Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diazepam improves aspects of social behaviour and neuron activation in NMDA receptor‐deficient mice

NR1 knockdown (NR1KD) mice are genetically modified to express low levels of the NR1 subunit of N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors, and show deficits in affiliative social behaviour. In this study, we determined which brain regions were selectively activated in response to social stimulation and asked whether differences in neuronal activation could be observed in mice with reduced sociability. Furthermore, we aimed to determine whether brain activation patterns correlated with the amelioration of social deficits through pharmacological intervention. The cingulate cortex, lateral septal nuclei, hypothalamus, thalamus and amygdala showed an increase in c‐Fos immunoreactivity that was selective for exposure to social stimuli. NR1KD mice displayed a reduction in social behaviour and a reduction in c‐Fos immunoreactivity in the cingulate cortex and septal nuclei. Acute clozapine did not significantly alter sociability; however, diazepam treatment did increase sociability and neuronal activation in the lateral septal region. This study has identified the lateral septal region as a neural substrate of social behaviour and the GABA system as a potential therapeutic target for social dysfunction.
Return Attribution for Commercial Real Estate Investment Management

In this study, we offer a refinement to a return attribution method proposed by the pioneers of return attribution analysis. Returns for the aggregate portfolio are decomposed into selection and allocation contributions as originally presented. We introduce the use of a neutral effect, which aggregates to zero at the portfolio level, that insures proper interpretation of the decomposition of the sector returns of the portfolio into selection and allocation contributions. This refinement is particularly relevant to private real estate investment, where portfolio performance is measured against both an aggregate benchmark and benchmarks for sub-sectors. In addition, we suggest a methodology for performing multi-period attribution analysis. Further, we offer a new presentation format to report both single and multi-period return attributes.
Targeting the affective component of chronic pain: a case series of deep brain stimulation of the anterior cingulate cortex.

BACKGROUND Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown considerable promise for relieving nociceptive and neuropathic symptoms of refractory chronic pain. Nevertheless, for some patients, standard DBS for pain remains poorly efficacious. Pain is a multidimensional experience with an affective component: the unpleasantness. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a structure involved in this affective component, and targeting it may relieve patients' pain. OBJECTIVE To describe the first case series of ACC DBS to relieve the affective component of chronic neuropathic pain. METHODS Sixteen patients (13 male and 3 female patients) with neuropathic pain underwent bilateral ACC DBS. The mean age at surgery was 48.7 years (range, 33-63 years). Patient-reported outcome measures were collected before and after surgery using a Visual Analog Scale, SF-36 quality of life survey, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and EQ-5D (EQ-5D and EQ-5D Health State) questionnaires. RESULTS Fifteen patients (93.3%) transitioned from externalized to fully internalized systems. Eleven patients had data to be analyzed with a mean follow-up of 13.2 months. Post-surgery, the Visual Analog Scale score dropped below 4 for 5 of the patients, with 1 patient free of pain. Highly significant improvement on the EQ-5D was observed (mean, +20.3%; range, +0%-+83%; P = .008). Moreover, statistically significant improvements were observed for the physical functioning and bodily pain domains of the SF-36 quality-of-life survey: mean, +64.7% (range, -8.9%-+276%; P = .015) and mean +39.0% (range, -33.8%-+159%; P = .050), respectively. CONCLUSION Affective ACC DBS can relieve chronic neuropathic pain refractory to pharmacotherapy and restore quality of life.
GFP-Mutant Human Tau Transgenic Mice Develop Tauopathy Following CNS Injections of Alzheimer's Brain-Derived Pathological Tau or Synthetic Mutant Human Tau Fibrils

Neurodegenerative proteinopathies characterized by intracellular aggregates of tau proteins, termed tauopathies, include Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with tau pathology (FTLD-tau), and related disorders. Pathological tau proteins derived from human AD brains (AD-tau) act as proteopathic seeds that initiate the templated aggregation of soluble tau upon intracerebral injection into tau transgenic (Tg) and wild-type mice, thereby modeling human tau pathology. In this study, we found that aged Tg mice of both sexes expressing human tau proteins harboring a pathogenic P301L MAPT mutation labeled with green fluorescent protein (T40PL-GFP Tg mouse line) exhibited hyperphosphorylated tau mislocalized to the somatodentritic domain of neurons, but these mice did not develop de novo insoluble tau aggregates, which are characteristic of human AD and related tauopathies. However, intracerebral injections of either T40PL preformed fibrils (PFFs) or AD-tau seeds into T40PL-GFP mice induced abundant intraneuronal pathological inclusions of hyperphosphorylated T40PL-GFP. These injections of pathological tau resulted in the propagation of tau pathology from the injection site to neuroanatomically connected brain regions, and these tau inclusions consisted of both T40PL-GFP and WT endogenous mouse tau. Primary neurons cultured from the brains of neonatal T40PL-GFP mice provided an informative in vitro model for examining the uptake and localization of tau PFFs. These findings demonstrate the seeded aggregation of T40PL-GFP in vivo by synthetic PFFs and human AD-tau and the utility of this system to study the neuropathological spread of tau aggregates. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The stereotypical spread of pathological tau protein aggregates have recently been attributed to the transmission of proteopathic seeds. Despite the extensive use of transgenic mouse models to investigate the propagation of tau pathology in vivo, details of the aggregation process such as the early seeding events leading to new tau pathology have remained elusive. This study validates the use of GFP-labeled tau expressed by neurons in vivo and in vitro as models for investigating mechanisms underlying the seeded transmission of tau pathology as well as tau-focused drug discovery to identify disease-modifying therapies for AD and related tauopathies.
A Study to Investigate the Effectiveness of In-Service Training of Teachers for the Collaborative Practices

This study focused on assessing the effectiveness of in-service training in developing teachers’ values of collaborating with colleagues. Three research questions were drawn on the basis of national professional standards for the teachers and supported by the review of the related literature. The study utilized the convergent parallel mixed methods research design through which, firstly, the quantitative data and secondly, the qualitative data were gathered and mixed to address the stated research question. The five hundred and the eighty six teachers, two hundred and the eighty five head teachers and the nine master trainers were the participants of this study. The analysis of data yielded that the in-service trainings could not help in bringing up collaboration among colleagues. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended that there is a need for effective collaborative practices should be designed for the teachers to foster the culture of sharing knowledge and solving problems of teaching with the help of other colleagues. For further research there should be more research into how mobile phones can help teachers’ connect/ collaborate with each other and how they can share best practices of collaboration. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016. v7n1p480
Mind bomb 1 is required for pancreatic β-cell formation

During early pancreatic development, Notch signaling represses differentiation of endocrine cells and promotes proliferation of Nkx6-1+Ptf1a+ multipotent progenitor cells (MPCs). Later, antagonistic interactions between Nkx6 transcription factors and Ptf1a function to segregate MPCs into distal Nkx6-1−Ptf1a+ acinar progenitors and proximal Nkx6-1+Ptf1a− duct and β-cell progenitors. Distal cells are initially multipotent, but evolve into unipotent, acinar cell progenitors. Conversely, proximal cells are bipotent and give rise to duct cells and late-born endocrine cells, including the insulin producing β-cells. However, signals that regulate proximodistal (P-D) patterning and thus formation of β-cell progenitors are unknown. Here we show that Mind bomb 1 (Mib1) is required for correct P-D patterning of the developing pancreas and β-cell formation. We found that endoderm-specific inactivation of Mib1 caused a loss of Nkx6-1+Ptf1a− and Hnf1β+ cells and a corresponding loss of Neurog3+ endocrine progenitors and β-cells. An accompanying increase in Nkx6-1−Ptf1a+ and amylase+ cells, occupying the proximal domain, suggests that proximal cells adopt a distal fate in the absence of Mib1 activity. Impeding Notch-mediated transcriptional activation by conditional expression of dominant negative Mastermind-like 1 (Maml1) resulted in a similarly distorted P-D patterning and suppressed β-cell formation, as did conditional inactivation of the Notch target gene Hes1. Our results reveal iterative use of Notch in pancreatic development to ensure correct P-D patterning and adequate β-cell formation.
Green tea consumption and gastric cancer in Japanese: a pooled analysis of six cohort studies

Background: Previous experimental studies have suggested many possible anti-cancer mechanisms for green tea, but epidemiological evidence for the effect of green tea consumption on gastric cancer risk is conflicting. Objective: To examine the association between green tea consumption and gastric cancer. Methods: We analysed original data from six cohort studies that measured green tea consumption using validated questionnaires at baseline. Hazard ratios (HRs) in the individual studies were calculated, with adjustment for a common set of variables, and combined using a random-effects model. Results: During 2 285 968 person-years of follow-up for a total of 219 080 subjects, 3577 cases of gastric cancer were identified. Compared with those drinking <1 cup/day, no significant risk reduction for gastric cancer was observed with increased green tea consumption in men, even in stratified analyses by smoking status and subsite. In women, however, a significantly decreased risk was observed for those with consumption of ⩾5 cups/day (multivariate-adjusted pooled HR = 0.79, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.65 to 0.96). This decrease was also significant for the distal subsite (HR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50 to 0.96). In contrast, a lack of association for proximal gastric cancer was consistently seen in both men and women. Conclusions: Green tea may decrease the risk of distal gastric cancer in women.
Chlorophyll a fluorescence as a biomarker for rapid toxicity assessment

Algal growth assays are the most frequently used methods to detect herbicide toxicity in environmental samples; however, these require several days to detect reductions in growth rate with adequate precision. Hence, a need exists for more rapid assays. Two in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence assays, one using pulse‐amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorescence and another based on fluorescence at 684 and 735 nm, detect the effects of photosystem (PS) II inhibitors (atrazine, diuron, and isoproturon) on Selenastrum capricornutum Printz only after 1 h and 30 min, respectively, of incubation. The median growth inhibition (IC50) could be predicted reliably from effects on three PAM parameters—maximal PSII quantum yield (ϕm), operational quantum yield (ϕ'm), and nonphotochemical quenching—and from measurements of fluorescence at 684 and 735 nm. The effects of the PSI inhibitor paraquat dichloride, were smaller in magnitude and could be detected after a 24‐h incubation. These two in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence assays can thus provide reliable, rapid, and cost‐effective tools to screen toxicity caused by PSII inhibitors. Neither of the two fluorescence assays could consistently predict the effects of nonphotosynthetic inhibitors (alachlor, metsulfuron methyl, and diclofop methyl).
Community-based blood pressure measurement by non-health workers using electronic devices: a validation study

Introduction Population monitoring and screening of blood pressure is an important part of any population health strategy. Qualified health workers are expensive and often unavailable for screening. Non-health workers with electronic blood pressure monitors are increasingly used in community-based research. This approach is unvalidated. In a poor, urban community we compared blood pressure measurements taken by non-health workers using electronic devices against qualified health workers using mercury sphygmomanometers. Method Fifty-six adult volunteers participated in the research. Data were collected by five qualified health workers, and six non-health workers. Participants were randomly allocated to have their blood pressure measured on four consecutive occasions by alternating a qualified health worker with a non-health worker. Descriptive statistics and graphs, and mixed effects linear models to account for the repeated measurement were used in the analysis. Results Blood pressure readings by non-health workers were more reliable than those taken by qualified health workers. There was no significant difference between the readings taken by qualified health workers and those taken by non-health workers for systolic blood pressure. Non-health workers were, on average, 5–7 mmHg lower in their measures of blood pressure than the qualified health workers (95%HPD: −2.9 to −10.0) for diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion The results provide empirical evidence that supports the practice of non-health workers using electronic devices for BP measurement in community-based research and screening. Non-health workers recorded blood pressures that differed from qualified health workers by no more than 10 mmHg. The approach is promising, but more research is needed to establish the generalisability of the results.
transitions to self-fertilization in plants The demography and population genomics of evolutionary

Supplementary data ml http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/suppl/2014/06/12/rstb.2013. 0344.DC1. ht "Data Supplement" References http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing. org/content/369/1648/20130344.full. html#ref-list-1 This article cites 47 articles, 16 of which can be accessed free Subject collections (90 articles) plant science  (76 articles) genomics  (98 articles) genetics  (693 articles) evolution  (530 articles) ecology  Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections
Coarse-grain modelling of DMPC and DOPC lipid bilayers

Our recently developed coarse-grain model for dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) has been improved and extended to dioleylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), a more typical constituent of real biological membranes. Single-component DMPC and DOPC bilayers have been simulated using microsecond-long molecular dynamics. We investigated properties that are difficult or impossible to access experimentally, such as the pressure distribution, the spontaneous curvature and the diffusion pattern of individual lipid molecules. Moreover, we studied the dipole potential, a basic physical feature of paramount biological importance that cannot be currently modelled by other coarse-grain approaches. In fact, a complete representation of the system electrostatics and a realistic description of the water component make our method unique amongst the existing coarse-grain membrane models. The spontaneous permeation of water, a phenomenon out of reach of standard atomistic models, was also observed and quantified; this was possible thanks to the efficiency of our model, which is about two orders of magnitude less computationally expensive than atomic-level counterparts. Results are generally in good agreement with the literature data. Further model extensions and future applications are proposed.
Exports, imports, FDI and GDP in the Republic of Korea: 1980-2014

In this paper, we have set up an empirical analysis of the economic growth in Korea between 1980 and 2015, in order to identify the potential relationships between relevant variables. We chose to study Korea because is a country notable for applying industrial policies. We compare the export-led growth versus growth-driven exports hypotheses, we also compare the contribution of FDI to economic growth hypothesis versus its opposite, the idea that a rapid economic growth attracts FDI; we also compare other opposing hypotheses. A four-variable vector autoregression (VAR) is used to study the relationships between trade, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth using quarterly data from 1980 to 2014. We estimated the Granger causality/Block exogeneity test, and calculated the Impulse Response Functions and Variance Decomposition. The main findings are that the three tests confirm the growth-driven exports hypothesis, as well as that FDI has no effect on economic growth or exports. We consider that these results for Korea have a significant relevance for Latin America and other regions that are searching for policies to enhance economic growth.
Design and implementation of a computational grid for bioinformatics

The popular technologies, Internet computing and grid technologies promise to change the way we tackle complex problems. They enable large-scale aggregation and sharing of computational, data and other resources across institutional boundaries. And harnessing these new technologies effectively transforms scientific disciplines ranging from high-energy physics to the life sciences. The computational analysis of biological sequences is a kind of computation driven science. Cause the biology data growing quickly and these databases are heterogeneous. We can use the grid system sharing and integrating the heterogeneous biology database. As we know, bioinformatics tools can speed up analysis the large-scale sequence data, especially about sequence alignment and analysis. The FASTA is a tool for aligning multiple protein or nucleotide sequences. These two bioinformatics software, which we used is a distributed and parallel version. The software uses a message-passing library called MPI (message passing interface) and runs on distributed workstation clusters as well as on traditional parallel computers. A grid computing environment is proposed and constructed on multiple Linux PC clusters by using globus toolkit (GT) and SUN grid engine (SGE). The experimental results and performances of the bioinformatics tool using on grid system are also presented.
Release‐regulating GABAA receptors are present on noradrenergic nerve terminals in selective areas of the rat brain

The effects of γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the spontaneous release of [3H]‐norepinephrine ([3H]‐NE) were investigated by means of superfused synaptosomes prepared from different areas of the rat brain and prelabeled with [3H]‐NE. GABA increased in a concentration‐dependent way (1–300 μM) the release of [3H]‐NE in hippocampal synaptosomes. The effect of GABA was mimicked in part by muscimol. Similar effects were observed in cerebral cortex synaptosomes where GABA and muscimol were however less potent than in hippocampus. No effect could be observed in hypothalamic synaptosomes. Bicuculline antagonized the effect of muscimol and that of low concentrations of GABA (below 10 μM). Above 10 μM, the [3H]‐NE releasing effects of GABA became progressively less sensitive to bicuculline. (−)‐Baclofen did not affect the spontaneous release of [3H]‐NE. It is concluded that release‐regulating receptors of the GABAA subtype are present on NE nerve terminals in selective areas of the rat brain.
Congolese Rhizospheric Soils as a Rich Source of New Plant Growth-Promoting Endophytic Piriformospora Isolates

In the last decade, there has been an increasing focus on the implementation of plant growth-promoting (PGP) organisms as a sustainable option to compensate for poor soil fertility conditions in developing countries. Trap systems were used in an effort to isolate PGP fungi from rhizospheric soil samples collected in the region around Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With sudangrass as a host, a highly conducive environment was created for sebacinalean chlamydospore formation inside the plant roots resulting in a collection of 51 axenically cultured isolates of the elusive genus Piriformospora (recently transferred to the genus Serendipita). Based on morphological data, ISSR fingerprinting profiles and marker gene sequences, we propose that these isolates together with Piriformospora williamsii constitute a species complex designated Piriformospora (= Serendipita) ‘williamsii. ’ A selection of isolates strongly promoted plant growth of in vitro inoculated Arabidopsis seedlings, which was evidenced by an increase in shoot fresh weight and a strong stimulation of lateral root formation. This isolate collection provides unprecedented opportunities for fundamental as well as translational research on the Serendipitaceae, a family of fungal endophytes in full expansion.
Service Learning for At-Risk Student Populations: The Contextual Dynamism of Implementation

Abstract The central purpose of this article is to explore research, issues, and perspectives on the implementation of service learning programs to improve student achievement in at-risk student populations. The implementation of service learning programs takes place within multiple contexts and across several terrains. The complexities of implementing service learning are captured in a framework of “contextual dynamism” which consists of six interrelated terrains: the political, the economic, the accountability, the financial, the demographic, and the staffing. In this article, the authors explore each of the terrains, ending with recommendations for policymakers and practitioners.
« Can a Platform Make Profit with Consumers' Mobility? A Two-Sided Monopoly Model with Random Endogenous Side-Switching »

We model a specific two-sided monopoly market in which agents can switch from a side to the other. We define two periods of time. In the first period, agents buy the platform services on each side and in the second period of time, they can possibly enhance their satisfaction by going to the other face of the platform. We analyze the link between mobility, consumer’s utility, prices and profit. We show that mobility is a valuable feature which can be compared with an increase of product quality. Finally, the firm is able to capture the mobility in its monopoly’s profit. The relative size of each group then appears as a strategical variable for the firm.
Analyzing topography effects for L-band radiometry using an improved model approach

Global measurements of soil moisture, the key variables in the water cycle, are provided by spaceborne radiometer based on the long wavelength detection. As one potentially critical factor, topography will induce soil moisture retrieval error over mountain areas from space. To explore the mechanism of relief effects on L-band, the imitated landscapes are generated underlying Gaussian surfaces, and an improved microwave radiative transfer model to simulate relief effects is proposed. Based on the model, the significance of soil moisture and land surface temperature to relief effects in these terrain scenes are analyzed respectively, and the impact of topography on brightness temperature and soil moisture retrieval is predicted. It is shown that the maximum fractional error of soil moisture retrieval arisen by topography compared to soil moisture in the flat terrain at L band is 77.6%.