Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of combined treatment with imipramine and amantadine on the behavioral reactivity of central &agr;1-adrenergic system in rats

The problem of drug-resistant depression implies a strong need for alternative antidepressant therapies. Recently, it has been shown that joint administration of a tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine (IMI), with amantadine (AMA), a drug already approved for clinical use in the treatment of other diseases, induces a stronger ‘antidepressant’ effect in the forced swimming test in rats than treatment with either drug given separately. Combined treatment with IMI and AMA also induces up-regulation of dopamine D2 and D3 receptors in the rat brain, and appears to be effective in the treatment of patients with drug-resistant unipolar depression. In the present study, we examined the effect of IMI (5 or 10 mg/kg p.o.) and AMA (10 mg/kg p.o.) given separately or jointly, either as a single dose or repeatedly (twice daily for 14 days) on the development of adaptive changes in the behavioral reactivity of the central &agr;1-adrenergic system. Following repeated administration of the higher dose of IMI together with AMA, we observed an increase in clonidine-induced aggression in mice, and significant enhancement of D-amphetamine-induced locomotor hyperactivity, as well as phenylephrine-induced exploratory behavior, in rats. In binding studies using [3H]prazosin, no changes in the density (Bmax) or affinity (Kd) of &agr;1-adrenergic receptors were observed in rat brain cortex. However, competition analysis allowed us to observe an increase in the affinity of &agr;1-adrenergic receptors (Ki) for an agonist (phenylephrine) upon repeated treatment with IMI, given alone or in combination with AMA. AMA appears to act through several pharmacological mechanisms, none of which has been identified as the chief mode of action. In the light of data obtained in the present study, one can supplement the postulated mechanisms of antidepressant action of AMA by adaptive changes in the reactivity of &agr;1-adrenergic receptors, which develop upon repeated combined treatment with IMI.
New species and new records of freshwater ascomycetes from Brazil and Costa Rica

During independent surveys for freshwater ascomycetes in Brazil and Costa Rica, two new species, Torrentispora pilosa and Vertexicola ascoliberatus, and nine previously described species were recovered. Among the described species, Annulatascus biatriisporus, Anthostomella aquatica, Tamsiniella labiosa and Torrentispora crassiparietis are reported for the first time from the western hemisphere, Aniptodera chesapeakensis, Chaetosphaeria lignomollis and Jahnula seychellensis are new records for South America and Annulatascus velatisporus and Ophioceras venezuelensis are reported for the first time for Brazil. The description of the genus Torrentispora is emended to accommodate T. pilosa. The new species are described and illustrated and a brief description is provided for all new records.
Trench motion‐controlled slab morphology and stress variations: Implications for the isolated 2015 Bonin Islands deep earthquake

The subducted old and cold Pacific Plate beneath the young Philippine Sea Plate at the Izu‐Bonin trench over the Cenozoic hosts regional deep earthquakes. We investigate slab morphology and stress regimes under different trench motion histories with mantle convection models. Viscosity, temperature, and deviatoric stress are inherently heterogeneous within the slab, which we link to the occurrence of isolated earthquakes. Models expand on previous suggestions that observed slab morphology variations along the Izu‐Bonin subduction zone, exhibited as shallow slab dip angles in the north and steeper dip angles in the south, are mainly due to variations in the rate of trench retreat from the north (where it is fast) to the south (where it is slow). Geodynamic models consistent with the regional plate tectonics, including oceanic plate age, plate convergence rate, and trench motion history, reproduce the seismologically observed principal stress direction and slab morphology. We suggest that the isolated ~680 km deep, 30 May 2015 Mw 7.9 Bonin Islands earthquake, which lies east of the well‐defined Benioff zone and has its principal compressional stress direction oriented toward the tip of the previously defined Benioff zone, can be explained by Pacific slab buckling in response to the slow trench retreat.
Social Representation of Cyberbullying and Adolescent Suicide: A Mixed-Method Analysis of News Stories

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying has provoked public concern after well-publicized suicides of adolescents. This mixed-methods study investigates the social representation of these suicides. A content analysis of 184 U.S. newspaper articles on death by suicide associated with cyberbullying or aggression found that few articles adhered to guidelines suggested by the World Health Organization and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to protect against suicidal behavioral contagion. Few articles made reference to suicide or bullying prevention resources, and most suggested that the suicide had a single cause. Thematic analysis of a subset of articles found that individual deaths by suicide were used as cautionary tales to prompt attention to cyberbullying. This research suggests that newspaper coverage of these events veers from evidence-based guidelines and that more work is needed to determine how best to engage with journalists about the potential consequences of cyberbullying and suicide coverage.
A free lunch with robots – can a basic income stabilise the digital economy?

The discussion on the possible implications of the digital economy for labour continues unabated. An essential dimension of the discussion is the widely shared view that a basic income could guarantee sufficient purchasing power for unemployed, underemployed and precarious workers should technological unemployment and labour market insecurity increase. A budget-neutral basic income has serious limitations as an economic stabilisation grant, but if financing proposals are revised, these limitations can be tackled. Even though guaranteeing sufficient purchasing power for unemployed, underemployed and precarious workers does not necessarily require an unconditional universal benefit, it seems clear that traditional activation based on strict means-testing and obligations will not be a strategy flexible enough to guarantee sufficient consumer demand in fluctuating labour markets. An economically sustainable solution might be to reduce means-testing gradually and to study carefully the effects.
The effect of ketamine on clinical endpoints of hypnosis and EEG variables during propofol infusion

Background: We studied the effect of variable doses of ketamine on the endpoints of hypnosis, e.g., unresponsiveness to verbal commands (UVC), loss of eyelash reflex (LER), and inhibition of body movement response with or without sneezing to nasal membrane stimulation (INBMR), and processed EEG variables, e.g., bispectral index (BIS), 95% spectral edge frequency (SEF) and median frequency (MF) during propofol infusion.
Foreign Aid and responsiveness of bilateral refugee inflows

This paper tests the effects of Aid from 14 OECD donor economies on bilateral asylum seeker inflows from 113 developing countries during 1993-2013. Results are that Aid affects asylum seeker inflows nonlinearly in the pc income of the origin country, in a U shaped fashion, with a turning point at 9,150 pcGDP, PPP2011$. Aid has also cross-donor negative spillovers and regional effects. Overall, deterring effects concern especially Sub Saharan countries. Moreover, Aid does not influence bilateral voluntary migration. Making Aid transfers conditional on improvements in political and economic institutions in recipient countries can strengthen their effects on asylum seeker inflows.
Impact of State Public Health Spending on Disease Incidence in the United States from 1980 to 2009

Objective. To understand the relationship between state‐level spending by public health departments and the incidence of three vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs): mumps, pertussis, and rubella in the United States from 1980 to 2009. Data Sources. This study uses state‐level public health spending data from The Census Bureau and annual mumps, pertussis, and rubella incidence counts from the University of Pittsburgh's project Tycho. Study Design. Ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effects, and random effects regression models were tested, with results indicating that a fixed effects model would be most appropriate model for this analysis. Principal Findings. Model output suggests a statistically significant, negative relationship between public health spending and mumps and rubella incidence. Lagging outcome variables indicate that public health spending actually has the greatest impact on VPD incidence in subsequent years, rather than the year in which the spending occurred. Results were robust to models with lagged spending variables, national time trends, and state time trends, as well as models with and without Medicaid and hospital spending. Conclusion. Our analysis indicates that there is evidence of a significant, negative relationship between a state's public health spending and the incidence of two VPDs, mumps and rubella, in the United States.
The Effect of Restatements on Analyst Behavior

This paper examines how changes in the credibility of financial reporting affect analyst behavior. Using a sample of restatement firms experiencing a substantial change in credibility over 1997–2006, we document that restatements have a long-lived effect on analyst behavior and that analysts differentiate between restatements caused by irregularities and those caused by errors. We find that while irregularity restatement firms exhibit a reduction in analyst coverage and forecast accuracy and an increase in forecast dispersion in the post-restatement period, other restatement firms exhibit only an increase in forecast error. Finally, we find evidence to suggest that remedial actions reduce the effect of irregularity restatements on analyst behavior. Overall, these results are consistent with the notion that restatements affect analyst behavior in forming judgements regarding subsequent earnings announcements.
Effects of South African Monetary Policy Implementation on the CMA: A Panel Vector Autoregression Approach

The paper investigates the effects of South African monetary policy implementation on selected macroeconomic variables in the rest of the Common Monetary Area (CMA) looking specifically at the response of a shock to South African key interest rate (repo rate) on macroeconomic variables such as the regional lending rates, interest rate spread, private sector credit, money supply, inflation and economic growth in the rest of the CMA countries. The analysis is conducted using impulse-response functions derived from Panel Vector Autoregression (PVAR) methodology. The estimates are conducted using annual data for a panel of four CMA countries for the period 1980 â€“ 2012. The results show that a positive shock to South African repo rate significantly affects lending rates, inflation and economic growth in the entire CMA countries. South African repo rate has more impact on lending rates in the entire CMA. This is then followed by the impact on inflation and then economic growth.
Effects of Customary Law in Widows’ Inheritance Rights to Matrimonial Properties at Ruanda Ward in Mbeya City, Tanzania

This study investigated the effects of customary law on widows‟ inheritance rights in matrimonial properties. The study sampled a total of 120 respondents using simple random, purposive and snow ball sampling techniques. Data were collected using questionnaires on a face to face, interview, observation and documentary reviews Data analysis was done using SPSS version 16 for thematic analysis of quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Results indicated that social effects included the loss of friends and social support (39.1%), lack of respect among relatives (58.4%) and stigmatization especially by men (65.9%). Also, it was observed that, economic effects included poverty (75%), disinheritance of matrimonial properties (68.4%), property grabbing by relatives (75.9%) and loss of home asserts (19.1%). The study concludes that the effects occurred because of the customary laws were ineffective in protecting widows‟ inheritance rights and matrimonial properties. It is therefore recommended that, there is a need to create widow related law groups, translate the existing customary laws into Swahili and conduct seminars and workshops that create awareness on the applicability of various customary laws geared at protecting widows‟ inheritance rights in matrimonial properties.
Prevalence, incidence and correlates of HHV-8/KSHV infection and Kaposi's sarcoma in renal and liver transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND To determine whether the incidence of HHV-8/KSHV infection and the risk of developing KS among organ transplant recipients differ by type of organ transplanted, we calculated the rate of HHV-8/KSHV seroconversion and the risk of developing KS among renal and liver transplant recipients. METHODS The study population consisted of renal and liver transplant recipients recruited in two transplant centres in Rome, Italy. Both pre-transplant and post-transplant serum samples were available for all participants. The prevalence of HHV-8/KSHV infection before transplantation was calculated. To determine risk factors for infection, we calculated ORs and 95% CI. Seroconversion rates (i.e. attack rates) after transplantation were also calculated. Differences in attack rates were calculated using a binomial test for proportions. RESULTS Of the 130 participants, 21 (16.1%) were HHV-8/KSHV-positive before transplantation. Women were more likely to be infected than men, whereas no difference was observed by type of organ transplanted. Of the 109 initially negative individuals, 13 (11.9%) developed anti-HHV-8/KSHV antibodies after transplantation. The incidence of HHV-8/KSHV infection tended to be higher among liver transplant recipients. Four renal transplant recipients and none of the liver transplant recipients developed KS after transplantation. The risk of KS was higher among recipients who were already HHV-8/KSHV-positive before transplantation. CONCLUSIONS HHV-8/KSHV seroconversion rates appear to be higher among liver transplant recipients, compared to renal transplant recipients. However, renal transplant recipients tend to have a higher risk of KS. HHV-8/KSHV reactivation appears to play a greater role on the risk of KS than incident infections.
Multi-parameter spectral inversion for GPR signals of subsurface layered media

A frequency-domain spectral inversion algorithm is derived and verified in this paper, using which underground reflective surfaces' positions as well as each layer's thickness, dielectric permittivity and electric conductivity can be obtained simultaneously. Generalized reflection coefficients are first defined according to the transmission pattern of electromagnetic (EM) wave in subsurface layered media. With a three-layer model considered, the coefficients of each reflective surface are decomposed into even and odd component. Before inversion is carried out, a cost function is established to connect spectral of reflection coefficients and layer's parameters. Only with correct parameters, can the spectral be rightly synthesized and the cost function will be minimized. In order to solve this non-linear optimization problem, a modified Stochastic Hill-climbing Algorithm (SHA) is applied. Since more reliable initial parameter vector can greatly improve inversion efficiency and result accuracy, new strategies are adopted to decide the first vector. The first parameters are calculated step by step according to their different effects on coefficients spectral. Only part of the parameters is involved during each step, which makes the procedure very fast. The algorithm is applied on simulated data of a wedge model first, whose result suggests that accurate parameters can still be expected when thickness of the layer is less than tuning thickness and iteration times are also greatly reduced compared with that of inversion using initial vector with random parameters. At the end, a set of data coming from a highway GPR detection are used to test the algorithm and the result is also promising.
Sex differences in the relation between body mass index and asthma and atopy in a birth cohort.

RATIONALE Several studies have identified an association between asthma and obesity in women. It remains unclear if this association is due to genuine asthma or to symptoms caused by overweight, at what age the association develops, and whether it is confined to females. OBJECTIVE To explore the relations between body mass index, asthma, and atopy in a birth cohort of approximately 1,000 individuals. METHODS Information on asthma and measurements of lung function, airway responsiveness, and atopy were obtained on multiple occasions between ages 9 and 26. Associations between these outcomes and body mass index were analyzed using generalized mixed linear regression models. Further analyses adjusted for potential covariates including breastfeeding, birth order, parental asthma, and personal and family smoking history. MAIN RESULTS Body mass index was positively associated with asthma, wheeze, asthma treatment, atopy, immunoglobulin E, and inversely with the FEV(1)/FVC ratio in females. There was no significant association with airway responsiveness to methacholine or salbutamol. There was little evidence of an association between body mass index and asthma or atopy in males. Analyses adjusting for potential covariates showed similar findings. Asthma was not associated with a raised body mass index in childhood and childhood asthma did not lead to being overweight as an adult. CONCLUSIONS A raised body mass index is associated with asthma and atopy in women but not men. Population attributable fraction calculations estimate that 28% (95% confidence interval 7-45) of asthma developing in women after age 9 is due to overweight.
Protein kinase B (AKT1) genotype mediates sensitivity to cannabis-induced impairments in psychomotor control

Background. What determines inter-individual variability to impairments in behavioural control that may underlie road-traffic accidents, and impulsive and violent behaviours occurring under the influence of cannabis, the most widely used illicit drug worldwide? Method. Employing a double-blind, repeated-measures design, we investigated the genetic and neural basis of variable sensitivity to cannabis-induced behavioural dyscontrol in healthy occasional cannabis users. Acute oral challenge with placebo or Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, was combined with functional magnetic resonance imaging, while participants performed a response inhibition task that involved inhibiting a pre-potent motor response. They were genotyped for rs1130233 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the protein kinase B (AKT1) gene. Results. Errors of inhibition were significantly (p = 0.008) increased following administration of THC in carriers of the A allele, but not in G allele homozygotes of the AKT1 rs1130233 SNP. The A allele carriers also displayed attenuation of left inferior frontal response with THC evident in the sample as a whole, while there was a modest enhancement of inferior frontal activation in the G homozygotes. There was a direct relationship (r = − 0.327, p = 0.045) between the behavioural effect of THC and its physiological effect in the inferior frontal gyrus, where AKT1 genotype modulated the effect of THC. Conclusions. These results require independent replication and show that differing vulnerability to acute psychomotor impairments induced by cannabis depends on variation in a gene that influences dopamine function, and is mediated through modulation of the effect of cannabis on the inferior frontal cortex, that is rich in dopaminergic innervation and critical for psychomotor control.
The Oral Core Vocabulary of Typically Developing English-Speaking School-Aged Children: Implications for AAC Practice

Abstract This study analyzes the core vocabulary used by typically developing school-aged English-speaking children in the United States while participating in a variety of school activities. The language of typically developing children, some of whom spoke English as a second language was recorded, transcribed and analyzed to identify the most frequently used words across samples. An inventory of oral core vocabulary of typically developing school-aged children resulted from this analysis. This inventory can be used as a source list for vocabulary selection for school-aged children with AAC needs. Implications for vocabulary selection are discussed.
RESEARCH, PRODUCTIVITY, AND OUTPUT GROWTH IN U.S. AGRICULTURE

Abstract This article reviews the current debate on whether U.S. agricultural productivity growth is slowing. It also assesses recent research on how productivity is related to long-term investment in research and development (R&D). It describes significant changes taking place in the U.S. agricultural research system, including the growing role of private agribusiness as a main developer of new agricultural technologies and what this implies for agricultural science policy. The conclusion has suggestions for future research on these issues.
Melatonin reduces ischemia/reperfusion‐induced superoxide generation in arterial wall and cell death in skeletal muscle

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of melatonin on superoxide generation in arterial wall at an early phase of reperfusion and on endothelial dysfunction of microvasculature and cell viability of cremaster muscle at late phase of reperfusion (24 hr) after prolonged ischemia. Bilateral vascular pedicles which supply blood flow to the cremaster muscle were exposed. After surgical preparation, microvascular clamps were applied on the right iliac, femoral and spermatic arteries to create 4 hr of ischemia in both feeding vessels and the unexposed cremaster muscle. The vascular clamping was omitted on the left iliac, femoral and spermatic arteries and served as an internal control. Melatonin or Vehicle was via by intravenous injection at 10 min prior to reperfusion and 10 min after reperfusion. In the first experiment, the vascular pedicle was harvested after reperfusion to measure superoxide generation in real time by lucigenin‐derived chemiluminescence. In the second experiment, endothelial‐dependent and ‐independent vasodilatation was examined in the terminal arteriole of cremaster muscle which was then harvested to examine cell viability by WST‐1 assay on day 2. Superoxide generation in arterial wall peaked at first 5‐min of reperfusion and declined to near baseline after 60 min of reperfusion. Melatonin treatment significantly reduced superoxide generation in arterial walls and improved cell viability in cremaster muscles. Melatonin treatment also significantly reduced microvascular endothelial dysfunction which was still observable in the microcirculation of cremaster muscle after 24 hr of reperfusion. Melatonin reduces superoxide generation in the early phase of reperfusion resulting in attenuating endothelial dysfunction and muscle cell death in the late phase of reperfusion.