Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serotonin involvement in cocaine sensitization: Clues from studies with cocaine analogs

While the behavioral effects of cocaine are generally ascribed to its ability to inhibit the uptake of dopamine, there is evidence to indicate that some of the other pharmacological properties of cocaine may play a significant role in its actions. Behavioral, biochemical, and electrophysiological data suggest that the potent inhibition of serotonin uptake elicited by cocaine is a mechanism that may contribute to its overall effects in vivo. Cocaethylene is the ethyl ester of benzoylecognine which is formed in vivo during concurrent ingestion of cocaine and ethanol. Cocaethylene is equipotent with cocaine as an inhibitor of dopamine uptake, but less potent as an inhibitor of serotonin uptake. We have compared the effects of acute and chronic cocaine and cocaethylene on rat locomotor activity in an attempt to determine the serotonin component in this behavior. Acute dose‐response studies revealed that at higher doses (20 mg/kg ip) cocaethylene produced less stimulation of locomotor activity than cocaine. Prior exposure to cocaine resulted in an augmented response to a subsequent challenge dose of either cocaine (sensitization) or cocaethylene (cross‐sensitization). However, previous treatment with cocaethylene did not significantly affect the locomotor activity produced by challenges with cocaethylene or cocaine. The involvement of serotonergic systems in the development of cocaine‐induced sensitization is one intriguing possible explanation of these data. Biochemical studies have shown that other cocaine analogs possess even more selectivity for the dopamine uptake site than cocaethylene. In terms of comparative potency as inhibitors of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine uptake, isopropylcocaine (isopropyl ester of benzoylecognine) is more selective than even cocaethylene. A metabolically resistant analog of cocaine, β‐CIT (2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐iodophenyl)tropane), was shown to be extraordinarily long‐acting, stimulating locomotor activity for 10 h following a dose of 0.1 mg/kg ip. Furthermore, β‐CIT was extremely potent, inhibiting dopamine or serotonin uptake in vitro at a concentration 100 times lower than is required for cocaine. Thus, isopropyl or other substitutions at the carbomethoxy position of the cocaine or β‐CIT structures may provide useful tools for the analysis of the serotonin or norepinephrine components in cocaine's actions and as selective probes of central dopamine systems in imaging studies. © 1993 wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sponsored Tasks and Solver Participation in Crowdsourcing Contests

Crowdsourcing platforms provide a venue where firms looking for solutions (seekers) and individuals who can provide solutions (solvers) interact with each other. As crowdsourcing contest platforms have grown in popularity with numerous tasks being posted on a daily basis, a concern that has emerged is that many similar tasks compete for solver attention, with some tasks failing to attract sufficient solver participation. To alleviate such a concern, in addition to regular task listings, many crowdsourcing platforms offer sponsorship programs under which seekers pay an extra fee to highlight their tasks in order to draw the attention of solvers. We examine the effect of sponsorship on solver participation using a unique data set collected from a leading crowdsourcing platform. We find that, in sharp contrast to platforms’ claims on the effect of sponsorship on participation, sponsorship does not always boost participation in crowdsourcing contests; sponsorship increases the number of participants only when the prize amount for a task is already high. Furthermore, even when the number of participants increases, the increase primarily comes from low-ability solvers. We also find that when sponsorship increases the total number of submissions, it does so only through increasing the number of participants; in other words, sponsorship does not increase the number of submissions after solvers join the tasks.
Food Security and Sustainability of Agricultural Production: An Economic Appraisal in Indian Context

Food security is interlinked with agricultural production. Enhancement in farm productivity and providing diversified demand of food due to growth in per capita income, urbanization and changes in food habit is the major challenges. Study is based on secondary data collected from different published sources for the period from 1988-89 to 2017-18 i.e. for 30 years. Simple tabular analysis and compound growth rates were calculated to draw meaningful conclusion. The findings revealed that growth rate of net sown area for overall period was found negative (-0.05%). In case of gross cropped area, growth rates were found positive for all periods under investigation. The growth was due to more use of land to fulfill the growing demands of food and other agricultural commodities due to rise in population as reflected by growth trend of population. Growth rates for area and production of food grains indicated that area under food grains remained almost stagnant (0.001%) during the period under investigation. But in the last decade production growth was assessed positive (0.41%). Production growth may be attributed to technological change in cultivation practices like use of improved varieties of seeds and use of fertilizers etc. Growth rates of area under cereals were computed to be negative. The reason may be erratic weather condition or may be less remunerative crops or farmers would have shifted cultivated area to high value crops. Due to technological intervention, the productivity was recorded positive. Decrease in area under cereals is of great concern as a study commissioned by the Agriculture Ministry emphasized that given the current rates of population and income growth, India will have to push a growth of 4.2% per annum in cereal production till 2020, instead of the less than 2% as it was achieved in the previous decade.
Historic Variability: Informing Restoration Strategies, Not Prescribing Targets

The concept of historic range of variability (HRV) is briefly evaluated within the context of its application in ecosystem management over the past two decades. Despite caveats to the contrary, an implicit assumption continues to emerge of climatic stationarity, and, by corollary, that presettlement centuries provide an appropriate reference period. This is examined from the perspective of historic climate change and ecosystem response. As a means of developing reference prescriptions and management targets, HRV is generally inappropriate, although if historic periods are used for reconstruction that have coarse resemblance to present or projected future climates, such as the Medieval Climate Anomaly or middle Holocene rather than the presettlement centuries, these might be defensible. In cases of reclamation of severely degraded ecosystems, HRV prescriptions developed from analogous climate periods could provide coarse guides. In most situations, however, historic reconstructions are best used to improve understanding of ecological response to a wide range of forcing factors, and thereby to inform (rather than prescribe) management strategies. Such historically informed approaches are likely more effective than an HRV approach under future changing climate regimes for managing and restoring ecosystem function and for assisting transitions to new ecosystem states.
An alternative to the Merton jump-diffusion model: A simple, explicit formula

We provide an alternative to the jump-diffusion model. In doing so, we provide a simple, explicit formula that doesn’t require any numerical/computational methods. Moreover, we introduce a new method for solving partial differential-difference equations. In doing so, we transform a partial differential-difference equation to a partial differential equation.
A taxonomic synopsis of Brazilian Chloraeinae (Orchidaceae: Orchidoideae)

A taxonomic synopsis of Brazilian Chloraeinae (Orchidaceae) is presented. Artificial keys to separate the genera and species are included. Vegetative and floral features of all species are described and illustrated with drawings and photographs, and data on their distribution, phenology and ecology are presented. Two lectotypes and one neotype are proposed. The presence of Bipinnula biplumata , B. montana , B. penicillata and Chloraea membranacea in Brazil is confirmed, and Bipinnula gibertii is reported for the first time from this country.
Gerontocracy, Retirement, and Social Security

Why are the old politically successful? We build a simple interest group model in which political pressure is time-intensive, showing that in the political competitive equilibrium each group lobbies for government policies that lower their own value of time but that the old do so to a greater extent and as a result are net gainers from the political process. What distinguishes the elderly from other political groups (and what makes them more successful) is that they have lower labor productivity and/or that we are all likely to become elderly at some point, while we are relatively unlikely to change gender, race, sexual orientation, or even occupation. The model has a variety of implications for the design of social security programs, which we test using data from the Social Security Administration. For example, the model predicts that social security programs with retirement incentives are larger and that the old are more single-minded' in their politics, implications which we verify using cross-country government finance data and cross-country political participation surveys. Finally, we show that the forced savings programs intended to reform' the social security system may increase the amount of intergenerational redistribution. As a model for evaluating policy reforms, ours has the attractive feature that reforms must be time consistent from a political point of view rather than a public interest point of view.
Foreign Direct Investment Inflows in the Context of the Trilemma in India

In the post-global financial crisis period, several countries including large emerging economies like India have undergone an increased macroeconomic flux and intensified financial volatility. India has been experiencing choppy foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows during the period. The purpose of this study is to examine how trilemma policy configurations affect the FDI inflows in India. This study uses the “trilemma indexes” developed by Aizenman et al. (2008) which measure the achievement in each of the three policy goals in the trilemma — financial openness, monetary independence, and exchange rate stability for the period 1960-2016. The regression estimates suggest that financial openness index and exchange rate stability index have a significant impact on FDI inflows. Monetary independence index has a positive association with FDI inflows in accordance with the hypothesis. The findings imply that India needs to reform further on the financial openness measure. Exchange rate stability measures are also required to achieve stability on the macroeconomic front. The policy implication could be that there is a need for greater capital account openness required coupled with higher exchange rate stability to achieve higher levels of FDI inflows.
Characterization of aluminium‐induced citrate secretion in aluminium‐tolerant soybean (Glycine max) plants

Recently, we showed that secretion of citrate in an aluminium (Al) tolerant cultivar soybean (Glycine max) (cv. Suzunari) is a specific response to Al stress [Yang et al. (2000) Physiol Plant 110: 72-77]. Here we investigated the intrinsic mechanisms behind the secretion of citrate induced by Al. The amount of citrate secreted during the 24-h Al treatment period increased with increasing concentration of Al (0-70 μM). We analysed citrate secretion basically under 3 conditions: (1) by varying light-exposure, (2) with intact or excised shoots and (3) by using a divided chamber technique. Further, the content of organic acids in the tissue and the activity of enzymes involved in organic acid metabolism were analysed and evaluated. The results indicate that high rate of citrate secretion in soybean requires a 4-h induction period. Al had a continuous effect on the citrate secretion when Al was removed from the treatment solution. Citrate secretion increased steadily under exposure to continuous light. However, when the shoots were excised the citrate secretion rate dropped to 3-6 times that of their control counterparts. Results of root manipulation experiments revealed that citrate secretion required the direct contact of Al. In other words, only the Al-treated root portions secreted citrate. All these observations suggest that the shoots play a role in Al-induced citrate secretion. Although shoots may not supply citrate for the secretion upon Al treatment, it seems that they may provide the carbon source and/or energy for citrate synthesis in the root. On the other hand, the root organic acid content (1-cm apex) indicated that malate might contribute to citrate secretion by keeping the balance between citrate synthesis and release in the root apices. Quantification of enzymes involved in organic acid metabolism showed only a 16% increase in citrate synthase activity upon Al treatments (6 h) with no differences in other enzymes. Hence, we could not rule out completely the potential contribution of citrate from shoots and the results are discussed in the light of shoots contributing either energy or citrate itself for enhanced citrate secretion in the Al-tolerant plant roots.
Education, Lifelong Learning, Inequality and Financial Access: Evidence from African Countries

This study investigates the role of financial access in modulating the effect of education and lifelong learning on inequality in 48 African countries for the period 1996 to 2014. Lifelong learning is conceived and measured as the combined knowledge gained from primary through tertiary education while the three educational indicators are: primary school enrolment; secondary school enrolment and tertiary school enrolment. Financial development dynamics are measured with financial system deposits (liquid liabilities), financial system activity (credit) and financial system efficiency (deposits/credit). Three measures of inequality are employed notably: the Gini coefficient; the Atkinson index and the Palma ratio. The estimation strategy is based on Generalised Method of Moments. The following findings are established. First, primary school enrolment interacts with all financial channels to exert negative effects on the Gini index. Second, lifelong learning has negative net effects on the Gini index through financial deposit and efficiency channels. Third, for the most part, the other educational levels do not significantly influence inequality through financial access channels. Policy implications are discussed.
Contribution to the feeding ecology of the predatory wingfin anchovy Pterengraulis atherinoides (L.) in north Brazilian mangrove creeks

Summary Stomach contents were examined from 136 Amazonian wingfin anchovy, Pterengraulis atherinoides (Engraulidae), caught from intertidal mangrove creeks at diurnal neap tides between June and September 1997 (early dry season) near Braganca (northern Brazil). The study found that P. atherinoides are specialized predators of juvenile Natantia and Teleostei (mean: 67 and 28% by dry weight, respectively). On average, 5.2 g ha−1 day−1 of Natantia and 2.6 g ha−1 day−1 of Teleostei (wet weight) were eaten by P. atherinoides. Diet changed with fish size as well as by month. While smaller sizes still fed on several food items (e.g. the copepod Pseudiaptomus marshii, the brachyuran crab Pachygrapsus gracilis, amphipods), fish >13 cm standard length (SL) fed exclusively on Natantia and Teleostei. Copepods were especially abundant in July and August, dominating the diet of fish <9 cm SL in numbers (92%). Our results suggest a positive relationship between predator size and prey size, both in penaeid and piscine prey. However, the largest predator size class apparently selected fewer but larger Teleostei prey. More than 64% of Natantia were juvenile penaeid shrimps of commercial importance (Fenneropenaeus subtilis, F. schmitti, Xiphopenaeus kroyeri). Comparison with ichthyoplankton samples taken simultaneously showed that Sciaenidae and Mugilidae were positively selected while Gobiidae and Engraulidae were negatively selected. The presence of pranzia larvae in the stomachs of fish <10 cm SL, from July onward, suggests that these sizes fulfil a mutually beneficial ‘cleaning’ function on other fish. Block net sampling at neap tides showed that P. atherinoides were present in intertidal mangrove creeks throughout the submergence period, suggesting temporal optimization of the foraging time in the eulittoral.
The Declining Asset Return Predictability and Macroeconomic Volatility

We document strong U.S. stock and bond return predictability from several macroeconomic volatility series before 1982. Return predictability declined significantly during the Great Moderation in the post-1982 sample. Our empirical finding is robust to out-of-sample "real time" forecasts in terms of root mean square errors. We explore this result using a model incorporating monetary policy and shocks with time-varying volatility. The predictability decline is consistent with changes in both policy and shock dynamics. While an increase in the response to inflation in the interest-rate policy rule decreases volatility, more persistent shocks with reduced volatility explain the lower predictability.
Assuring that 1080 toxicosis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is humane: fluoroacetic acid (1080) and drug combinations

Fluoroacetic acid (1080) is frequently used to poison the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Australia. The symptoms of 1080 poisoning in dogs appear extremely distressing to observers as manic running, yelping and convulsing are readily interpreted as being indicative of pain and distress. Assessment of pain perceived by animals poisoned by 1080 is difficult, as severe CNS disruptions alter behaviour and EEG patterns that may otherwise be useful in such assessments. This study compared three drug agents combined with 1080 to address the possibility of pain and distress that may be experienced by foxes during 1080 toxicosis. A mixed-sex group of 15 foxes was used in the trial of each of the three drugs: an analgesic (carprofen; 10 mg kg–1), an anxiolytic/sedative (diazepam; 10 mg kg–1) or an analgesic/sedative (clonidine; 0.75 mg kg–1). Each group of 15 foxes was randomly allocated between three treatments of either 0.5 mg kg–1 of 1080, 0.5 mg kg–1 of 1080 and a dose of the trial drug, and a dose of the trial drug alone. A telemetry collar was used on each fox to monitor the duration and intensity of activity, and behaviour from dosage to death was recorded using daylight/infra-red video cameras. In foxes dosed with 1080 alone, a mean of 4.05 (0.86, P < 0.05) h was observed from dosage to symptoms and 1.57 (0.46, P < 0.05) h from symptoms to death. Diazepam reduced the overall intensity of activity from dosage to death (P < 0.002) and from first symptoms to death (P < 0.05). Diazepam also extended the time until death (P < 0.01) and time taken from dosage to first symptoms (P < 0.01). In the dosages used, clonidine was not as effective as diazepam in reducing activity associated with symptoms of poisoning, although it prolonged the time taken from dosing to first symptoms (P < 0.05). Carprofen did not significantly alter the progression of 1080 toxicosis or the intensity of activity of foxes compared with the group that received 1080 alone. The initial symptoms of 1080 toxicosis include retching and manic running and foxes may be more capable of suffering at this stage than after collapse, where behaviour is likely to be associated with CNS disruption. Diazepam may be effective in minimising any anxiety experienced by foxes especially during the first symptoms of 1080 toxicosis.
Global Competitiveness and Economic Sovereignty of Some Compatibility Issues With Modern Conditions

One of the issues related to globalization - the most important issue is the sovereignty of national states and resonance. The stage is on the agenda of with modern in global competitiveness and economic sovereignty of the interoperability problem, which, in turn, organically linked to the economic security of Independent States. This is one of the country's national security - a key component. <br><br>In order to balance the positive and negative consequences of globalization, it is recommended by international financial - economic institutions and activities of large transnational companies Such a manner transformation of their economic interests According to sovereign state's domestic economic policies. On the other hand, sovereign states, with globalization in the face of economic security. <br><br>Among economic reforms implemented for overcoming of world financial and economic recessions the special accent is brought to macroeconomic stabilization; strengthening of financial sphere is recognized one of imperatives of economic policy. Just these matters are covered by the present work.
Feeding patterns by roe deer and rabbits on pine, willow and birch in relation to spatial arrangement

The location of a plant and its association with the surrounding vegetation may be a strong determinant of herbivore foraging decisions. The attractiveness of a food plant may be reduced if associated with a less preferred one (repellent–plant hypothesis) or, conversely, it may escape herbivory via association with a more preferred species (attractant–decoy hypothesis). In this study we tested the hypothesis that selection of the same food plants by two herbivore species with different body mass, i.e. roe deer and rabbits, is affected by the spatial disposition of preferred plants in relation to less preferred ones. We planted willows, birches and pines, representing food species of higher, intermediate and lower preference, respectively, in different spatial arrangements, to manipulate patch quality and accessibility to herbivores. Contrasting patches were constructed by planting willows or pines in the midst of birches and single-species arrays of all three species, in a blocked design, replicated six times in an area occupied by both roe deer and rabbits. Preference patterns were studied by recording browsing on current years’ shoots and older plant parts. Across all trees in the experiment, we confirmed that roe deer clearly preferred willow over birch, pine was not browsed at all. There was greater herbivory by roe deer on birches occurring peripherally in an array, when the associated central species was willow or pine, as compared to birches in a single-species birch patch. Therefore food choices by roe deer appear to be determined by both patch and individual level selection. The rabbits only showed preference at a species level and did not respond to spatial arrangement of trees. The results from this study indicate that the location and association of trees can strongly affect foraging patterns of roe deer, but not in a manner wholly consistent with the repellent–plant or the attractant–decoy hypotheses.