Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Electrogenic uptake of glutamate and aspartate into glial cells isolated from the salamander (Ambystoma) retina.

The effects of excitatory amino acids on the membrane current of isolated retinal glial cells (Müller cells) were investigated using whole‐cell patch clamping. 2. L‐Glutamate evoked an inward current at membrane potentials between ‐140 and +50 mV. The current was larger at more negative potentials. 3. The glutamate‐evoked current was activated by external cations with relative efficacies: Na+ much greater than Li+ greater than K+ greater than Cs+, choline. It was activated by internal cations with relative efficacies K+ greater than Rb+ greater than Cs+ much greater than choline. Chloride and divalent cations did not affect the glutamate‐evoked current. 4. Raising the intracellular sodium or glutamate concentrations, or raising the extracellular potassium concentration, reduced the current evoked by external glutamate. The suppressive effect of internal glutamate was larger when the internal sodium concentration was high. 5. Some analogues of glutamate also evoked an inward current. Responses to L‐aspartate resembled those to glutamate, but for aspartate the apparent affinity was higher and the voltage dependence of the current was steeper. In the physiological potential range the current evoked by a saturating dose of aspartate was less than that evoked by a saturating dose of glutamate. 6. The uptake blocker threo‐3‐hydroxy‐DL‐aspartate (30 microM) reduced the glutamate‐evoked current, but also generated a current itself. Dihydrokainate (510 microMs) weakly inhibited the glutamate‐evoked current without generating a current itself. 7. The commonly used blockers of glutamate‐gated ion channels, 2‐amino‐5‐phosphonovalerate (APV; 100 microMs), 6‐cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX; 20 microMs), and kynurenate (1mM) had no effect on the glutamate‐evoked current. 8. The voltage dependence, cation dependence and pharmacological profile of the current evoked by excitatory amino acids indicate that it is caused by activation of the high‐affinity glutamate uptake carrier. This carrier appears to transport one glutamate anion into the cell, one K+ ion out of the cell, and two or more Na+ ions into the cell, on each carrier cycle. At the inner membrane surface some or all of the transported Na+ dissociates from the carrier after the transported glutamate has dissociated. 9. In addition to glutamate, the uptake carrier can also transport aspartate and threo‐3‐hydroxy‐DL‐aspartate, but not dihydrokainate.
Social Media, Media Freedom and Pakistan’s War on Terror

Abstract This article offers a different interpretation on the role of social media in Pakistan, in contrast to the narrative of its association with terrorism. The usage of Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter across Pakistan, it notes, needs to be kept in context. The author argues that private television channels remain the most influential media platform in the country. Based on recent research, it appears that approximately 2% of social media is being used for extremist proselytisation, whereas the overwhelming majority of Pakistani civil society has no appetite for news reports around terrorism, and want more positive stories. Indeed, social media is being used primarily for entertainment purposes. While extremist networks are certainly using social media very effectively to recruit new adherents, focussing on this aspect of social media usage in Pakistan presents a distorted picture.
Effects of fluoxetine on convulsions and on brain serotonin as detected by microdialysis in genetically epilepsy-prone rats.

Fluoxetine, an antidepressant and inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, was evaluated as an anticonvulsant in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) because seizure predisposition in GEPRs is partially dependent on deficits in brain serotonin. Fluoxetine produced dose-dependent reductions in sound-induced convulsion intensity in both moderate seizure GEPRs and severe seizure GEPRs with the peak anticonvulsant effect occurring 4 hr after i.p. administration. A subchronic study in severe seizure GEPRs demonstrated that the ED50 after 28 days of dosing (8.2 mg/kg) was lower than the acute ED50 (15.9 mg/kg) so that there was no apparent development of tolerance. The lower ED50 after subchronic administration apparently resulted from accumulation of fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine in brain. Brain microdialysis studies showed that acute fluoxetine administration resulted in a significant increase in extracellular serotonin concentration in the thalamus. The increase in serotonin concentration in the dialysate corresponded temporally with the anticonvulsant effect produced by fluoxetine. Intrathalamic administration of fluoxetine via the dialysis probe caused an increase in serotonin concentration in the dialysate, suggesting that the effect of fluoxetine was on nerve terminals. Fluoxetine could be dialyzed from thalamus after its i.p. administration. Fluoxetine concentration in the thalamic dialysate was similar to the concentration found in plasma. We conclude that fluoxetine is an effective anticonvulsant in GEPRs and that the microdialysis results strongly suggest a relationship between the effects of fluoxetine on serotonergic neurons and the anticonvulsant effect produced by this drug.
Toward 3D UWB tomographie imaging system for breast tumor detection

A novel 3D tomographic algorithm for short range cylindrical geometries using UWB frequency range is presented. The algorithm has been applied to breast tumor detection, nevertheless, its non application-specific character permits the use in other applications. The detection capability of the tomographic algorithm is proved through numerical simulations and experimental measurements of canonical and more realistic body-attached breast phantoms. For the acquisition of the experimental data, a virtual array-based cylindrical measurement setup has been built. At the current stage of development 3 degrees of freedom are available allowing the scanning of bodies with revolution symmetry.
Forecasting Outlier Occurrence in Stock Market Time Series Based on Wavelet Transform and Adaptive ELM Algorithm

In financial field, outliers represent volatility of stock market, which plays an important role in management, portfolio selection and derivative pricing. Therefore, forecasting outliers of stock market is of the great importance in theory and application. In this paper, the problem of predicting outliers based on adaptive ensemble models of Extreme Learning Machines (ELMs) is considered. We found out that the proposed model is applicable for outlier forecasting and outperforms the methods based on autoregression (AR) and extreme learning machine (ELM) models.
Comparative study of osteoarthritis of the contralateral knee joint of male amputees who do and do not play volleyball.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) of the contralateral knee of men with traumatic amputation who do and do not participate in regular, vigorous physical activity. METHODS Three groups of patients were assessed. Group 1 consisted of 8 male amputee volleyball players. Group 2 consisted of 24 male amputees who do not play volleyball, and Group 3 was made up of 24 healthy controls matched by age and weight to Group 2. The prevalence of contralateral knee OA in Groups 1 and 2 was assessed by questionnaire, physical examination, and radiographs, and was compared with findings for Group 3. RESULTS The rate of OA in all amputees (Groups 1 and 2 together) was 65.6%, which was significantly higher than among the controls (p < 0.05). The most common findings among the amputees were patellar and medial osteophytosis of the tibiofemoral joint, with a tendency to medial narrowing of the tibiofemoral joint space. CONCLUSION Traumatic amputees have a higher prevalence of OA in the knee of the nonamputated leg than matched healthy controls.
Influence of Motilin on Gastric Fundus Tone and on Meal-Induced Satiety in Man: Role of Cholinergic Pathways

BACKGROUND:Motilin agonists are strong gastroprokinetics, but their impact on symptoms in delayed gastric emptying has been disappointing. It has been speculated that it is due to the contractile effect of motilin agonists on the proximal stomach, but the pathway involved and the symptomatic consequences have been incompletely elucidated.AIMS:To study whether motilin enhances proximal stomach tone and enhances meal-induced satiety and to evaluate whether this effect involves a cholinergic pathway.METHODS:A gastric barostat was used to study, in healthy subjects, the effect of motilin (300 ng/kg/30 min IV) or saline on fasting gastric fundus tone and on post-prandial relaxation. To evaluate the involvement of a cholinergic pathway, atropine (12 μg/kg/h) was administered intravenously simultaneously with or before and during motilin infusion in the fasting state. Finally, a satiety drinking test was performed in 21 subjects twice after pretreatment with placebo or motilin and with placebo or atropine.RESULTS:Administration of motilin caused a significant increase of fasting fundus tone expressed as decrease of the mean balloon volume (324 ± 60 mL vs 213 ± 62 mL, p < 0.05). Simultaneous administration of atropine and motilin did not generate a significant volume change (192 ± 60 mL vs 181 ± 83 mL, NS), but pretreatment with atropine alone induced a relaxation, and when motilin was added this revealed an ongoing contraction (192 ± 24 mL vs 136 ± 21 mL, p≤ 0.05). Motilin infusion also inhibited gastric accommodation (p≤ 0.05 vs placebo) and increased satiety during a satiety drinking test (p≤ 0.05 vs placebo). CONCLUSIONS:Administration of motilin causes a contraction of the proximal stomach in humans and increases meal-induced satiety. The effect of motilin is atropine-resistant and involves a direct muscular pathway or a non-cholinergic neural pathway.
Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis

Abstract This article describes the history, rationale, and guidelines for developing a new definition of hypnosis by the Society of Psychological Hypnosis, Division 30 of the American Psychological Association. The definition was developed with the aim of being concise, heuristic, and allowing for alternative theories of the mechanisms (to be determined in empirical scientific study). The definition of hypnosis is presented as well as definitions of the following related terms: hypnotic induction, hypnotizability, and hypnotherapy. The implications for advancing research and practice are discussed. The definitions are presented within the article.
Maternal liver damage delays meiotic resumption in bovine oocytes through impairment of signalling cascades originated from low p38MAPK activity in cumulus cells.

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the delay in progression of nuclear maturation in oocytes derived from cows with damaged livers (DL cows), which was previously reported. In present study, delayed progression of nuclear maturation of oocytes derived from DL cows relative to oocytes derived from cows with healthy livers (HL cows) was accompanied by low maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity (0.43 fold, p < 0.05). When cumulus cells were removed from cumulus-oocyte complexes and the denuded oocytes were cultured, there was no difference in the progression of nuclear maturation between the two liver conditions. In addition, gap junctional communication (GJC) between the oocyte and cumulus cells was higher in DL cows than in HL cows at 3 and 7 h of in vitro maturation (IVM) (p < 0.05). Supplementation of IVM medium with epidermal growth factor (EGF) increased the ratio of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) of oocytes derived from DL cows to the level seen in oocytes derived from HL cows. Additionally, the level of p38MAPK phosphorylation at 0 h of IVM was significantly lower in cumulus cells derived from DL cows than in cumulus cells derived from HL cows (HL cows, 53.5%; DL cows, 28.9%; p < 0.05). Thus, a low level of p38MAPK phosphorylation in cumulus cells induced slow GJC closure between oocyte and cumulus cells, which resulted in slow meiotic maturation of oocytes derived from DL cows.
[Transfecting rat heart with human pacemaker gene in vivo to create a biological pacemaker].

OBJECTIVE To test the ability and safety of injecting the hHCN gene into the ventricle of intact rats to create a novel biological pacemaker and to explore the duration of the hHCN over-expression in vivo. METHODS Adenoviral constructs incorporating hHCN4 and green fluorescent protein (GFP) were subepicardially injected into the rats' left ventricular wall in situ (n = 10). Control group was injected with adenoviral constructs of GFP alone (n = 10). ECGs were recorded every day within the initial three days after operation. Up to seven days after injection, all rats were anesthetized and subjected to cervical vagal trunks stimulation to permit the emergence of escape rhythm. Then pace-mapping was performed by the hand-hold electrode. Finally, hearts were removed for histology and immunofluorescence study. RESULTS Ventricular arrhythmic events were not found during the first three days. During vagal stimulation, the rate of spontaneous rhythm in the hHCN4-injected group was significantly more rapid than that in the control group (69 bpm +/- 6 bpm vs 41 bpm +/- 10 bpm, P < 0.001). Pace-mapping confirmed the escape rhythm in the hHCN4-injected group was originated near the injection site. Immunofluorescence study showed the overexpression of hHCN4 on the site of injection. However, the duration of hHCN overexpression was no more than one month after injection. CONCLUSION The overexpression of hHCN4 provides ventricular escape rhythm with the physiologically acceptable rate. Long-term feasibility of this approach needs to be tested.
METHYL XANTHINES, ADENOSINE 3′,5′‐CYCLIC MONOPHOSPHATE AND THE SPINAL TRANSMISSION OF NOCICEPTIVE INFORMATION

1 In spinal cats anaesthetized with either α‐chloralose or sodium pentobarbitone, a study was made of the effects of adenosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP), mono‐ and di‐butyryl cyclic AMP and the methyl xanthines, theophylline and isobutyl methyl xanthine (IBMX), on the responses of neurones of laminae I, IV and V to noxious and innocuous skin stimuli. The compounds were administered from micropipettes positioned in the substantia gelatinosa. IBMX was also given intravenously. 2 When administered in the substantia gelatinosa, neither cyclic AMP, its butyryl derivatives, nor the methyl xanthines had any effect on the excitation of neurones of spinal laminae IV and V by noxious heating of the skin or deflection of hairs. When the nociceptive responses of cells had been reduced by electrophoretic morphine, methyl xanthines and cyclic AMP failed to modify the effects of morphine on these deeper neurones. Electrophoretically administered naloxone reversed the effect of morphine. 3 Intravenously administered IBMX (1 to 2 mg/kg) produced large transient increases in the firing rate of both C fibres and the excitation of dorsal horn neurones by noxious heating of the skin. These increases coincided with decreases in the mean systemic blood pressure, and probably resulted from increased temperatures being attained in the dermis by each noxious stimulus. When dorsal horn neurones were activated by electrical stimulation of the tibial nerve by a stimulus adequate to excite C fibres, intravenous IBMX produced a small or no increase in the number of spikes per stimulus. 4 These results in the spinal cord do not support the hypothesis that the inhibition of synthesis of cyclic AMP is relevant to the analgesic action of morphine in mammals.
Exploring entrepreneurial roles and identity in the United Kingdom and China

This article examines entrepreneurial identity in both the United Kingdom and China through the lenses of identity theory and social identity theory to develop a deeper and more holistic understanding of the concept of entrepreneurial identity. By examining the entrepreneur as both a role and an identity, this article explores how an entrepreneur views the role of the entrepreneur, the counter-roles to the entrepreneur, and the “self-as-entrepreneur” and seeks to understand how entrepreneurs construct their identity as an entrepreneur. By looking at the role identity in different social constructs, a more nuanced view of entrepreneurial identity can be uncovered for entrepreneurs in both the United Kingdom and China. The study argues that entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom use counter-roles to bridge the disconnect between their understanding of the entrepreneur-as-role and the self-as-entrepreneur, whereas entrepreneurs in China have less conflict reconciling the two and use the counter-role as a way to paint entrepreneurship as a “calling,” justifying their abandonment of other identities.
Mechanisms of deep brain stimulation: Excitation or inhibition

There is little debate that deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been an effective tool in the treatment of Parkinson's disease as well as other movement disorders. There remains however, considerable debate concerning the mechanism(s) underlying its beneficial effect. The comparable effect of stimulation to ablation in the thalamus on tremor, and in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) on the motor signs associated with PD, have led many investigators to conclude that DBS acts to suppress neuronal activity, decreasing output from the stimulated site. There are, however, data that do not support this argument. Microdialysis studies in GPi showed increased levels of glutamate during STN stimulation, suggesting activation of glutamatergic output from the STN to the GPi. Studies in parkinsonian primates have demonstrated increased mean discharge rates of neurons in GPi during chronic stimulation in STN, and GPi stimulation in humans has been associated with a suppression of neuronal activity in the thalamus. Contrary to what one would expect if stimulation inhibits output from the stimulated structure, stimulation in GPe has been demonstrated to improve bradykinesia. Although arguments for increased output from the stimulated structure seem to conflict with the hypothesis that stimulation acts to inhibit neuronal activity, it is possible to explain these observations through a common mechanism, e.g. activation of fiber pathways. Based on this mechanism, the effect of stimulation on cellular activity in the stimulated site would be increased or decreased dependent on the neurotransmitter of the afferent fibers projecting to that site. However, in addition to activation of afferent fibers, projection axons from neurons in the stimulated structure, also readily excitable by electrical stimulation, would also be tonically activated and discharge independently of the soma, thereby increasing output from the structure during extracellular stimulation. Thus, although high frequency stimulation may inhibit neurons via activation of inhibitory afferents, the output from that structure may be increased as the result of activation of axonal elements leaving the target structure. This hypothesis would explain the present experimental results, is consistent with excitability profiles of neuronal elements based on their biophysical properties, and fits with more recent models emphasizing the role of altered patterns of neuronal activity in the development of hypokinetic and hyperkinetic movement disorders. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Racial and ethnic health disparities: evidence of discrimination's effects across the SEP spectrum

Objectives. Perceived discrimination is a psychosocial stressor that plays a role in explaining racial/ethnic disparities in self-reported physical and mental health. The purpose of this paper is: (1) to investigate the association between perceived discrimination in receiving healthcare and racial/ethnic disparities in self-rated health status, physical, and emotional functional limitations among a diverse sample of California adults; (2) to assess whether discrimination effects vary by racial/ethnic group and gender; and (3) to evaluate how the effects of discrimination on health are manifest across the socioeconomic position (SEP) spectrum. Design. Data were drawn from the 2001 California Health Interview Survey adult file (n=55,428). The analytic approach employed multivariate linear and logistic regressions. Discrimination is qualitatively identified into two types: (1) discrimination due to race/ethnicity, language, or accent, and (2) other discrimination. Results. Findings show that both types of discrimination negatively influenced self-rated health, and were associated with a two to three-fold odds of limitations in physical and emotional health. Further, these effects varied by racial/ethnic group and gender, and the effects were mixed. Most notably, for emotional health, racial/ethnic discrimination penalized Latinas more than non-Latina Whites, but for physical health, other discrimination was less detrimental to Latinas than it was to non-Latina Whites. At higher levels of SEP, the effects of racial/ethnic discrimination on self-rated health and other discriminations' effects on physical health were attenuated. Discussion. Higher SEP may serve as an important mitigator, particularly when comparing the medium to the low SEP categories. It is also possible that SEP effects cannot be extracted from the relationships of interest in that SEP is an expression of social discrimination. In fact, negative health effects associated with discrimination are evident across the SEP spectrum. This study highlights the complexity of the relationships between discrimination and racial/ethnic identity, gender, and SEP.
Effect of rapamycin (RAPA) on the growth of lung cancer and its mechanism in mice with A549.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of rapamycin (RAPA) on the tumor growth of lung cancer in the mice bearing A549 and the mechanisms. METHODS 60 mice with A549 lung cancer models established were randomly divided into model group, low RAPA dose group and high RAPA dose group. The low dose group underwent intraperitoneal injection of 1.5 mg/kg RAPA, while the high dose group underwent intraperitoneal injection of 4.5 mg/kg RAPA, and the control group was given the same volume of PBS. 21 d after the administration, the changes of the tumor growth and survival rates of three groups were observed. RT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to analyze Caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels in the tumor tissues of the mice, and TUNEL staining method was used to analyze the cellular apoptosis of tumor tissues. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the low and high dose groups significantly inhibit tumor growth and have remarkably higher survival rates (P<0.05). The high dose group has obviously better effects on inhibiting tumors and a higher survival rate than low dose group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the low and high dose groups have significantly increased Caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels in tumor tissues (P<0.05), and higher cellular apoptosis rates in tumor tissues (P<0.05); Caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels and apoptosis rates of the mice's tumor tissues of high dose group are markedly higher than those of low dose group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS RAPA can significantly increase the expression of Caspase-3 in tumor tissues and promote the apoptosis of tumor tissue cells, and thus achieve good anti-tumor effects.