synaptic levels of acetylcholine might influence synaptic stabilization.
Sources of Real Exchange Rate Misalignment Evidence from Pakistan

The objective of this study is to estimate the effects of fundamentals and their sustainable levels for measuring the equilibrium real exchange rate and its misalignment for Pakistan. Applying the theory of fundamentals of real exchange rate, it first establishes these variables as the long run determinants of Pakistan’s real exchange rate and then it estimates their sustainable levels for the equilibrium real exchange rate. On the basis of the sustainable levels, the study then proposes their individual role in aligning real exchange rate towards its equilibrium level. Length: 18 pages
Inter‐instrumental variation of skin capacitance measured with the Corneometer®

Background/purpose: Measurement of skin surface and stratum corneum (SC) hydration during clinical and/or experimental trials needs devices with acceptable reproducibility and sensitivity under conditions ranging from increased and normal to low hydration. A previous study comparing Corneometer® instruments (European group for Efficacy Measurement of Cosmetics and Other products – EEMCO) used for measurement of electrical capacitance of skin indicated a major difference among Corneometer® instruments. The aim of this study was to assess threee inter‐instrumental similar Corneometer® instruments (two pieces of CM820 and one CM810) in normal skin. We named them CM‐A(CM820), CM‐B(CM820), and CM‐C(CM810).
Sustaining without Changing: The Metabolic Rift of Certified Organic Farming

Many proponents of organic farming claim that it is a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture due to its reliance on natural agro-inputs, such as manure based fertilizers and organic pesticides. However, in this analysis we argue that although particular organic farming practices clearly benefit ecosystems and human consumers, the social context in which some organic farms develop, limit the potential environmental benefits of organic agriculture. Specifically, we argue that certified organic farming’s increased reliance on agro-inputs, such as organic fertilizers and pesticides, reduces its ability to decrease global water pollution. We review recent research that demonstrates the environmental consequences of specific organic practices, as well as literature showing that global organic farming is increasing its reliance on agro-inputs, and contend that organic farming has its own metabolic rift with natural water systems similar to conventional agriculture. We use a fixed-effects panel regression model to explore how recent rises in certified organic farmland correlate to water pollution (measured as biochemical oxygen demand). Our findings indicate that increases in the proportion of organic farmland over time increases water pollution. We conclude that this may be a result of organic farms increasing their reliance on non-farm agro-inputs, such as fertilizers.
In Vitro Antiplatelet Activity of Flavonoids from Leuzea Carthamoides

Plants and their secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, exhibit a wide range of biological effects. Consequently, natural substances are receiving an increased attention in medicinal research. Owing to these facts, in vitro antiplatelet activity of ethanol summary extract and four flavonoids from Leuzea carthamoides was determined in human platelet-rich plasma. Arachidonic acid (AA), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen (COL), and thrombin were used as agonists of platelet aggregation. The summary extract showed a significant inhibition of the aggregation induced by COL and ADP. Of the tested flavonoids, eriodictyol (1) and patuletin (2) influenced COL- and AA-induced aggregation. Their IC50 values are presented. Flavonoid glycosides eriodictyol-7-β-glucopyranoside (3) and 6-hydroxykaempferol-7-O-(6″-O-acetyl-β-D[small cap]-glucopyranoside) (4) were found to be weak antiplatelet agents. These results confirmed the fact that glucosylation decreases the antiplatelet activity. Quantitative composition of tested flavonoids in L. carthamoides extract was also determined. Though two of the tested flavonoids inhibited platelet aggregation, further evaluation of L. carthamoides, in order to discover other antiplatelet active compounds and possible adverse health effects, is needed.
Acoustic investigations into the later acquisition of syllabic -es plurals.

PURPOSE Children acquire /-z/ syllabic plurals (e.g., bus es) later than /-s, -z/ segmental plurals (e.g., cat s, dog s). In this study, the authors explored whether increased syllable number or segmental factors best explains poorer performance with syllabic plurals. METHOD An elicited imitation experiment was conducted with 14 two-year-olds involving 8 familiar disyllabic target plural nouns, half with syllabic plurals (e.g., bus → bus es) and half with segmental plurals (e.g., letter → letter s). Children saw pictures of the target items on a computer and repeated prerecorded 3-word-utterances with the target word in utterance-medial position (e.g., "The buses come") and utterance-final position (e.g., "Hear the buses"). Acoustic analysis determined the presence or absence of the plural morpheme and its duration. RESULTS Children had more trouble producing syllabic plurals compared with segmental plurals. Errors were especially evident in the utterance-medial position, where there was less time for the child to perceive/produce the word in the absence of phrase-final lengthening and where planning for the following word was still required. CONCLUSIONS The results suggested that articulatory difficulties-rather than a word length effect-explain later acquisition of syllabic plurals relative to segmental plurals. These findings have implications for the nature of syllabic plural acquisition in children with hearing impairments and specific language impairment.
Effects of PPP1R1B (DARPP-32) Polymorphism on Feedback-Related Brain Potentials Across the Life Span

Maximizing gains during probabilistic reinforcement learning requires the updating of choice – outcome expectations at the time when the feedback about a specific choice or action is given. Extant theories and evidence suggest that dopaminergic modulation plays a crucial role in reinforcement learning and the updating of choice – outcome expectations. Furthermore, recently a positive component of the event-related potential about 200 ms (P2) after feedback has been suggested to reflect such updating. The efficacy of dopaminergic modulation changes across the life span. However, to date investigations of age-related differences in feedback-related P2 during reinforcement learning are still scarce. The present study thus aims to investigate whether individual differences in the feedback-related P2 would be associated with polymorphic variations in a dopamine relevant gene PPP1R1B (also known as DARPP-32) and whether the genetic effect may differ between age groups. We observed larger P2 amplitudes in individuals carrying the genotype associated with higher dopamine receptor efficacy, i.e., a allele homozygotes of a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs907094) of the PPP1R1B gene. Moreover, this effect was more pronounced in children and older adults in comparison to adolescents and younger adults. Together, our findings indicate that polymorphic variations in a dopamine relevant gene are associated with individual differences in brain-evoked potentials of outcome updating and hint at the possibility that genotype effects on neurocognitive phenotypes may vary as a function of brain maturation and aging.
Electronic commerce: the information-security challenge

The major reason why most people are still sceptical about electronic commerce is the perceived security risks associated with electronic transactions over the Internet. The Internet, however, holds many opportunities that could mean survival or competitive advantage for many organisations. To exploit these opportunities, it is important to first analyse the risks they hold. Electronic commerce is based on business as well as technological risks, making it a very difficult environment to secure. Apart from these two types of risk categories there are several other issues and problems that need to be addressed.
Genome-wide Expression Analysis of Mouse Liver Reveals CLOCK-regulated Circadian Output Genes*

CLOCK is a positive component of a transcription/translation-based negative feedback loop of the central circadian oscillator in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mammals. To examine CLOCK-regulated circadian transcription in peripheral tissues, we performed microarray analyses using liver RNA isolated from Clock mutant mice. We also compared expression profiles with those of Cryptochromes (Cry1 and Cry2) double knockout mice. We identified more than 100 genes that fluctuated from day to night and of which expression levels were decreased in Clock mutant mice. In Cry-deficient mice, the expression levels of most CLOCK-regulated genes were elevated to the upper range of normal oscillation. Most of the screened genes had a CLOCK/BMAL1 binding site (E box) in the 5′-flanking region. We found that CLOCK was absolutely concerned with the circadian transcription of one type of liver genes (such as DBP, TEF, and Usp2) and partially with another (such as mPer1, mPer2, mDec1, Nocturnin, P450 oxidoreductase, and FKBP51) because the latter were damped but remained rhythmic in the mutant mice. Our results showed that CLOCK and CRY proteins are involved in the transcriptional regulation of many circadian output genes in the mouse liver. In addition to being a core component of the negative feedback loop that drives the circadian oscillator, CLOCK also appears to be involved in various physiological functions such as cell cycle, lipid metabolism, immune functions, and proteolysis in peripheral tissues.
Primary Care Physicians' Use of FDA-Approved Prescription Drug Labels

Background: In 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration reorganized the approved label format and content for prescription drugs —also known as the prescribing information (PI). This research examines primary care physicians' use of the new PI and how it may influence their perceptions about prescription drugs. Methods: A total of 500 physicians responded to an Internet survey that displayed an interactive PI for a fictitious combination pain relief/heart attack–reducing drug. The physicians answered questions about perceived risk, perceived benefit, and intention to prescribe that focused on either the treatment indication or the prevention indication. Results: Physicians viewed PI sections in order, most often viewing sections relevant to safe use, such as Warnings and Precautions and Dosage and Administration. When asked to think about the drug's efficacy, many viewed the Clinical Studies section. Viewing certain PI sections was associated with greater perceived risk and lower perceived benefits and intention to prescribe. Conclusions: These results suggest that the information in the PI could affect physician decision making and do not support further reorganization of the PI.
The Role of Heterogeneous Agents: Speculators in Oil Markets

This study investigates the role of heterogeneous agents in oil markets and tests tales of speculators in oil price formation. Results obtained from using a non-linear heterogeneous agent model suggest that oil market prices are driven by different groups of speculators, namely fundamentalists, chartists and the newly introduced contrarians. The latter enable us to disentangle stabilizing effects previously attributed solely to fundamentalists, and they are on average the most dominating group, whereas chartists exacerbate the huge price swings in 1990, 2008 and 2011. We also show how sensitive the model outcomes are to the specification of the fundamental value, what has strong economic implications.
Posthumous Parleys: Chatting Up the Dead in the Ancient Novels

Formal consultations with the dead in Heliodorus and in a tale narrated within Apuleius's Golden Ass allow us to develop a typology for novelistic necromancy that includes a necromancer, a ritual involving both words and magical substances, a difficult reanimation, and a testable prophecy. Apu­leius includes another, less obviously necromantic posthumous parley be­tween Aristomenes and Socrates at the beginning of the Golden Ass that may have significant implications for the interpretation of the work's ending and therefore for the novel as a whole. Niall W. Slater, Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Latin and Greek at Emory University, is the author of Reading Petronius (Johns Hopkins 1990), Plautus in Performance (Princeton 1985, 2nd ed. Harwood 2000), and Spectator Politics: Metatheatre and Performance in Aristophanes (Penn 2002). Currently he is writing a Duckworth Companion to Euripides' Alcestis .