Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Behavioral and Neurochemical Phenotyping of Mice Incapable of Homer1a Induction

Immediate early and constitutively expressed products of the Homer1 gene regulate the functional assembly of post-synaptic density proteins at glutamatergic synapses to influence excitatory neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Earlier studies of Homer1 gene knock-out (KO) mice indicated active, but distinct, roles for IEG and constitutively expressed Homer1 gene products in regulating cognitive, emotional, motivational and sensorimotor processing, as well as behavioral and neurochemical sensitivity to cocaine. More recent characterization of transgenic mice engineered to prevent generation of the IEG form (a.k.a Homer1a KO) pose a critical role for Homer1a in cocaine-induced behavioral and neurochemical sensitization of relevance to drug addiction and related neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we extend our characterization of the Homer1a KO mouse and report a modest pro-depressant phenotype, but no deleterious effects of the KO upon spatial learning/memory, prepulse inhibition, or cocaine-induced place-conditioning. As we reported previously, Homer1a KO mice did not develop cocaine-induced behavioral or neurochemical sensitization within the nucleus accumbens; however, virus-mediated Homer1a over-expression within the nucleus accumbens reversed the sensitization phenotype of KO mice. We also report several neurochemical abnormalities within the nucleus accumbens of Homer1a KO mice that include: elevated basal dopamine and reduced basal glutamate content, Group1 mGluR agonist-induced glutamate release and high K+-stimulated release of dopamine and glutamate within this region. Many of the neurochemical anomalies exhibited by Homer1a KO mice are recapitulated upon deletion of the entire Homer1 gene; however, Homer1 deletion did not affect NAC dopamine or alter K+-stimulated neurotransmitter release within this region. These data show that the selective deletion of Homer1a produces a behavioral and neurochemical phenotype that is distinguishable from that produced by deletion of the entire Homer1 gene. Moreover, the data indicate a specific role for Homer1a in regulating cocaine-induced behavioral and neurochemical sensitization of potential relevance to the psychotogenic properties of this drug.
Puberty acceleration by a urinary cue from male mice in feral populations.

The density of a population of wild house mice living on a highway island was monitored for 2 years. During the second year, urine was collected from male mice when the population was at its lowest (June) and highest (January) densities. The urine was tested for its ability to accelerate puberty in laboratory-housed juvenile albino female mice. Urine collected at both stages of the population accelerated puberty by approximately I week, indicating that changes in season and population density did not alter the ability of male urine to cause acceleration of puberty.
General quadratic performance analysis and synthesis of descriptor systems: A linearizing change of variables approach

In this paper control of high index or even non-regular linear descriptor systems subject to general quadratic constraints is considered. This setup especially includes the H∞ control problem and the design for strict passivity. In a previous paper [9] this problem was addressed by a linearizing change of variables approach under a certain assumption on the structure of the algebraic equations within the system description. This restriction is overcome in the paper at hand. By means of a modified linearizing change of variables approach the synthesis conditions (given as linear matrix inequalities (LMIs)) not only become structurally simpler, but, in contrast to [9], also include the case without algebraic constraints. The approach is constructive: controller parameterizations can be computed on the basis of the solution of the LMI synthesis conditions.
Tolerance of castor bean cultivars under salt stress

This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of castor bean cultivars under salt stress during the initial growth stage. The experiment was set in randomized blocks, in a 5 x 4 factorial scheme, resulting in 20 treatments, 5 salinity levels (0.6-control, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3.0 dS m-1) and 4 castor bean cultivars (BRS Energy, LA Guarani, BRS Gabriela and IAC 028)] with 3 replicates. At 30 days after sowing, plants were evaluated for growth, dry matter accumulation and salt tolerance. Increased salinity levels in the water used for irrigation reduced the growth of all the studied cultivars. The salt tolerance of the studied castor bean cultivars follows the following order: BRS Energia > BRS Gabriela = IAC 028 > LA Guarani.
3D LIDAR-based ground segmentation

Obtaining a comprehensive model of large and complex ground typically is crucial for autonomous driving both in urban and countryside environments. This paper presents an improved ground segmentation method for 3D LIDAR point clouds. Our approach builds on a polar grid map, which is divided into some sectors, then 1D Gaussian process (GP) regression model and Incremental Sample Consensus (INSAC) algorithm is used to extract ground for every sector. Experiments are carried out at the autonomous vehicle in different outdoor scenes, and results are compared to those of the existing method. We show that our method can get more promising performance.
A Comparison of Unidimensionality and Measurement Precision of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory and the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire

The current study compares the closeness to unidimensionality (CU) and measurement precision (MP) of the Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI)—with either a pairwise forced-choice or 5-point Likert-type scale response format—to the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire (NARQ). Minimum rank factor analysis and item information curves from item response models were utilized. The results mainly confirmed our expectations that NPI subscales are lower in CU and MP compared with NARQ subscales when the NPI was administered with its traditional forced-choice response format. When the NPI was administered with a 5-point Likert-type scale response format, the NPI subscale Leadership/Authority and NPI Grandiose Exhibitionism showed similarly high levels of CU and MP as the two NARQ subscales. While the NPI subscale Entitlement/Exploitativeness had a higher CU than the NARQ subscales it showed considerably lower levels of MP.
How doctors learn: the role of clinical problems across the medical school‐to‐practice continuum

The author proposes a theory of how physicians learn that uses clinical problem solving as its central feature. His theory, which integrates insights from Maslow, Schon, Norman, and others, claims that physicians-in-training and practicing physicians learn largely by deriving insights from clinical experience. These insights allow the learner to solve future problems and thereby address the learner's basic human needs for security, affiliation, and self-esteem. Ensuring that students gain such insights means that the proper roles of the teacher are (1) to select problems for students to solve and offer guidance on how to solve them, and (2) to serve as a role model of how to reflect on the problem, its solution, and the solution's effectiveness. Three principles guide instruction within its framework for learning: (1) learners, whether physicians-in-training or practicing physicians, seek to solve problems they recognize they have; (2) learners want to be involved in their own learning; and (3) instruction must both be time-efficient and also demonstrate the range of ways in which students can apply what they learn. The author concludes by applying the theory to an aspect of undergraduate education and to the general process of continuing medical education.
Empirical likelihood confidence intervals on the mean differences after inverse probability weighted imputation

Consider two linear models with missing data, where the covariates are not missing and response variables are missing at random (MAR). The inverse probability weighted imputation is used to impute the missing data of response variables. We construct the empirical log-likelihood ratios on mean differences of two response variables. And the asymptotic distributions for the empirical log-likelihood ratios of mean differences of response variables are standard 2 1  comparing with the results of previous studies. The empirical likelihood confidence intervals for mean differences of response variables is more accurate because the errors caused right of the coefficient estimates is reduced.
On the Validation of Solids Represented with the International Standards for Geographic Information

The international standards for geographic information provide unambiguous definitions of geometric primitives, with the aim of fostering exchange and interoperability in the geographical information system (GIS) community. In two dimensions, the standards are well accepted and there are algorithms (and implementations of these) to validate primitives, that is given a polygon, they ensure that it respects the standardized definition (and if it does not a reason is given to the user). However, although there exists an equivalent definition in three dimensions (for solids), it is ignored by most researchers and by software vendors. Several different definitions are indeed used, and none is compliant with the standards: for example solids are often defined as two‐manifold objects only, although in fact they can be nonmanifold objects. Exchanging and converting data sets from one format/platform to another is thus highly problematic. I present in this article a methodology to validate solids according to the international standards. It is hierarchical and permits us to validate the primitives of all dimensionalities. To understand and study the topological relationships between the different parts of a solid (the shells) the concept of Nef polyhedron is used. The methodology has been implemented in a prototype, and I report on the main engineering decisions that were made and on its use for the validation of real‐world three‐dimensional data sets.
Fingerprinting of diverse species with DNA probes generated from immobilized single-stranded DNA templates.

The low stringency hybridization necessary to generate a multilocus fingerprint pattern can present many technical difficulties. Parameters of importance include hybridization stringency, blocking DNA and probe activity. Here we describe a fingerprinting protocol employing magnetic bead 'immobilized' DNA (1) to create long single stranded radiolabeled probes with the aid of a M13 sequencing primer. Applying Jeffreys' probe 33.6 (2) this protocol - denoted Magnetic Solid-Phase Labeling; (MSPL)-generates fingerprints from mammals, reptiles and birds without modifications in hybridization conditions. Because of the high sensitivity of MSPL probe, the use of blocker DNA is eliminated. In addition, the immobilized templates can be reused in labeling reactions. Figure 1 -demonstrates that the sensitivity of the MSPL probes decrease with shorter probe length. The MSPL probes give very low unspecific background (Figure lA, B and D) and are far more sensitive than random primed probes (not shown). In Figure ID, a 'zooblot' containing a range of mammals and 2 non-mammal species was hybridized to the 33.6 probe labeled with the MSPL protocol. All the studied species show interpretable fingerprints. With minor changes in hybridization conditions this protocol also generated fingerprints with DNA from fish (salmon, trout and cod). In contrast to fingerprinting probes labeled by specific priming of minisatellite-containing M13 single-stranded templates, this method is not restricted to any particular vector, and there is no unlabeled DNA complementary to the probe present. Compared to RNA probes (3) the single stranded DNA probes are easier to handle. Due to the few
How Do Fab-Spaces Enable Entrepreneurship? Case Studies of 'Makers' Entrepreneurs

Fabrication spaces (fab-spaces), such as TechShops or Fab Labs, provide access to sophisticated digital manufacturing technologies to individuals. They could be a new institutional context which influences entrepreneurial behaviour. To understand how this might happen, we used a grounded approach to examine the experience of eight individuals who have benefitted from fab-spaces to push forward their entrepreneurial ventures. This examination led to the development of new hypotheses regarding the potential role of fab-spaces in the entrepreneurial journey. In particular, it has emerged that fab-spaces might affect the entry phase of a new venture by lowering the 'perception of performance' threshold. Fab-spaces also affect post-entry barriers, as they provide an opportunity to entrepreneurs for fast learning, and consequently, to establish effective routines. However, this paper also shows how these positive effects might be moderated by fab-spaces' institutional setup, chiefly their location and cultural characteristics.
An Increase in Synaptic NMDA Receptors in the Insular Cortex Contributes to Neuropathic Pain

Inhibiting NMDA receptor function in the insular cortex may prevent the development of neuropathic pain. Stopping the Pain Damage to the central or peripheral nervous system can trigger the development of neuropathic pain, which can manifest as painful sensations in response to stimuli that are not normally painful. Qiu et al. found that mice that had developed neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury showed changes in synaptic plasticity and increased abundance of synaptic NMDA receptors in the insular cortex, a region of the brain that is activated by acute and chronic pain. Using pharmacological inhibitors and transgenic mice, they mimicked these changes in vitro with insular cortical slices and thus identified the signaling pathway responsible. Mice injected with NMDA receptor inhibitors showed reduced behavioral signs of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury. Thus, blocking NMDA receptor function in the insular cortex may prevent the development of neuropathic pain. Neurons in the insular cortex are activated by acute and chronic pain, and inhibition of neuronal activity in the insular cortex has analgesic effects. We found that in a mouse model in which peripheral nerve injury leads to the development of neuropathic pain, the insular cortex showed changes in synaptic plasticity, which were associated with a long-term increase in the amount of synaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), but not that of extrasynaptic NMDARs. Activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)–dependent signaling enhanced the amount of synaptic NMDARs in acutely isolated insular cortical slices and increased the surface localization of NMDARs in cultured cortical neurons. We found that the increase in the amount of NMDARs required phosphorylation of the NMDAR subunit GluN2B at Tyr1472 by a pathway involving adenylyl cyclase subtype 1 (AC1), protein kinase A (PKA), and Src family kinases. Finally, injecting NMDAR or GluN2B-specific antagonists into the insular cortex reduced behavioral responses to normally nonnoxious stimuli in the mouse model of neuropathic pain. Our results suggest that activity-dependent plasticity takes place in the insular cortex after nerve injury and that inhibiting the increase in NMDAR function may help to prevent or treat neuropathic pain.
A hybrid page segmentation method

A method of page segmentation using field separators and white streams is described and applied to the layout analysis of various types of printed pages which may have horizontal and vertical textlines. In complex page layouts, text columns which are printed closely together are often separated by thin black lines (field separators) or long white spaces (white streams). These separators are first extracted by horizontal and vertical scanning of a page, and then a global partitioning of the page into blocks is performed. Next in each block, black connected components are merged into textlines along the directions of separators horizontally or vertically. In experimental trials on various types of page layouts, such techniques produced robust and fast results. <<ETX>>
Testing of a Diagnostic Ultrasonic Array Probe and Estimation of the Acoustic Power Using Radiation Conductance

In this paper, we describe a test method for an ultrasonic array probe using electroacoustic radiation conductance. The radiation conductance was calculated using the measured acoustic power based on the radiation force balance method and the voltage for the driving element on the probe. To illustrate the usefulness of this method, we conducted the testing with a normal as well as a faulty probe with an open element or a block gain. In the comparison of the test results from each sample, the different values of radiation conductance signified the nonuniform probe gain. Specifically, the value of the radiation conductance of nearly zero revealed a clearly faulty element. To predict the temporal averaged acoustic power from sonography, we calculated the estimated value of the temporal acoustic power of a scan beam and sonography using radiation conductance. The result showed that the uniformity of the radiation conductance of each element is a useful parameter when testing an array probe. It enables an estimation of the acoustic output without additional measurements regardless of whether or not the scanning procedure changes when creating the image.
On the Variation of Hedging On the Variation of Hedging Decisions in Daily Currency Risk Decisions in Daily Currency Risk

Internationally operating firms naturally face the decision whether or not to hedge the currency risk implied by foreign investments. In a recent paper, Bos, Mahieu and van Dijk (2000) evaluate the returns from optimal and alternative currency hedging strategies, for a series of 7 models, using Bayesian inference and decision analysis. The models differ in the way time-varying means, variances or the unconditional error distributions are incorporated. In this extension, we compare the hedging decisions and financial returns and utilities as they result from the modelling assumptions and the attitudes towards risk.
Air-assisted growth of ultra-long carbon nanotube bundles

We report an air-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method for the synthesis of super-long carbon nanotube (CNT) bundles. By mixing a small amount of air in the vapor phase catalyst CVD process, the catalyst lifetime can be dramatically increased, and extremely long dense and aligned CNT bundles up to 1.5 cm can be achieved. Electron microscopy characterization shows that the injection of air does not damage the CNT structures. Further, we have estimated that individual ultra-long CNTs can carry moderate current densities ∼105 A cm−2, indicating their possible use in nanoelectronic devices.
Can Capital Expenditures be Value Destroying?: An International Perspective

We look at the effect of capital expenditures on firm performance in an international context. We find that increases in capital expenditures increase ROA and Firm Q but only up to a certain point, after which value is destroyed. This is especially true for U.S. firms and continental European companies, but less so for U. K. firms over the period 2003 through 2011. Firms with high free cash flow destroy value more. In the U.S. and U.K., high free cash flow in conjunction with excessive CAPEX is value decreasing.
Purification and characterization of Staphylococcus aureus type 8 capsular polysaccharide

Clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus have been previously classified into eight types on the basis of their capsular polysaccharide. The high prevalence of the type 8 capsular polysaccharide among bacteremic isolates suggests the importance of this capsular antigen in staphylococcal disease. The capsular polysaccharide was purified from extracts of three clinical isolates of S. aureus type 8 of different geographic and temperal origin by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance showed that the type 8 capsular polysaccharide is composed of O-acetyl groups, N-acetylfucosamine, and an aminouronic acid similar to N-acetylgalactosaminouronic acid. The purified polysaccharide reacted only with type 8 antiserum in double diffusion experiments. Our analysis shows that the type 8 polysaccharide is both chemically and serologically distinct from teichoic acid and previously characterized polysaccharides of S. aureus.
Predictors of Impaired HDL Function in HIV-1 Infected Compared to Uninfected Individuals

Objective: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) function rather than absolute level may be a more accurate indicator for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Novel methods can measure HDL function using patient samples. The objective of this study is to identify factors that may contribute to HDL dysfunction in chronic treated HIV-1 infection. Design: Retrospective study of HDL function measured in 2 ways in HIV-1–infected men with low overall CVD risk and healthy men with no known CVD risk matched by race to the HIV-1–infected participants. Methods: We examined patient-level factors associated with 2 different measures of HDL dysfunction: reduced antioxidant function (oxidized HDL, HDLox) and reduced HDL-apoA-I exchange (HAE), a measure of HDL remodeling, in the HIV infected and control men. Multivariable-adjusted linear regression analyses were used adjusting for false discovery rate, age, race, body mass index (BMI), CD4 count, viremia, CVD risk, smoking, lipids, apoA-I, and albumin. Results: In multivariate analysis among HIV-1–infected men (n = 166) (median age 45 years, CD4 T-cell count 505 cells/mm3, 30.1% were viremic), higher BMI, lower apoA-I, and lower albumin were among the most notable correlates of higher HDLox and lower HAE (P < 0.05). In HIV-1 uninfected participants, lower albumin and higher BMI were associated with lower HAE and higher HDLox, respectively (P ⩽ 0.05). HDLox was inversely related to HAE in HIV-1–infected individuals (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased HDLox correlates with reduced HAE in chronic HIV-1 infection. Higher BMI, lower apoA-I, and albumin were identified as factors associated with HDL dysfunction in chronic HIV-1 infection using 2 independent methods.
Vehicle dynamics and external disturbance estimation for vehicle path prediction

This paper addresses the onboard prediction of a motor vehicle's path to help enable a variety of emerging functions in autonomous vehicle control and active safety systems. It is shown in simulation that good accuracy of path prediction is achieved using numerical integration of a linearized two degree of freedom vehicle handling model. To improve performance, a steady-state Kalman filter is developed to estimate the vehicle's lateral velocity and the magnitudes of external disturbances acting on the vehicle, specifically the lateral force and the yaw moment disturbances. A comparison is made between three models of external disturbance time variation; a piecewise-constant-in-time model is found to be sufficient. Finally, an algorithm is proposed to characterize path prediction uncertainty using a statistical characterization of the measurement and modeling errors. Simulation suggests that these algorithms may provide a useful suite of path prediction tools for a variety of applications.