Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The excitatory thalamo‐“cortical” projection within the song control system of zebra finches is formed by calbindin‐expressing neurons

The learning and production of vocalizations in songbirds are controlled by a system of interconnected brain nuclei organized into a direct vocal motor pathway and an anterior forebrain (pallium‐basal ganglia‐thalamo‐pallial) loop. Here we show that the thalamo‐pallial (“thalamo‐cortical”) projection (from the medial part of the dorsolateral thalamic nucleus to the lateral magnocellular nucleus of the anterior nidopallium—DLM to LMAN) within the anterior forebrain loop is composed of cells positive for the calcium‐binding protein calbindin. We show that the vast majority of cells within DLM express calbindin, based both on immunocytochemistry (ICC) for calbindin protein and in situ hybridization for calb mRNA. Using a combination of tract‐tracing and ICC we show that the neurons that participate in the DLM‐to‐LMAN projection are calbindin‐positive. We also demonstrate that DLM is devoid of cells expressing mRNA for the GABAergic marker zGAD65. This observation confirms that the calbindin‐expressing cells in DLM are not GABAergic, in accordance with previous electrophysiological data indicating that the DLM‐to‐LMAN projection is excitatory. Furthermore, we use ICC to determine the trajectory of the fibers within the DLM‐to‐LMAN projection, and to demonstrate a sex difference in calbindin expression levels in the fibers of the DLM‐to‐LMAN projection. Our findings provide a clear‐cut neurochemical signature for a critical projection in the songbird vocal control pathways that enable song learning. J. Comp. Neurol. 504:601–618, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Decision to Moonlight: Does Second Job Holding by the Self‐Employed and Employed Differ?

This article considers drivers of second job holding among the self-employed in comparison with the employed. Econometric analysis of panel data explores whether the self-employed are more or less likely to take on a second job when already running their own business than their employed counterparts. The findings contribute to the literature through identification of a need-based variable—difficulty in meeting housing costs—as a key driver of movements from self-employment to hybrid entrepreneurship. Findings, further, identify different patterns of second job holding by gender, particularly among self-employed individuals.
Insect pathogenic properties of Serratia marcescens: phage-resistant mutants with a decreased resistance to Cecropia immunity and a decreased virulence to Drosophila.

A non-pigmented strain of Serratia marcescens (Db10) was isolated from moribund Drosophila flies. From this strain were isolated spontaneous mutants resistant to streptomycin (Db11) and nalidixic acid (Db12). Mutant Db11 was used for the isolation of two phages, phi J and phi K, which grew on Db10, Db11 and Db12, but not on three reference strains of S. marcescens. Mutant Db11 was demonstrated to fulfil koch's postulates. Strain Db10 and its antibiotic-resistant derivatives were lethal to Drosophila whether given in the food or by injection. Evidence for toxin(s) was found only in sterile supernatants from 7 d cultures. Such extracts contained proteolytic activity and inactivated the antibacterial activity in immune haemolymph from Cecropia. Phages phi J and phi K were used to isolate phage-resistant mutants of Db11. Three such mutants and their parental strain were investigated for their susceptibility to immune haemolymph from Cecropia. The parental strain was resistant to incubation with 90% haemolymph for 2 h at 37 degrees C; all phage-resistant mutants were susceptible to the immune haemolymph with "killing times" (i.e. the time required to kill 90% of the viable cells) ranging from 15 to 55 min. When the same strains were compared for their virulence to Drosophila, the phage-resistant mutants had significantly reduced virulence. It is concluded that resistance to insect immunity plays an important role in the overall pathogenicity of S. marcescens.
Effects of natural selection on patterns of DNA sequence variation at the transferrin, somatolactin, and p53 genes within and among chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) populations

This paper describes DNA sequence variation within and among four populations of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) at the transferrin, somatolactin and p53 genes. Patterns of variation among salmon species at the transferrin gene have been hypothesized to be shaped by positive natural selection for new alleles because the rate of nonsynonymous substitution is significantly greater than the rate of synonymous substitution. The twin goals of this study were to determine if the history of selection among salmon species at the transferrin gene is also reflected in patterns of intraspecific variation in chinook salmon, and to look for evidence of local adaptation at the transferrin gene by comparing patterns of nonsynonymous and synonymous variation among chinook salmon populations. The analyses presented here show that unlike patterns of variation between species, there is no evidence of greater differentiation among chinook salmon populations at nonsynonymous compared to synonymous sites. There is also no evidence of a reduction of within‐species variation due to the hitchhiking effect at the transferrin gene, although in some populations nonsynonymous and synonymous derived mutations are both at higher frequencies than expected under a simple neutral model. Population size weighted selection coefficients (4Ns) that are consistent with both the inter and intraspecific data range from ~10 to ~235, and imply that between 1 and 40% of new nonsynonymous mutations at the transferrin gene have been beneficial.
Prevalence of “Norwalk‐like virus” infections in outbreaks of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis observed during the 1999–2000 season in Osaka city, Japan

We have investigated the incidence of Norwalk‐like viruses (NLVs) associated with outbreaks of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in Osaka City, Japan, since April 1996 using reverse transcription (RT)‐PCR and electron microscopy methods. From the results of the first 3 years, between April 1996 and March 1999, we previously reported that multiple genetic types of NLVs were detected in 71.9% of outbreaks using RT‐PCR with Ando's primers except for one outbreak [Iritani et al., 2000 ]. However, during the 1999–2000 season, NLV outbreak strains, which could not be detected by RT‐PCR with Ando's primers, were increased. From probe typing and sequence analysis, 76.9% of these undetectable outbreak strains were classified into the P1‐B type and the others were untypeable. These untypeable strains were closely related with Alphatron type strains detected in the Netherlands. The P2‐B probe type of the NLV outbreak strains was predominant (88.2%) in the 1999–2000 season. The phylogram based on the 81 nucleotide sequences from these P2‐B outbreak strains formed 2 clusters closely related with Lordsdale virus. The dominant genetic type of the P2‐B outbreak strains, during the 1996–1997 season in Osaka City, belonged in one of these 2 clusters. These findings of the emergence of NLVs escaping the RT‐PCR method strongly indicated the importance of probe typing and sequence analysis to survey NLV infections. Our surveillance of NLV infection in the outbreaks, for these 4 years, showed that the predominant probe type and dominant genetic type of NLV outbreak strains changed each season. J. Med. Virol. 66:131–138, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intravenous Dexamethasone and Perineural Dexamethasone Similarly Prolong the Duration of Analgesia After Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized, Triple-arm, Double-Blind, placebo-Controlled Trial

Background and Objectives Perineural dexamethasone prolongs the duration of single-injection peripheral nerve block when added to the local anesthetic solution. Postulated systemic mechanisms of action along with theoretical safety concerns have prompted the investigation of intravenous dexamethasone as an alternative, with decidedly mixed results. We aimed to confirm that addition of intravenous dexamethasone will prolong the duration of analgesia after single-injection supraclavicular block compared with conventional long-acting local anesthetic alone or in combination with perineural dexamethasone for ambulatory upper extremity surgery. Methods Seventy-five patients were randomized to receive supraclavicular block using 30-mL bupivacaine 0.5% alone (Control), with concomitant intravenous dexamethasone 8 mg (DexIV), or with perineural dexamethasone 8 mg (DexP). Duration of analgesia was designated as the primary outcome. To test our hypothesis, the superiority of DexIV was first compared with Control and then with DexP. Motor block duration, pain scores, opioid consumption, opioid-related side effects, patient satisfaction, and block-related complications were also analyzed. Results Twenty-five patients per group were analyzed. The duration of analgesia (mean [95% confidence interval]) was prolonged in the DexIV group (25 hours [17.6–23.6]) compared with Control (13.2 hours [11.5–15.0]; P < 0.001) but similar to the DexP group (25 hours [19.5–27.4]; P = 1). The DexIV group experienced longer motor block (30.1 hours) compared with DexP (25.5 hours) and Control (19.7 hours) groups. Both DexIV and DexP had reduced pain scores, reduced postoperative opioid consumption, and improved satisfaction compared with Control. Conclusions In a single-injection supraclavicular block with long-acting local anesthetic, the effectiveness of intravenous dexamethasone in prolonging the duration of analgesia seems similar to perineural dexamethasone.
Effects of oral potassium supplementation on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations of horses during endurance exercise.

OBJECTIVE To compare effects of oral supplementation with an experimental potassium-free sodium-abundant electrolyte mixture (EM-K) with that of oral supplementation with commercial potassium-rich mixtures (EM+K) on acid-base status and plasma ion concentrations in horses during an 80-km endurance ride. ANIMALS 46 healthy horses. PROCEDURE Blood samples were collected before the ride; at 21-, 37-, 56-, and 80-km inspection points; and during recovery (ie, 30-minute period after the ride). Consumed electrolytes were recorded. Blood was analyzed for pH, PvCO2, and Hct, and plasma was analyzed for Na+, K+, Cl-, Ca2+, Mg2+, lactate, albumin, phosphate, and total protein concentrations. Plasma concentrations of H+ and HCO3-, the strong ion difference (SID), and osmolarity were calculated. RESULTS 34 (17 EM-K and 17 EM+K treated) horses finished the ride. Potassium intake was 33 g less and Na+ intake was 36 g greater for EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. With increasing distance, plasma osmolarity; H+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, phosphate, lactate, total protein, and albumin concentrations; and PvCO2 and Hct were increased in all horses. Plasma HCO3-, Ca2+, and Cl- concentrations were decreased. Plasma H+ concentration was significantly lower in EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. Plasma K+ concentrations at the 80-km inspection point and during recovery were significantly less in EM-K-treated horses, compared with EM+K-treated horses. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Increases in plasma H+ and K+ concentrations in this endurance ride were moderate and unlikely to contribute to signs of muscle fatigue and hyperexcitability in horses.
Identifying tourists with smaller environmental footprints

This paper identifies which information about tourists serves as the best predictor of their pro-environmental behavior at home and on vacation. If a small set of predictors can be identified, the tourism industry would be able to use them to focus attention on attracting tourists with smaller environmental footprints. Results from a survey asking respondents about pro-environmental behavior in their role as residents and tourists indicate that environmental concern, altruism, feeling morally obliged to behave in an environmentally friendly manner, age and regional identity are the best predictors of the segment of people who behave in an environmentally friendly way at home. Income levels and moral obligation best predict membership of the segment of environmentally friendly tourists. The two segments overlap; differences between them are due to the fact that, at home, people can create the infrastructure they require to behave in an environmentally friendly way. On vacation they need to adjust to the infrastructure provided, which can act as a barrier to pro-environmental behavior. Results have direct practical implications, highlighting the value of demand-side approaches to environmentally sustainable tourism for protected areas, both urban and rural, such as focusing on those market segments that have the highest intrinsic inclination to protect the environment.
Using abduction and external rotation of the shoulder to increase the sensitivity of MR arthrography in revealing tears of the anterior glenoid labrum.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare oblique axial MR arthrograms obtained with the patient's shoulder in abduction and external rotation (ABER) position with conventional axial MR arthrograms obtained with the patient's arm in neutral position and the shoulder not rotated in revealing tears of the anterior glenoid labrum (AGL). SUBJECTS AND METHODS MR arthrography of the shoulder that included an additional oblique axial imaging sequence with the patient in the ABER position was performed in 256 patients. Assessment of AGL integrity with patients in both conventional axial and ABER positions was made before surgery. These assessments were compared with the surgical findings. RESULTS Of the 92 patients who underwent surgery, AGL tears were found in 27. Conventional axial MR arthrograms revealed 13 tears (sensitivity, 48%; specificity, 91%). A separate review of MR arthrograms obtained with patients in the ABER position revealed 24 tears (sensitivity, 89%; specificity, 95%). Reviewed together, axial MR arthrograms and MR arthrograms obtained with patients in the ABER position revealed 26 tears (sensitivity, 96%; specificity, 97%). CONCLUSION Oblique axial MR arthrograms obtained with the patient's shoulder in the ABER position were significantly more sensitive in revealing AGL tears (p = .005) than were conventional axial MR arthrograms obtained with the patient's aim in a neutral position and the shoulder not rotated.
A Controlled Trial of Home-Based Acute Psychiatric Services

While research has shown community-based psychiatric care to be as good as, or better than, hospital-based care, generalisation to clinical practice has been difficult. This prospective, randomised controlled study examined a community-based approach feasible within NHS conditions. Ninety-four patients were randomly allocated to experimental and 78 to control treatments and followed for one year. The groups were well matched apart from an excess of psychotic control patients. No differences in clinical or social functioning outcome were found. Both groups improved substantially on clinical measures in the first six weeks, with some slow consolidation thereafter. There were three suicides in the control group and one in the experimental group. Access to care was better in the experimental group (93% attended assessment) than in the control group (75% attended assessment).
Obstacle avoidance of autonomous vehicles based on model predictive control

Abstract This paper presents an obstacle avoidance scheme for autonomous vehicles as an active safety procedure in unknown environments. Safe trajectories are generated using the non-linear model predictive framework, in which the simplified dynamics of the vehicle are used to predict the state of the vehicle over the look-ahead horizon. To compensate for the slight dissimilarity between the simplified model and the actual vehicle, a separate controller is designed to track the generated trajectory. The longitudinal dynamics of the vehicle are controlled using the inverse dynamics of the vehicle powertrain model, and the lateral dynamics are controlled using a linear quadratic regulator. In the non-linear model predictive framework, to obtain safe trajectories, local obstacle information is incorporated into the performance index using a parallax-based method. Simulation results on a full non-linear vehicle model show that the proposed combination of model-predictive-control-based trajectory generation and tracking controller gives satisfactory online obstacle avoidance performance.
Capitalisation of the SPS into Agricultural Land Rental Prices under Harmonisation of Payments

This paper provides estimates of the capitalization of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payment of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) on agricultural land rental rates. We address problems of unobserved heterogeneity and sample selection. As the 2013 CAP Reform calls for the harmonization of SPS payments, we estimate the implications of this mandate on agricultural land rental rates over time as Germany began harmonizing payments in 2010. Using Bavarian farm level panel data we find strong capitalization effects that increase substantially in the years following 2009. On average, the marginal effect on rental rates of an additional SPS euro is 38 cents, growing over time to 57 cents as harmonization develops.
Effects of Raloxifene on Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women: The Raloxifene Use for The Heart Trial

Using data from a randomized placebo‐controlled trial of 10,101 postmenopausal women not selected on the basis of osteoporosis, we examined whether the effect of raloxifene treatment on fractures was consistent across categories of fracture risk. Treatment with raloxifene for 5 yr reduced the risk of clinical vertebral fractures, but not nonvertebral fractures, irrespective of the presence or absence of risk factors for fracture.
Localization of eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin and eosinophil cationic protein in neutrophilic leukocytes

Eosinophil‐derived neurotoxin (EDN) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) are generally regarded as eosinophil‐specific proteins. We tested whether EDN and ECP are present in mature neutrophils. By indirect immunofluorescence, both eosinophils and neutrophils stained with antibodies to EDN and ECP. Lysates of purified (<0.1% eosinophil contamination) neutrophils contained EDN, 112 ± 4 ng/106 cells, and ECP, 163 ± 2 ng/106 cells, whereas eosinophil major basic protein (MBP) was not detectable. Electron microscopic examination of immunogold‐labeled buffy coat cells stained with EDN antibody showed that EDN is localized to neutrophil granules. Finally, EDN mRNA was detected in lysates of highly purified neutrophils (0.001% eosinophil contamination) by the reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. We conclude that proteins that are either identical to or immunologically cross‐reactive with EDN and ECP are present in neutrophils and that EDN is synthesized and localized to neutrophil granules. Thus, caution must be exercised in interpreting the presence of EDN and ECP as specific markers of eosinophil‐associated inflammation in human disease. J. Leukoc. Biol. 63: 715–722; 1998.
Oil sands mining and reclamation cause massive loss of peatland and stored carbon

We quantified the wholesale transformation of the boreal landscape by open-pit oil sands mining in Alberta, Canada to evaluate its effect on carbon storage and sequestration. Contrary to claims made in the media, peatland destroyed by open-pit mining will not be restored. Current plans dictate its replacement with upland forest and tailings storage lakes, amounting to the destruction of over 29,500 ha of peatland habitat. Landscape changes caused by currently approved mines will release between 11.4 and 47.3 million metric tons of stored carbon and will reduce carbon sequestration potential by 5,734–7,241 metric tons C/y. These losses have not previously been quantified, and should be included with the already high estimates of carbon emissions from oil sands mining and bitumen upgrading. A fair evaluation of the costs and benefits of oil sands mining requires a rigorous assessment of impacts on natural capital and ecosystem services.
Glycogen synthase kinase‐3β is critical for Interferon‐α‐induced serotonin uptake in human Jurkat T cells

Dysregulation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)‐3β contributes to the pathophysiology of mood disorders. However, how its regulation is responsible for the functioning of serotonin (5‐HT) requires further investigation. Although enhancement of T‐cell function may present an alternative strategy to treat depression, the precise mechanisms have yet to be established. Our previous studies have found that interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α) up‐regulates serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) expression and induces 5‐HT uptake in T cells. The present study is to examine GSK‐3β regulation on IFN‐α‐induced 5‐HTT functions. GSK‐3β short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) or GSK‐3β inhibitors decreased IFN‐α‐induced 5‐HT uptake and 5‐HTT expression. Src activation and calcium/calcium‐activated calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII) were involved in IFN‐α‐induced phosphorylation of proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) (Tyr402) and GSK‐3β (Tyr216), which regulated 5‐HT uptake. GSK‐3β knockdown blocked the IFN‐α‐induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 (Thr202/Tyr204) and signal transducer and transactivator (STAT) 1. In addition to inhibiting ERK, a selective 5‐HTT inhibitor fluoxetine blocked IFN‐α‐induced activations of Src, CaMKII‐regulated Pyk2/GSK‐3β cascade, as well as STAT1 activation and translocation. These results indicated that calcium/CaMKII‐ and Src‐regulated Pyk2 participated in IFN‐α‐induced GSK‐3β activation and GSK‐3β‐regulated 5‐HT uptake. GSK‐3β signaling facilitated IFN‐α‐activated STAT1 by regulating ERK1/2, which controlled 5‐HT uptake. Fluoxetine interfered with the Pyk2/GSK‐3β cascade, thereby inhibiting IFN‐α‐induced 5‐HT uptake. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2556–2566, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Head trauma in primary cranial dystonias: a multicentre case–control study

Background: The relationship between prior trauma and primary adult-onset dystonia is not well understood. Previous uncontrolled observations and exploratory case–control studies have yielded contradictory results. Objective: To analyse the association between cranial dystonia and prior head trauma. Methods: An ad hoc multicentre case–control study was performed using a semistructured interview to collect detailed information on the history of head trauma before disease onset in five Italian tertiary referral centres for movement disorders. The presence of a history of head trauma and of post-traumatic sequelae (loss of consciousness, bone fractures, scalp/facial wounds) before disease onset was recorded from 177 patients with primary adult-onset cranial dystonia and from 217 controls with primary hemifacial spasm matched by age strata and sex. Differences between groups were assessed by Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test, and the relationship between prior head trauma and case/control status was analysed by multivariate logistic regression models. Results: No association was found between vault/maxillofacial trauma and cranial dystonia. Most reported traumas occurred several years before disease onset. None of the main post-traumatic sequelae altered the chance of developing cranial dystonia compared with patients with primary hemifacial spasm, nor did head trauma modify the age at onset of cranial dystonia. Conclusions: These results do not support prior head trauma as a possible environmental factor modifying the risk of developing late-onset cranial dystonia. The lack of association may have pathogenetic and medical–forensic implications.