Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential transactivation of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors modulates NGF-induced neurite extension

The process of neurite extension after activation of the TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor by nerve growth factor (NGF) involves complex signaling pathways. Stimulation of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), the enzyme that phosphorylates sphingosine to form sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), is part of the functional TrkA signaling repertoire. In this paper, we report that in PC12 cells and dorsal root ganglion neurons, NGF translocates SphK1 to the plasma membrane and differentially activates the S1P receptors S1P1 and S1P2 in a SphK1-dependent manner, as determined with specific inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeted to SphK1. NGF-induced neurite extension was suppressed by down-regulation of S1P1 expression with antisense RNA. Conversely, when overexpressed in PC12 cells, transactivation of S1P1 by NGF markedly enhanced neurite extension and stimulation of the small GTPase Rac, important for the cytoskeletal changes required for neurite extension. Concomitantly, differentiation down-regulated expression of S1P2 whose activation would stimulate Rho and inhibit neurite extension. Thus, differential transactivation of S1P receptors by NGF regulates antagonistic signaling pathways that modulate neurite extension.
Indizierte Prävention psychotischer Störungen

Zusammenfassung Eine Frühintervention in der Prodromalphase einer psychotischen Störung zielt auf die Prävention der manifesten Erkrankung ab. Unklar ist die tatsächliche Effektivität spezifischer klinischer Interventionen. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit wurde eine systematische Literatursuche via PubMed und MEDLINE zwischen Januar 2000 und Juni 2011 anhand der Kombination der Schlüsselwörter „psychosis“, „high risk OR prodrome“ und „intervention“ durchgeführt und die Literatursuche durch eine gezielte weiterführende Literaturrecherche ergänzt. Zur Frühintervention bei Personen mit erhöhtem Psychoserisiko konnten in der Literatur elf klinische Studien, einige Übersichtsarbeiten und eine formale Metaanalyse identifiziert werden. Hinsichtlich einer medikamentösen Intervention liegt eine vorläufige Evidenz für Risperidon, Olanzapin und Amisulprid vor. Im Hinblick auf die untersuchten psychotherapeutischen Verfahren sprechen die Ergebnisse am ehesten für eine integrierte psychotherapeutische Intervention und für eine kognitive Verhaltenstherapie. Nach kritischer Betrachtung der Datenlage gibt es Hinweise darauf, dass eine Frühintervention bei Personen mit erhöhtem Psychoserisiko wirksam sein könnte.
Multiple Path Selection Algorithm using Prime Number

A novel algorithm for next-hop selection over a set of equal cost multiple paths (ECMP) in a router is presented, which provides for load sharing among multiple routes. The main idea of proposed algorithm called prime number modulo-N load balance (PMN-LB) is that the remainders are distributed equally when the multiples of a number are divided by prime number. Based on this specific property, PMN-LB assigns incoming flows to a next-hop selected. The hashed value of flow is divided by the number of multiple paths. If a next-hop pointed the remainder is available, this next-hop selected to forward packet. But if not, the prime number not less than the number of available multiple paths divides the hashed value and a next-hop is selected using this remainder. If the previous calculation is failed, the hashed value is divided by the number of available multiple paths. The disruption characteristic is remarkably improved using prime number division scheme. The lookup performance of PMN-LB is an optimal O(1) and disruptive behavior is between 0.125 and 0.500 in case N is the number of next-hops and N is equal to eight. As compared with other algorithm decided which next-hop to use, the performance of PMN-LB like modulo-N is an optimal O(1), disruptive behavior of PMN-LB is better than that of modulo-N and that of hash-threshold algorithm. But highest random weight (HRW)'s disruptive behavior with 1/N is better than that of PMN-LB. The load balancing between next-hops is nearly good
H3.3-H4 Tetramer Splitting Events Feature Cell-Type Specific Enhancers

Previously, we reported that little canonical (H3.1–H4)2 tetramers split to form “hybrid” tetramers consisted of old and new H3.1–H4 dimers, but approximately 10% of (H3.3–H4)2 tetramers split during each cell cycle. In this report, we mapped the H3.3 nucleosome occupancy, the H3.3 nucleosome turnover rate and H3.3 nucleosome splitting events at the genome-wide level. Interestingly, H3.3 nucleosome turnover rate at the transcription starting sites (TSS) of genes with different expression levels display a bimodal distribution rather than a linear correlation towards the transcriptional activity, suggesting genes are either active with high H3.3 nucleosome turnover or inactive with low H3.3 nucleosome turnover. H3.3 nucleosome splitting events are enriched at active genes, which are in fact better markers for active transcription than H3.3 nucleosome occupancy itself. Although both H3.3 nucleosome turnover and splitting events are enriched at active genes, these events only display a moderate positive correlation, suggesting H3.3 nucleosome splitting events are not the mere consequence of H3.3 nucleosome turnover. Surprisingly, H3.3 nucleosomes with high splitting index are remarkably enriched at enhancers in a cell-type specific manner. We propose that the H3.3 nucleosomes at enhancers may be split by an active mechanism to regulate cell-type specific transcription.
Understanding associations between exhibited aggression and aggression seen on television and in video games in children with behavioural and emotional difficulties, attending specialist outpatient mental health services

The possibility that seeing aggression on television and in video games might cause aggression in children is a public health concern. A systematic review found insufficient, contradictory and methodologically flawed evidence regarding this association in children with behavioural and emotional difficulties. It indicated the complexity of the subject, along with numerous gaps in knowledge. There are few studies based in clinical settings. This thesis reports a mixed methods pilot study that explored possible associations between aggression seen on television and in video games and reported aggression in children attending specialist outpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Forty-seven children aged 7-11 years with behavioural and emotional difficulties, attending CAMHS, and their carers participated in a survey. Twenty children were purposively selected; they and a parent/carer participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analysed using the Framework Analysis Approach. Quantitative findings indicate that children exhibit various types of aggression, of varying frequency and severity. Qualitative findings reveal that children see aggression in multiple real and virtual settings. Children do not think their own behaviour is influenced by seeing aggression. Carers regard aggression as the result of a combination of inner and environmental factors, amongst which seeing aggression in real life has more impact than television/video games. Verbal aggression is often seen in real and virtual settings, frequently exhibited and strongly associated with poor peer relationships and low prosocial behaviour. There is currently no definitive proof of any association between seeing aggression on television and in video games and exhibited aggression in such children. This thesis makes suggestions for the undertaking of and methodology for future research, tackling the challenges of researching this field and hard to reach population. Carers, professional organisations and policy makers should consider the role of aggression, particularly verbal, that children see in both real and virtual environments.
Social evolution in Melittobia

Interactions between individuals can range from peaceful cooperation, through mediated contest, to escalated conflict. Understanding such diversity of interactions between individuals requires an understanding of the costs and benefits involved with these behaviours, and the influence of relatedness between interacting individuals. Species in the parasitoid wasp genus Melittobia display social behaviours at both extremes of this spectrum, from the potentially cooperative traits of the ratio of male to female offspring that they produce, and the dispersal of females to new habitats, to the extreme conflict of violent contests between males. In this thesis, I examine a number of aspects of social evolution in Melittobia. First, I consider the pattern of sex allocation – the division of resources between male and female offspring where local mate competition theory predicts that females will adjust their offspring sex ratio (proportion of males) conditionally, with females laying increasingly female biased sex ratios as the number of other females laying eggs on the same patch increases. In Chapter 2, I show that M. acasta females always lay an extremely female biased sex ratio, and that this may be explained in part by the fact that male Melittobia engage in violent lethal combat in competition for mates. Early emerging males have a competitive advantage and thus there is a limited advantage for later laying females to produce a less female biased sex ratio. However, I also demonstrate that the advantage of early emergence can be reduced when we consider male body size, which is linked to fighting ability, suggesting that the occurrence of this extreme conflict does not fully explain the unusual pattern of sex allocation in Mellitobia. In Chapter 3, I examine whether the level of dispersal varies in response to the extent of local competition for resources, and the relatedness between competitors. I use the species M. australica, which readily produces two distinct female dispersing morphs, to show that the production of dispersing females increases with the competition for resources. I consider the parallels between the evolution of dispersal and of sex ratio. In Chapter 4, I examine male fighting in more detail and explore theory that predicts that when extreme conflict does evolve, the incidence of fighting varies with resource value, number of competitors, and the level of relatedness between males. I show that mating opportunities are sufficiently valuable that male Melittobia will always engage in fighting irrespective of relatedness, that there is no evidence of opponent assessment prior to fighting, and that the intensity of fights increases with the number of competitors. This thesis highlights the importance of considering combinations of social traits and the interactions between them, to understand the evolution of social characters.
Environmental correlates of physical activity and dietary behaviours among young people: a systematic review of reviews

An extensive body of research exists on environmental influences on weight‐related behaviours in young people. Existing reviews aimed to synthesize this body of work, but generally focused on specific samples, behaviours or environmental influences and integration of findings is lacking. Hereto, we reviewed 18 reviews representing 671 unique studies, aiming to identify what environmental factors do and do not affect physical activity and dietary behaviours in children and adolescents. Eleven reviews focused exclusively on physical activity, six on diet, and one review focused on both physical activity and dietary behaviours with only small overlap in included studies. Physical activity was more consistently related to school and neighbourhood characteristics than to interpersonal and societal environments. In contrast, interpersonal factors played a pronounced role in dietary behaviours; no school, neighbourhood or societal factors were consistently related to dietary behaviours. This review of reviews adds to the literature by providing a comprehensive synthesis of factors related to physical activity and dietary behaviours that could be targeted in interventions. Moreover, by identifying factors that are unrelated to physical activity and dietary behaviours, this review may help to narrow the scope of future studies and environmental interventions.
A Design Flow for the Precise Identification of the Worst-Case Voltage Drop in Power Grid Analyses

Modern IC designs contain hundreds of millions of transistors and new approaches of multicore chips take place in commercial products. Identifying worst-case voltage drop conditions in every hierarchical module supplied by the power grid is a crucial reliability problem in modern IC design. In this paper we focused our efforts on a complete design flow using innovative results of our recent research work. This approach demonstrates a new implementation of construction of the current space which is performed via plain simulation and statistical extrapolation using results from extreme value theory. Experimental results verify the potential of the estimation engine using industrial EDA tools and perform power grid verification using a custom hierarchical design.
Estimating Recharge Distribution by Incorporating Runoff from Mountainous Areas in an Alluvial Basin in the Great Basin Region of the Southwestern United States

A method is described to estimate the distribution of ground water recharge within hydrographic basins in the Great Basin region of the southwestern United States on the basis of estimated runoff from high mountainous areas and subsequent infiltration in alluvial fans surrounding the intermontane basins. The procedure involves a combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis, empirical surface‐runoff modeling, and water‐balance calculations. The method addresses the need to develop and incorporate constraints on the distribution of recharge in regional‐scale ground water flow modeling of arid and semiarid environments. The conceptual approach and methodology were developed for Crescent Valley, Nevada. However, the concept and method are generally applicable to any region where excess precipitation in upland areas is conveyed to lower elevations before it infiltrates to recharge the ground water system. Application of the procedure to a ground water flow model of Crescent Valley appears both qualitatively and quantitatively to result in a more accurate representation of actual recharge conditions than might otherwise have been prescribed.
Statistical Analysis of Single-Trial Granger Causality Spectra

Granger causality analysis is becoming central for the analysis of interactions between neural populations and oscillatory networks. However, it is currently unclear whether single-trial estimates of Granger causality spectra can be used reliably to assess directional influence. We addressed this issue by combining single-trial Granger causality spectra with statistical inference based on general linear models. The approach was assessed on synthetic and neurophysiological data. Synthetic bivariate data was generated using two autoregressive processes with unidirectional coupling. We simulated two hypothetical experimental conditions: the first mimicked a constant and unidirectional coupling, whereas the second modelled a linear increase in coupling across trials. The statistical analysis of single-trial Granger causality spectra, based on t-tests and linear regression, successfully recovered the underlying pattern of directional influence. In addition, we characterised the minimum number of trials and coupling strengths required for significant detection of directionality. Finally, we demonstrated the relevance for neurophysiology by analysing two local field potentials (LFPs) simultaneously recorded from the prefrontal and premotor cortices of a macaque monkey performing a conditional visuomotor task. Our results suggest that the combination of single-trial Granger causality spectra and statistical inference provides a valuable tool for the analysis of large-scale cortical networks and brain connectivity.
Can Positive Employees Help Positive Organizational Change? Impact of Psychological Capital and Emotions on Relevant Attitudes and Behaviors

Although much attention has been devoted to understanding employee resistance to change, relatively little research examines the impact that positive employees can have on organizational change. To help fill this need, the authors investigate whether a process of employees' positivity will have an impact on relevant attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, this study surveyed 132 employees from a broad cross-section of organizations and jobs and found: (a) Their psychological capital (a core factor consisting of hope, efficacy, optimism, and resilience) was related to their positive emotions that in turn were related to their attitudes (engagement and cynicism) and behaviors (organizational citizenship and deviance) relevant to organizational change; (b) mindfulness (i.e., heightened awareness) interacted with psychological capital in predicting positive emotions; and (c) positive emotions generally mediated the relationship between psychological capital and the attitudes and behaviors. The implications these findings have for positive organizational change conclude the article.
Examining Digital Literacy Practices on Social Network Sites

Young adults represent the most avid users of social network sites, and they are also the most concerned with their online identity management, according the Pew Internet and American Life Project (Lenhart, Purcell, Smith, & Zickuhr, 2010; Madden, 2012). These practices represent important literate activity today, as individuals who are writing online learn to negotiate interfaces, user agreements, and personal data, as well as rhetorical situations. Examining the social, technological, and structural factors that influence digital literacy practices in online environments is crucial to understanding the impact of these sites on writing practices. Applying Brooke’s (2009) concept of an “ecology of practice” to writing in digital environments, this article examines the digital literacy practices of one undergraduate student through his self-presentation strategies. In considering the roles that social network sites play in individuals’ literacy and identity practices, writing researchers and educators can better understand the literacy practices that students engage in outside of the classroom and the experiences they bring to their academic writing.
Occlusion Detection in VLC Systems through Physical Layer Data Analysis

Due to the explosive requirement in wireless communication, the wireless radio spectrum is nearly occupied and become more and more congested. VLC is a new technique transferring data through the links of light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are used for illumination simultaneously. It is a green, secure, radiation-free technology with high throughput, regarded as a promising solution to mitigate wireless spectrum shortage. However, VLC relies heavily on the direct link between the transceivers, which may be blocked frequently in real application. Therefore, to improve the stability of VLC systems, it is critical to detect occlusions in communication. In this paper, we study the occlusion detection in VLC systems through effective analysis of the physical layer data during transmission. With the combination of the improved K-means cluster algorithm and the compressive sensing method, we propose an approach to on-line check the situation of occlusions in VLC. Furthermore, We can store the information collected and conduct offline analysis on the frequency of the occlusions, acquiring the occlusion occurrence pattern and then finding the reason of occlusions. Implementation and simulations in real VLC systems demonstrate that our approach can efficiently detect occlusion online.
An Examination of Exposure to Traumatic Events and Symptoms and Strengths for Children Served in a Behavioral Health System of Care

The present study examined how exposure to traumatic events affects children with severe emotional disturbance who are being served in a school-based system of care. Multilevel growth curve models were used to examine the relationships between a child’s history of traumatic events (physical abuse, sexual abuse, or domestic violence) and behavioral and emotional strengths, internalizing problem behaviors, and externalizing problem behaviors over 18 months. Results indicate that children receiving services (N = 134) exhibited increased emotional and behavioral strengths and decreased internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors from enrollment to 18-month follow-up. Children with a history of traumatic events improved more slowly than children without such a history on both strengths and internalizing problem behaviors, even after controlling for dosage of services received and other characteristics previously found to predict outcomes. Gender was also related to improvement in internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the continued need to assess the impact of exposure to traumatic events for children served in a system of care.
Offense Cycles, Thresholds and Bifurcations

Abstract In recent years there has been much discussion of the possible application of dynamical systems theory, sometimes called nonlinear dynamics, to social science. One plausible application would be to the antisocial behaviors of sex offenders, since common clinical offense cycle models appear to imply nonlinearity. In this article, we fit linear and nonlinear models to three time series of antisocial behaviors of three adolescent sex offenders. Nonlinear models best characterize two of the three time series. The implications of nonlinearity in offender behaviors include difficulty in demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions, the possibility of endogenously generated swings in behavior, and the possibility that attempts to control offending behaviors might actually lead to larger numbers of those behaviors.
Relationship between structure and function of neurons in the rat rostral nucleus tractus solitarii

To investigate the relationship between the structure and function of neurons in the rostral (gustatory) nucleus tractus solitarii (rNTS), we analyzed the morphological and biophysical properties of rNTS neurons by performing whole‐cell recordings in a brain slice preparation. Overall, neurons (n=58) had a mean somal diameter of 16 μm, an average dendritic length of 598 μm, an average dendritic thickness of 0.91 μm, and a spine density of 0.037 spines/μm. Neurons were separated into three groups (elongate, miltipolar, and ovoid) on the basis of previously established morphological criteria. The highest percentage (49%) of neurons were classified as ovoid, while 35% were multipolar and only 16% were elongate.
The development of emotion regulation : biological and behavioral considerations

The 11 essays in this collection combine to present a broad overview of recent work on emotion conceived as a response that is both regulatory and regulated. Starting with a survey of fundamental conceptual issues, the discussion shifts to detailing the major biological systems involved in emotion regulation, and then moves to focus on relationships as a significant source of regulation. Contributors to Section 1 include: J. Kagan on the nature of emotion; R. Thompson on the multiple definitions of emotion regulation; S. Calkins on the origins of individual differences; and P. Cole et al. on clinical perspectives of emotional dysregulation. Section 2 features: K. Stansbury and M. Gunnar on adrenocortical activity; G. Dawson on individual differences recorded by EEG; N. Fox on dynamic cerebral processes; and S. Porges et al. on the role of the vagal system. In Section 3, the "hidden" biological regulators of early relationships are discussed by M. Hofer, the effects of maternal unavailability by T. Field, and the relation between quality of attachment and emotion regulation strategies by J. Cassidy.