Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Repeated lysergic acid diethylamide in an animal model of depression: Normalisation of learning behaviour and hippocampal serotonin 5-HT2 signalling

A re-balance of postsynaptic serotonin (5-HT) receptor signalling, with an increase in 5-HT1A and a decrease in 5-HT2A signalling, is a final common pathway multiple antidepressants share. Given that the 5-HT1A/2A agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), when repeatedly applied, selectively downregulates 5-HT2A, but not 5-HT1A receptors, one might expect LSD to similarly re-balance the postsynaptic 5-HT signalling. Challenging this idea, we use an animal model of depression specifically responding to repeated antidepressant treatment (olfactory bulbectomy), and test the antidepressant-like properties of repeated LSD treatment (0.13 mg/kg/d, 11 d). In line with former findings, we observe that bulbectomised rats show marked deficits in active avoidance learning. These deficits, similarly as we earlier noted with imipramine, are largely reversed by repeated LSD administration. Additionally, bulbectomised rats exhibit distinct anomalies of monoamine receptor signalling in hippocampus and/or frontal cortex; from these, only the hippocampal decrease in 5-HT2 related [35S]-GTP-gamma-S binding is normalised by LSD. Importantly, the sham-operated rats do not profit from LSD, and exhibit reduced hippocampal 5-HT2 signalling. As behavioural deficits after bulbectomy respond to agents classified as antidepressants only, we conclude that the effect of LSD in this model can be considered antidepressant-like, and discuss it in terms of a re-balance of hippocampal 5-HT2/5-HT1A signalling.
Seasonal variation and spatial distribution of carbonaceous aerosols in Taiwan

Abstract. To investigate the physico-chemical properties of aerosols in Taiwan, an observation network was initiated in 2003. In this work, the measurements of the mass concentration and carbonaceous composition of PM10 and PM2.5 are presented. Analysis on the data collected in the first 5-years, from 2003 to 2007, showed that there was a very strong contrast in the aerosol concentration and composition between the rural and the urban/suburban stations. The five-year means of EC at the respective stations ranged from 0.9±0.04 to 4.2±0.1 μgC m−3. In rural areas, EC accounted for 2–3% of PM10 and 3–5% of PM2.5 mass loadings, comparing to 4–6% of PM10 and 4–8% of PM2.5 in the urban areas. It was found that the spatial distribution of EC was consistent with CO and NOx across the network stations, suggesting that the levels of EC over Taiwan were dominated by local sources. The measured OC was split into POC and SOC counterparts following the EC tracer method. Five-year means of POC ranged from 1.8±0.1 to 9.7±0.2 μgC m−3 among the stations. It was estimated that the POM contributed 5–17% of PM10 and 7–18% of PM2.5 in Taiwan. On the other hand, the five-year means of SOC ranged from 1.5±0.1 to 3.8±. 3 μgC m−3. The mass fractions of SOM were estimated to be 9–19% in PM10 and 14–22% in PM2.5. The results showed that the SOC did not exhibit significant urban-rural contrast as did the POC and EC. A significant cross-station correlation between SOC and total oxidant was observed, which means the spatial distribution of SOC in Taiwan was dominated by the oxidant mixing ratio. Besides, correlation was also found between SOC and particulate nitrate, implying that the precursors of SOA were mainly from local anthropogenic sources. In addition to the spatial distribution, the carbonaceous aerosols also exhibited distinct seasonality. In northern Taiwan, the concentrations of all the three carbonaceous components (EC, POC, and SOC) reached their respective minima in the fall season. POC and EC increased drastically in winter and peaked in spring, whereas the SOC was characterized by a bimodal pattern with the maximal concentration in winter and a second mode in summertime. In southern Taiwan, minimal levels of POC and EC occurred consistently in summer and the maxima were observed in winter, whereas the SOC peaked in summer and declined in wintertime. The discrepancies in the seasonality of carbonaceous aerosols between northern and southern Taiwan were most likely caused by the seasonal meteorological settings that dominated the dispersion of air pollutants. Moreover, it was inferred that the Asian pollution outbreaks could have shifted the seasonal maxima of air pollutants from winter to spring in the northern Taiwan, and that the increases in biogenic SOA precursors and the enhancement in SOA yield were responsible for the elevated SOC concentrations in summer.
Smooth Path or Long and Winding Road?: How Institutions Shape the Transition From Higher Education to Work

Das englischsprachige Buch untersucht den Ubergang von der Hochschule in den Arbeitsmarkt in Deutschland und Grosbritannien und fragt, wie dieser durch nationale Institutionen beeinflusst wird. Fur beide Landern werden vier institutionelle Bereiche detailliert untersucht: die Struktur des Hochschulsystems, die Berufsspezifitat des Hochschulstudiums, die Struktur des Akademikerarbeitsmarktes sowie die Regulierung des Arbeitsmarktes im Allgemeinen. Durch den Vergleich des Arbeitsmarkteintritts von Hochschulabsolvent/innen wahrend der ersten funf Jahre nach Abschluss kann gezeigt werden, dass diese institutionellen Bereiche tatsachlich einen Einfluss haben: In Deutschland verlauft der Ubergang geradlinig, wahrend Hochschulabsolvent/innen in Grosbritannien erst uber Umwege in ahnlichen Positionen ankommen wie deutsche Studierende. Aufbauend auf seinen theoretischen Ausfuhrungen und empirischen Untersuchungen leistet das Buch einen Beitrag zum besseren Verstandnis der Verbindung zwischen Hochschule und Arbeitsmarkt im internationalen Vergleich. (Verlag)
Kinetic and morphologic alterations in the colon of a patient with multiple polyposis

The histologic and proliferative characteristics of 16 colonic biopsies taken from an operative specimen of a 38‐year‐old female patient with multiple polyposis are presented. Kinetic measurements are based on 3HTdR incorporation accomplished in vitro, using both single and double labelling techniques. Epithelial cells in adenomatous tissue were more actively engaged in DNA synthesis than those normal‐appearing mucosa (L.I. 13.0 ± 6.9 versus 9.3 ± 1.6); however, because of extreme variability between biopsies, the difference was not significant. No difference in S phase duration was found, but a faster turnover time (Tg) than that in the normal appearing colonic mucosa was estimated (Tg 52.6 hours versus 74.2 hours).
Factors That Impact Consumers' Intention to Shop on Foreign Online Stores

Cross-border e-commerce has been rapidly expanding. However, little research has been done to investigate how consumers decide to shop across national borders. This study aims to explore the factors that impact consumers’ intention to shop on foreign websites. A conceptual model is developed from the perspectives of consumer perceived trust and value. We also examine the effects of vendors’ signaling on perceived trust, as well as the effects of benefits and costs on perceived value. This study conducts an online survey to test the research model. Our findings can help researchers and practitioners understand the barriers to cross-border e-commerce and devise strategies to overcome these barriers.
Control of transmission of HIV and other bloodborne pathogens in biomechanical cadaveric testing

The Bioengineering Center at Wayne State University uses universal blood and body fluid precautions when handling human cadavers in bio‐mechanical testing. Our infection control protocol largely follows the precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In addition, we screen each cadaver for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) before accepting a cadaver for biomechanical tests. This paper discusses acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and infection control guidelines by addressing the following: (a) what is AIDS? (b) How infectious is the HIV virus, which causes AIDS? (c) What precautions should be taken in cadaveric testing to safeguard against HIV and other bloodborne pathogens? The infection control procedures presented in this paper can be adapted to whole‐body cadaveric testing or to the testing of tissue specimens.
Scaled Boundary Finite Element Analysis of three-dimensional crack configurations in laminate structures

Laminate structures composed of fibre-reinforced plies typically are prone to the formation of inter-fiber cracks because of the given strongly anisotropic stiffness and strength properties. These inter-fiber cracks commonly run through complete plies but are stopped at the ply interfaces. Equally, such laminate structures are prone to the formation of delaminations, e.g. due to the free-edge effect. An inter-fiber crack meeting a delamination forms a non-standard three-dimensional crack configuration with a locally singular stress field that should be investigated in regard of its criticality. For that purpose, the Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method turns out to be an appropriate and effective analysis method that permits solving linear elastic mechanical problems including stress singularities with comparably little effort. Only the boundary is discretized by two-dimensional finite elements while the problem is considered analytically in the direction of the dimensionless radial coordinate ξ. A corresponding separation of variables representation for the displacement field employed in the virtual work equation leads to a system of differential equations of Cauchy-Euler type. This differential equation system can be converted into an eigenvalue problem and solved by standard eigenvalue solvers for non-symmetric matrices. By this kind of analysis, it is revealed that the considered three-dimensional crack configurations may go along with various unexpected non-standard stress singularities, namely singularities that are weaker than the well-known square root stress singularity in linear elastic fracture mechanics, but also singularities that are stronger and which may be called hypersingularities.
Regulation of VEGF-A in uveal melanoma.

PURPOSE Blood vessels are important constituents of intraocular uveal melanoma (UM), but whether angiogenesis is regulated by environmental factors such as ischemia or by genetic mechanisms is not known. This study was undertaken to examine the regulation of the proangiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A). METHODS Cell lines and primary tumors were tested for expression of VEGF-A, under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, using quantitative PCR, ELISA, WST-1 viability, and in-cell Western experiments. VEGF-A serum levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS Hypoxia induced expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF-A in UM cell lines and primary tumor cultures, but it did not influence proliferation. VEGF-A expression in primary tumors was variable, demonstrating no correlation with specific histologic markers or prognosis. However, VEGF-A levels were significantly raised in UM patients with metastases compared with those without metastases (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS VEGF-A expression by UM cells is mainly controlled by hypoxia and involves the HIF-1alpha pathway, thus indicating an important role for the tumor cell environment. Metastases led to increased serum VEGF-A levels, indicating that VEGF-A may be involved in the growth of metastases.
Epidural morphine and detomidine decreases postoperative hindlimb lameness in horses after bilateral stifle arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether preoperative epidural administration of morphine and detomidine would decrease postoperative lameness after bilateral stifle arthroscopy in horses. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical controlled study. ANIMALS Eight adult horses that had bilateral arthroscopic procedures, including drilling of cartilage and subchondral bone within the femoropatellar joints. METHODS Horses were randomly separated into 2 groups. Preoperatively, 4 horses were administered a combination of epidural morphine (0.2 mg/kg) and detomidine (30 microg/kg), and 4 horses were administered an equivalent volume of epidural saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Postoperative pain was assessed using 6 video recordings made at hourly intervals of each horse at a walk. Assessments began 1 hour after recovery from anesthesia. The recordings were scrambled out of sequence and evaluated by 3 observers, unaware of treatment groups, who scored lameness from 0 to 4. Lameness scores of the 2 groups of horses were compared using a Wilcoxon's rank sum test. Heart and respiratory rates were also measured at each hourly interval and compared between groups using a repeated-measures ANOVA; statistical significance was set at P <. 05. RESULTS Preoperative administration of epidural morphine and detomidine significantly decreased lameness and heart rates after bilateral stifle arthroscopy. The greatest decrease was detected at hours 1 and 2 after recovery from anesthesia. CONCLUSION We conclude that horses undergoing a painful arthroscopic procedure of the stifle joint benefit from the administration of preoperative epidural morphine and detomidine. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Preoperative epidural administration of detomidine and morphine may be useful in decreasing postoperative pain after stifle arthroscopy as well as pain associated with other painful disorders involving the stifle joint, such as septic arthritis and trauma.
Lock-free incremental coordinate descent

We study a flexible algorithm for minimizing a sum of component functions, each of which depends on a large number of decision variables. The algorithm combines aspects of incremental gradient method with that of coordinate descent. In contrast to earlier algorithms of this kind, our algorithm is lock-free and does not require synchronization of access to the shared memory. We prove convergence of the algorithm under asynchronous operation and provide explicit bounds on how the solution times depend on the degree of asynchrony. Numerical experiments confirm our theoretical results.
Manipulation of cadmium selenide nanorods with an atomic force microscope

We have used an atomic force microscope (AFM) to manipulate and study ligand-capped cadmium selenide nanorods deposited on highly oriented pyrolitic graphite (HOPG). The AFM tip was used to manipulate (i.e., translate and rotate) the nanorods by applying a force perpendicular to the nanorod axis. The manipulation result was shown to depend on the point of impact of the AFM tip with the nanorod and whether the nanorod had been manipulated previously. Forces applied parallel to the nanorod axis, however, did not give rise to manipulation. These results are interpreted by considering the atomic-scale interactions of the HOPG substrate with the organic ligands surrounding the nanorods. The vertical deflection of the cantilever was recorded during manipulation and was combined with a model in order to estimate the value of the horizontal force between the tip and nanorod during manipulation. This horizontal force is estimated to be on the order of a few tens of nN.
Certain subclasses of bi-univalent functions associated with the Hohlov operator

In this paper, we introduce and investigate two new subclasses of the function class of bi-univalent functions defined in the open unit disk, which are associated with the Hohlovoperator, that is, a familiar special case of the widely- (and extensively-) investigated Dziok-Srivastava linear operator. Furthermore, we find estimates on the Taylor-Maclaurin coefficients|a_2| and |a_3| for functions in these new subclasses. Several (known or new) consequences of theresults are also pointed out.
Rectal cancer staging: Correlation between the evaluation with radial echoendoscope and rigid linear probe

Background and Objectives: The National Cancer Institute estimated 40,340 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States in 2013. The correct staging of rectal cancer is fundamental for appropriate treatment of this disease. Transrectal ultrasound is considered one of the best methods for locoregional staging of rectal tumors, both radial echoendoscope and rigid linear probes are used to perform these procedures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the correlation between radial echoendoscopy and rigid linear endosonography for staging rectal cancer. Patients and Methods: A prospective analysis of 48 patients who underwent both, radial echoendoscopy and rigid linear endosonography, between April 2009 and May 2011, was done. Patients were staged according to the degree of tumor invasion (T) and lymph node involvement (N), as classified by the American Joint Committee on Cancer. Anatomopathological staging of surgical specimen was the gold standard for discordant evaluations. The analysis of concordance was made using Kappa index. Results: The general Kappa index for T staging was 0.827, with general P < 0.001 (confidence interval [CI]: 95% 0.627-1). The general Kappa index for N staging was 0.423, with general P < 0.001 (CI: 95% 0.214-0.632). Conclusion: The agreement between methods for T staging was almost perfect, with a worse outcome for T2, but still with substantial agreement. The findings may indicate equivalence in the diagnostic value of both flexible and rigid devices. For lymph node staging, there was moderate agreement between the methods.
Comparison of strategies for assessing nutritional adequacy in elite female athletes' dietary intake.

PURPOSE This study aimed to compare strategies for assessing nutritional adequacy in the dietary intake of elite female athletes. METHODS Dietary intake was assessed using an adapted food-frequency questionnaire in 72 elite female athletes from a variety of sports. Nutritional adequacy was evaluated and compared using mean intake; the proportion of participants with intakes below Australian nutrient reference values (NRV), U.S. military dietary reference intakes (MDRI), and current sports nutrition recommendations; and probability estimates of nutrient inadequacy. RESULTS Mean energy intake was 10,551 +/- 3,836 kJ/day with macronutrient distribution 18% protein, 31% fat, and 46% carbohydrate, consistent with Australian acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges. Mean protein intake (1.6 g . kg(-1) . d(-1)) was consistent with (>1.2 g . kg(-1) . d(-1)), and carbohydrate intake (4.5 g . kg(-1) . d(-1)), below, current sports nutrition recommendations (>5 g . kg(-1) . d(-1)), with 30% and 65% of individuals not meeting these levels, respectively. Mean micronutrient intake met the relevant NRV and MDRI except for vitamin D and folate. A proportion of participants failed to meet the estimated average requirement for folate (48%), calcium (24%), magnesium (19%), and iron (4%). Probability estimates of inadequacy identified intake of folate (44%), calcium (22%), iron (19%), and magnesium (15%) as inadequate. CONCLUSION Interpretation of dietary adequacy is complex and varies depending on whether the mean, proportion of participants below the relevant NRV, or statistical probability estimate of inadequacy is used. Further research on methods to determine dietary adequacy in athlete populations is required.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Pregabalin has been used as an adjunct for the management of acute pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This meta-analysis aimed to illustrate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin for pain management following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: In March 2017, a systematic computer-based search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google databases. Data on patients prepared for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in studies that compared pregabalin versus placebo were retrieved. The primary endpoints were the visual analog scale (VAS) score with rest or mobilization at 6, 12, and 24hours and total morphine consumption. The secondary outcomes were the morphine-related complications (i.e., nausea, vomiting, dizziness, somnolence, headache, pruritus, urine retention, respiratory depression, and blurred vision). Continuous outcomes were expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), and discontinuous outcomes were expressed as a risk ratio (RR) with a corresponding 95% CI. Results: Twelve clinical studies with 938 patients (gabapentin group=536, control group=402) were ultimately included in the meta-analysis. Pregabalin was associated with reduced pain scores with rest at 6, 12, and 24hours, which corresponded to a reduction of 11.27 points at 6hours, 9.46 points at 12hours, and 3.99 points at 24hours on a 100-point VAS. Moreover, pregabalin was associated with reduced pain scores with mobilization at 6, 12, and 24hours, which corresponded to a reduction of 8.74 points, 5.80 points and 6.37 points at 6, 12, and 24hours, respectively, on a 110-point VAS. Furthermore, pregabalin reduced the occurrence of nausea and vomiting. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of respiratory depression, pruritus, dizziness, blurred vision, and headache. Conclusions: Pregabalin was efficacious in the reduction of postoperative pain, total morphine consumption, and morphinerelated complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In addition, a high dose of pregabalin was more effective than a low dose. The dose of pregabalin differed across the studies, and the heterogeneity was large. More studies are needed to verify the optimal dose of pregabalin in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients. Abbreviations: CI = confidence interval, RR = risk ratio, NNH = number needed to harm, NNT = number need to treat, NRS = numerical rating scale, PRISMA = preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses, RCTs = randomized controlled trials, SD = standard deviation, VAS = visual analog scale, WMD = weighted mean differences.
An Incremental Multicast Grouping Scheme for mmWave Networks with Directional Antennas

In millimeter wave wireless networks with directional antennas, the design of efficient multicast communications is one of the most challenging issues. In this letter, we propose an incremental multicast grouping (IMG) scheme where adaptive beamwidths are generated depending on the locations of multicast devices to maximize the sum rate of devices. We develop a simulator based on the IEEE 802.11ad MAC protocol. Simulation results demonstrate that the IMG scheme can improve the overall throughput by 28% to 79% compared with the conventional multicast schemes.
The use of compressed height to estimate the yield of a differently fertilized meadow

Cudlín O. , Hakl J., Hejcman M. , Cudlín P. (2018): The use of compressed height to estimate the yield of a differently fertilized meadow. Plant Soil Environ. , 64: 76–81. Monitoring of grassland dry matter yield (DMY) is important for the economy and ecosystem management, but it is a time-consuming process. Calculating the correlation between compressed height (CH) and DMY is a faster way to estimate DMY. The aim of our study was to use CH in order to predict DMY for a meadow with different fertilization management and plant species composition. Four fertilization treatments and one unfertilized control were established in a mesophilic meadow in the Czech Republic. Using a rising plate meter (RPM), CH was measured before the first and second cuts. In addition, the cover of individual vascular plant species was estimated. Significant correlations between CH and DMY were ranging from 0.41 to 0.79 for treatments without nitrogen fertilization in the first and second cuts; for treatments with nitrogen fertilization there was a significant correlation only in the second cut. According to our results, the RPM method seems to be suitable for a rough DMY estimate for meadows with coverage of about 60% grasses, 10% legumes and 30% forbs. However, considerable changes in the cover of tall forbs (e.g. Urtica dioica L.) or tall grasses (e.g. Dactylis glomerata L.) could be the main sources of DMY estimation inaccuracy.