Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The galanin receptor agonist, galnon, attenuates cocaine‐induced reinstatement and dopamine overflow in the frontal cortex

Relapse represents one of the most significant problems in the long‐term treatment of drug addiction. Cocaine blocks plasma membrane monoamine transporters and increases dopamine (DA) overflow in the brain, and DA is critical for the motivational and primary reinforcing effects of the drug as well as cocaine‐primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats, a model of relapse. Thus, modulators of the DA system may be effective for the treatment of cocaine dependence. The endogenous neuropeptide galanin inhibits DA transmission, and both galanin and the synthetic galanin receptor agonist, galnon, interfere with some rewarding properties of cocaine. The purpose of this study was to further assess the effects of galnon on cocaine‐induced behaviors and neurochemistry in rats. We found that galnon attenuated cocaine‐induced motor activity, reinstatement and DA overflow in the frontal cortex at a dose that did not reduce baseline motor activity, stable self‐administration of cocaine, baseline extracellular DA levels or cocaine‐induced DA overflow in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Similar to cocaine, galnon had no effect on stable food self‐administration but reduced food‐primed reinstatement. These results indicate that galnon can diminish cocaine‐induced hyperactivity and relapse‐like behavior, possibly in part by modulating DA transmission in the frontal cortex.
Does Abiotic Stress Cause Functional B Vitamin Deficiency in Plants?1[OPEN]

Unlike animals, plants produce their own B vitamins but may nonetheless suffer vitamin deficiencies under stress conditions, with wide-ranging metabolic consequences. B vitamins are the precursors of essential metabolic cofactors but are prone to destruction under stress conditions. It is therefore a priori reasonable that stressed plants suffer B vitamin deficiencies and that certain stress symptoms are metabolic knock-on effects of these deficiencies. Given the logic of these arguments, and the existence of data to support them, it is a shock to realize that the roles of B vitamins in plant abiotic stress have had minimal attention in the literature (100-fold less than hormones) and continue to be overlooked. In this article, we therefore aim to explain the connections among B vitamins, enzyme cofactors, and stress conditions in plants. We first outline the chemistry and biochemistry of B vitamins and explore the concept of vitamin deficiency with the help of information from mammals. We then summarize classical and recent evidence for stress-induced vitamin deficiencies and for plant responses that counter these deficiencies. Lastly, we consider potential implications for agriculture.
Activation of peripheral 5‐HT4 receptors attenuates colonic sensitivity to intraluminal distension

Abstract Tegaserod is a 5‐HT4 receptor partial agonist approved for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in women with constipation and in both men and women with chronic constipation. The efficacy of tegaserod is based on the importance of 5‐HT4 receptors regulating intestinal peristalsis and secretion, and possibly visceral sensory pathways. Our aim was to investigate the effect of tegaserod on colorectal sensitivity using models of normal and exaggerated responsiveness to colorectal distension (CRD). The visceromotor responses (VMR) to CRD at graded pressures (0–60 mmHg) were measured by the number of reflex abdominal contractions. Acute colorectal hypersensitivity was induced by intracolonic infusion of dilute acetic acid. Chronic hypersensitivity was observed in rats following spontaneous resolution of trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid‐induced colitis. Rats with normosensitive colons served as controls. Tegaserod (0.1–10 mg kg−1) caused dose‐dependent reduction of the VMR to CRD in control rats and in those with colonic hypersensitivity. 5‐HT4 antagonists reversed the effects of tegaserod in rats with normosensitive colons, and partially inhibited effects in rats with colonic hypersensitivity. Central administration of tegaserod had no inhibitory effect. These results support the assumption that colonic hypersensitivity could be normalized by tegaserod acting, at least in part, through peripheral 5‐HT4 receptors.
Is specialty care associated with improved survival of patients with congestive heart failure?

BACKGROUND Implementation of the complex treatment strategies that have been shown to improve survival of patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) may require certain expertise. We wanted to examine the association between pattern of outpatient care and survival of patients with CHF. METHODS In a retrospective cohort study conducted with national Veterans Health Administration (VHA) databases, we examined the association between the pattern of outpatient care and survival in 11,661 patients discharged from VA hospitals between October 1, 1991, and September 30, 1992, with the primary diagnosis of CHF (cohort 1). Patients were divided into 4 groups, on the basis of their pattern of outpatient care over a 12-month period after discharge: 1) general medicine clinic visits only (GM-only); 2) cardiology clinic visits only (CARD-only); 3) general medicine and cardiology (MIXED) clinic visits; and 4) neither general medicine nor cardiology clinic visits (no-GM/CARD). We used the Cox proportional hazards model to evaluate 1-year survival, controlling for clinical and demographic factors. Consistency of our results was examined by performing identical analysis on a cohort of patients discharged from VHA hospitals between October 1, 1994, and September 30, 1995 (cohort 2, n = 10,141). RESULTS The overall 1-year mortality rate was 23% in the primary cohort. The unadjusted mortality rate was highest for patients in the no-GM/CARD follow up (29%) and lowest for patients in the MIXED group (19%). By use of the MIXED group as reference and adjusting for important clinical and demographic factors, the risk of death (risk ratio [95% CI]) was 1.12 (0.94-1.34) in the CARD-only group, 1.26 (1.15-1.38) in the GM-only group, and 1.48 (1.28-1.72) in the no-GM/CARD group. Cohort-2 results were consistent with cohort 1 for most covariates, and significant survival differences were again found between GM-only and the MIXED group (1.25 [1.14-1.37]). CONCLUSIONS We found an improved survival associated with cardiologist care and a mixture of general practitioner and cardiologist care compared with general practitioner care. The pattern of outpatient care may therefore be important for the survival of patients with CHF.
Angioplasty for coarctation in different aged patients.

BACKGROUND Differences in the indication and outcome of balloon angioplasty for coarctation in children and adults have not been elucidated sufficiently. The results of balloon angioplasty for coarctation are compared between pediatric and adult age groups. METHODS Balloon angioplasty for coarctation of the aorta was performed in 85 patients who were classified according to age and native coarctation/recoarctation. Groups A (patients aged <16 years, n = 32) and B (patients aged > or =16 years, n = 17) included patients with native coarctations. Groups rCoA A (patients aged <16 years, n = 33) and rCoA B (patients aged > or =16 years, n = 3) included patients with recoarctations. Follow-up included 2-dimensional Doppler scanning echocardiography and additional angiography or magnetic resonance imaging. Gradient reductions in groups were compared by use of the independent-samples t test. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses were performed as a means of comparing long-term outcome. RESULTS No mortality occurred. Immediate success was equal in groups A, B, and rCoA A (94%). Dilatation was unsuccessful in 2 patients in group rCoA B. Pressure gradients decreased 23 mm Hg in group A, 31 mm Hg in group B, 18 mm Hg in group rCoA A, and 11 mm Hg in group rCoA B. Pressure gradient drops, compared between groups A and B, showed a significant difference (P <.001). The length of hospital stay ranged from 12 to 48 hours. The period of follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years (mean, 4.9 years). Kaplan-Meier curves of groups A and B are not different, as determined by means of log-rank analysis. No aneurysm formation was encountered. CONCLUSIONS The results of balloon angioplasty for native coarctation in both selected children and adults are excellent. In recoarctation, we recommend balloon angioplasty in the pediatric patients.
Cost-utility of stereotactic radiation therapy versus proton beam therapy for inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

The cost-utility of proton beam therapy was compared to stereotactic body radiation therapy for inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. A Markov decision-analytic model was performed following time to progression and survival using phase II trial data. Patients transitioned between three health states. Clinical outcomes were estimated for quality of life using utility estimates in the published literature and measured as incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) and net monetary benefits (NMBs). Real direct medical costs were extracted from the Bureau of National Health Insurance database. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses assessed the impact of specific variables on the model. In the base-case scenario, the modeled median survival was 16 months for proton beam therapy and 10 months for SBRT. Proton beam therapy resulted in an additional 2.61 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at an incremental cost of NT$ 557,907 compared to SBRT. The ICER was NT$ 213,354 per QALY gained. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis predicted a 97 % chance of proton beam therapy being cost-effective at the willingness to pay NT$2,157,024 per QALY gained. Thus, proton beam therapy is a cost-effective therapy for inoperable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma at the willingness-to-pay threshold of Taiwan.
Neural Network Studies. 3. Variable Selection in the Cascade-Correlation Learning Architecture

Pruning methods for feed-forward artificial neural networks trained by the cascade-correlation learning algorithm are proposed. The cascade-correlation algorithm starts with a small network and dynamically adds new nodes until the analyzed problem has been solved. This feature of the algorithm removes the requirement to predefine the architecture of the neural network prior to network training. The developed pruning methods are used to estimate the importance of large sets of initial variables for quantitative structure−activity relationship studies and simulated data sets. The calculated results are compared with the performance of fixed-size back-propagation neural networks and multiple regression analysis and are carefully validated using different training/test set protocols, such as leave-one-out and full cross-validation procedures. The results suggest that the pruning methods can be successfully used to optimize the set of variables for the cascade-correlation learning algorithm neural networks. Th.
Haplotype-based identification of a microsomal transfer protein marker associated with the human lifespan

We previously reported a genomewide linkage study for human longevity using 308 long-lived individuals (LLI) (centenarians or near-centenarians) in 137 sibships and identified statistically significant linkage within chromosome 4 near microsatellite D4S1564. This interval spans 12 million bp and contains ≈50 putative genes. To identify the specific gene and gene variants impacting lifespan, we performed a haplotype-based fine-mapping study of the interval. The resulting genetic association study identified a haplotype marker within microsomal transfer protein as a modifier of human lifespan. This same variant was tested in a second cohort of LLI from France, and although the association was not replicated, there was evidence for statistical distortion in the form of Hardy–Weinberg disequilibrium. Microsomal transfer protein has been identified as the rate-limiting step in lipoprotein synthesis and may affect longevity by subtly modulating this pathway. This study provides proof of concept for the feasibility of using the genomes of LLI to identify genes impacting longevity.
Anomalous diffusion in the nonasymptotic regime.

We analyze some properties of the one-dimensional Lévy flights, assuming that the one-step transition rates depend on the flight length x as p(alpha)(x) equivalent to x(-(alpha+2)). For flights on a finite, (2M+1)-site lattice, we can define an effective, size-dependent, diffusion coefficient D(alpha)(M) equivalent to [M(1-alpha) - 1]/(1 - alpha) if alpha < 1, with D1(M) equivalent to ln(M). Using the generalization of statistical mechanics given by Tsallis, we show that for flights on infinite systems, the generalized displacement moments are well defined provided that alpha > R - 3. These moments exhibit a power-law singularity if alpha --> 1(-) and R>2/3. The short- and intermediate-time properties of the generalized mean-square displacement are then studied numerically. This work suggests the conditions under which the asymptotic analytical formulas (obtained in the literature by the use of the generalized central limit theorem) could be applied to finite-time experiments. These formulas should work much better if alpha is close to zero than in the alpha -->1(-) neighborhood.
Chromosome Dynamics in the Yeast Interphase Nucleus

Little is known about the dynamics of chromosomes in interphase nuclei. By tagging four chromosomal regions with a green fluorescent protein fusion to lac repressor, we monitored the movement and subnuclear position of specific sites in the yeast genome, sampling at short time intervals. We found that early and late origins of replication are highly mobile in G1 phase, frequently moving at or faster than 0.5 micrometers/10 seconds, in an energy-dependent fashion. The rapid diffusive movement of chromatin detected in G1 becomes constrained in S phase through a mechanism dependent on active DNA replication. In contrast, telomeres and centromeres provide replication-independent constraint on chromatin movement in both G1 and S phases.
Microdosimetric parameters for photons as a function of depth in water using wall-less and walled counters.

Microdosimetric event size spectra (for simulated mean chord length of 0.66 .mu.m) were measured using a cylindrical ''wall-less'' and a spherical walled proportional counter at primary photon energies of 660 and 1250 keV. These spectra were also measured in a water phantom (30 X 30 X 30 cm) at depths of 2, 5, and 10 cm. Heavily filtered 250-kVp X rays (providing a mean effective energy of 215 keV) and 60-keV (/sup 241/Am) photons were also used to measure the event size spectra in air and at depths of 2, 5, and 10 cm in water for a simulated site diameter of 1 . mu.m using only the walled proportional counter. These measurements were compared with previously measured spectra for 60-, 660-, and 1250 keV primary photon energies. The differences between wall-less and walled measurements were studied. Mean chord length of 0.66 . mu.m was simulated either by Rossi-type tissue-equivalent (TE) or propanebase TE gas. The values of microdosimetric quantities Ybar/sub F/ and Ybar/sub D/ from these measurements were compared. Our results without a phantom (determined from measurements obtained with a walled counter) showed approximately 10-30% higher values for Ybar/sub F/ and Ybar/sub D/ than those determined from measurements obtained using themore » cylindrical wall-less counter. However, ratios of Ybar/sub F/(water)/Ybar/sub F/(air) and Ybar/sub D/(water)/Ybar/sub D/(air) were with +/-4% for both the wall-less and walled counter measurements. « less
ONE-YEAR CHOROIDAL THICKNESS RESULTS AFTER PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY FOR CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate choroidal thickness 1 year after photodynamic therapy in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy using optical coherence tomography. Methods: Central serous chorioretinopathy was diagnosed using fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography was used to evaluate choroidal vascular hyperpermeability. We measured the subfoveal choroidal thickness using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography. Results: Thirteen eyes (13 patients; average age, 56.8 years) with central serous chorioretinopathy were observed 1 year after half-dose photodynamic therapy with verteporfin. The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness decreased significantly from 397 ± 108 μm at baseline to 323 ± 120 μm at 1 month, 312 ± 117 μm at 3 months, 317 ± 117 μm at 6 months, and 321 ± 122 μm at 1 year (P < 0.01, for each comparison with baseline). However, the subfoveal choroid thickness significantly increased 2 days after photodynamic therapy to 441 ± 120 (P < 0.01) compared with baseline. Central serous chorioretinopathy did not recur in any patient. Indocyanine green angiography images at 3 months showed less choroidal vascular hyperpermeability compared with baseline. Conclusion: Half-dose photodynamic therapy for central serous chorioretinopathy resulted in thinner subfoveal choroidal thickness 1 month after treatment, decreased the choroidal vascular hyperpermeability, and maintained the remission for 1 year. Enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography was helpful for monitoring the pathophysiologic choroidal changes in central serous chorioretinopathy.
Out of Sync: a Simple Score Based GUI for quick Correction in Performer Computer Interaction

A simple, but effective GUI allows a graphic and/or traditional score to serve as the basis for monitoring and updating performer/computer synchronicity. The GUI is passive (monitoring) until the two become out of sync at which time a single click in a desired region of the score resets the computer to be in sync with the performer.
Light weakly interacting massive particles

Light weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) are dark matter particle candidates with weak scale interaction with the known particles, and mass in the GeV to tens of GeV range. Hints of light WIMPs have appeared in several dark matter searches in the last decade. The unprecedented possible coincidence into tantalizingly close regions of mass and cross section of four separate direct detection experimental hints and a potential indirect detection signal in gamma rays from the galactic center, aroused considerable interest in our field. Even if these hints did not so far result in a discovery, they have had a significant impact in our field. Here we review the evidence for and against light WIMPs as dark matter candidates and discuss future relevant experiments and observations.
Aprendizado extremo para redes neurais fuzzy baseadas em uninormas

Sistemas evolutivos sao sistemas com alto nivel de adaptacao capazes de modificar simultaneamente suas estruturas e parâmetros a partir de um fluxo de dados, recursivamente. Aprendizagem a partir de fluxos de dados e um problema contemporâneo e dificil devido a taxa de aumento da dimensao, tamanho e disponibilidade temporal de dados, criando dificuldades para metodos tradicionais de aprendizado. Esta dissertacao, alem de apresentar uma revisao da literatura de sistemas evolutivos e redes neurais fuzzy, aborda uma estrutura e introduz um metodo de aprendizagem evolutivo para treinar redes neurais hibridas baseadas em uninormas, usando conceitos de aprendizado extremo. Neuronios baseados em uninormas fundamentados nas normas e conormas triangulares generalizam neuronios fuzzy. Uninormas trazem flexibilidade e generalidade a modelos neurais fuzzy, pois elas podem se comportar como normas triangulares, conormas triangulares, ou de forma intermediaria por meio do ajuste de elementos identidade. Este recurso adiciona uma forma de plasticidade em modelos de redes neurais. Um metodo de agrupamento recursivo para granularizar o espaco de entrada e um esquema baseado no aprendizado extremo compoem um algoritmo para treinar a rede neural. _E provado que uma versao estatica da rede neural fuzzy baseada em uninormas aproxima funcoes continuas em dominios compactos, ou seja, _e um aproximador universal. Postula-se, e experimentos computacionais endossam, que a rede neural fuzzy evolutiva compartilha capacidade de aproximacao equivalente, ou melhor, em ambientes dinâmicos, do que as suas equivalentes estaticas. Abstract
Subwavelength Planar Leaky-Wave Components With Metamaterial Bilayers

The potential use of metamaterial planar bilayers for synthesizing compact subwavelength leaky-wave radiators in the microwave regime is analyzed in detail. In particular, the possibility of pairing "complementary" metamaterials in order to reduce the dimensions of microwave components is explored for the leaky-wave operation of an open waveguide consisting of a grounded pair of planar layers. In connection with our similar findings in other setups employing such complementary pairings, here we show how the compact resonance at the interface between "negative" and "positive" materials may also be properly exploited in this context. Choosing materials with low constitutive parameters, moreover, shows to be effective for enhancing the directivity of these components. We explore in detail the notable guidance and radiation properties of the anomalous natural modes supported by these bilayered structures, giving some physical insights into the anomalous phenomenon and considering the possible limitations in some realistic setups
Sur le nombre optimal d’organismes de bienfaisance

Dans cet article, nous supposons que contribuer a un organisme de bienfaisance (OB) procure du « plaisir de donner » (ou un « effet d’aura ») uniquement si les valeurs ideologiques de l’organisme sont proches de celle du donateur. Nous supposons egalement que la creation d’un nouvel OB genere un cout d’entree. Ainsi, si un plus grand nombre d’OB conduit a plus de dons, cela entraine egalement une replication des couts fixes. Nous comparons le nombre d’OB dans une situation de « laissez-faire » avec le nombre optimal a l’equilibre de premier rang. Nous examinons ensuite la solution de second rang lorsque le seul instrument de politique publique est le nombre d’OB.
Climate Change and Human Health

Climate change belongs in a new category of global environmental health problems. It is not just that the impacts are widely distributed: climate change is a result of unbalanced global systems. It is one of the modern threats to a ‘safe operating space’ for the planet. The effects on health occur directly, such as increased heat waves; through pressures on natural systems (reduced crop yields and undernutrition, for instance); and, as a consequence of social disruption. Also there may be impacts due to policy responses to climate change: these are so-called ‘transition risks’. Improving baseline health status is fundamental to coping with climate change, because the populations that are most seriously affected are those that already bear a heavy burden of disease. But an undifferentiated public health response is not sufficient. There are distinctive features of climate change that have to be taken into account. Mitigation, or primary prevention, will require rapid, deep cuts in greenhouse emissions if global heating is to be limited. The goal is to identify common solutions, responses to climate change that are health-enhancing rather than health damaging. There are many candidates, but by and large they are not on the path of ‘business as usual’ development.