Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traces of a Trauma Pharmacological Interventions of PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by exaggerated trauma-related memories (contextual fear), increased avoidance of trauma-related cues, and hyperarousal. Pharmacotherapy of PTSD is still unsatisfactory, with SSRIs being the first choice drugs. However, as known for depressed patients, PTSD patients are prone for relapse of symptoms upon discontinuation of treatment. This urges for a refinement of therapeutic interventions and the identification of markers of treatment success. These issues were addressed in our mouse model of PTSD. In this model, mice are exposed to a brief, inescapable electric foot shock. Within 1 month after the trauma, they developed PTSD-like symptoms such as generalized contextual fear, generalized avoidance, and increased hyperarousal symptomatology. This time frame allows for pharmacological interventions during maturation of PTSD-like symptoms (i.e. preventive treatment) or at time points when the symptoms have fully developed (i.e. therapeutic treatment). The work presented in this thesis revealed the following key findings: (1) Fear incubation (i.e. simply the passage of time after trauma) was accompanied by highly selective changes in neuronal activity, as assessed by cytochrome c oxidase (CO) activity >1 month after trauma. (2) Chronic treatment with fluoxetine via drinking water starting either right after the trauma (preventive treatment) or 28 days later (therapeutic treatment) completely reversed the PTSD-like symptoms assessed during ongoing treatment 1 (preventive treatment) or 2 months (therapeutic treatment) after trauma. (3) Despite the similarities to PTSD-like symptoms, preventive treatment with fluoxetine abolished most of the trauma-related changes in CO activity, whereas those changes were maintained after therapeutic intervention. (4) If fluoxetine was washed out after 1 month of treatment, PTSD-like symptoms remained absent following preventive treatment, but re-occurred after therapeutic treatment. In conclusion, these data suggest preventive treatment with fluoxetine starting in the early aftermath of a trauma as a successful intervention strategy for preventing the development of PTSD-like symptoms. In contrast, therapeutic treatment abolishes the expression of symptoms, without curative effects. Chronic changes in CO activity reflect traces of a trauma. They might serve as an indicator of PTSD relapse.
Music intervals in speech: Psychological disposition modulates ratio precision among interlocutors’ nonlocal f0 production in real-time dyadic conversation

Drawing on the notion of musical intervals, recent studies have demonstrated the use of precise frequency ratios within human vocalisation. Methodologically, these studies have addressed human vocalisation at an individual level. In the present study, we asked whether patterns such as musical intervals can also be found among the voices of people engaging in a conversation as an emerging interpersonal phenomenon. Fifty-six participants were randomly paired and assigned to either a control or a low-trust condition. Frequency ratios were generated by juxtaposing nonlocal fundamental frequency (f0) productions from two people engaged in each given dyadic conversation. Differences were found among conditions, both in terms of interval distribution and precision. These results support the idea that psychological dispositions modulate the musical intervals generated between participants through mutual real-time vocal accommodation. They also underscore the inter-domain use of musical intervals.
Effect of Aqueous Extract of Physalis Alkekengi Fruits on the Activity of Ovarian 3beta- and 20alpha-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases in Late Pregnancy in Rat

Background: Aqueous extract of winter cherry ( Physalis alkekengi L; family of Solanaceae) fruits (WCF) has long been recommended for fertility control by herbalists in Iran. The effect of this extract on lowering serum progesterone levels has been reported previously. Objective: To study the effects of WCF extract on the activities of ovarian 3 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) responsible for the synthesis of progesterone and 20α-HSD responsible for its degradation in rats. Methods: One ml aliquots of the aqueous extract of WCF (containing 400 mg of dried extract) were intraperitoneally injected for 8 consecutive days to rats from day 8 of pregnancy. Rats were then sacrificed 21 days and 11 hours after the day of observing sperm positive vaginal smears. Blood was collected for the determination of serum progesterone and the total and the live numbers of embryos were counted. Ovaries were also used for the measurement of the activities of 3βand 20α-HSD. Results: The extract of WCF decreased the ovarian 3 β-HSD specific activity by 47%, serum progesterone concentration by 30% and the number of live embryos by 67%, but it had no effect on the specific activity of ovarian 20α-HSD. Conclusion: The aqueous extract of WCF, containing steroidal compounds with known estrogen antagonistic properties, probably interferes with the function of estradiol in inducing ovarian 3 β-HSD synthesis. It may also contain components which inhibit this enzyme, thus reducing progesterone synthesis that is required for maintaining pregnancy. Such natural compounds, if purified, might be beneficial for control of fertility. Iran J Med Sci 2004; 29(4): 175-179.
Customer Equity: An Integral Part of Financial Reporting

Recent initiatives demand information that supplements and complements a firm's financial statements to bridge the gap between financial statement capabilities and financial reporting objectives. Such information assists investors' decision making by explaining the main trends and factors that underlie the development, performance, and position of the firm's business. Firms that aim to increase the value of their customer base should report forward-looking customer metrics because such reports align customer management with corporate goals and investors' perspectives. The authors propose a means to report customer equity that enables investors—the “consumers” of financial reports—to monitor firms' performance with respect to their customer assets. Furthermore, they develop a specific model for Netflix and apply it to quarterly data from September 2001 to September 2006.
Cross-frequency coupling and sleep-dependent declarative memory consolidation: sleep states as opponent processes

Cross-frequency coupling (CFC) binds neuronal oscillations in sleep and wake, but the mnemonic function of these interactions remains unclear. We recorded scalp electroencephalography from 10 human participants while they slept following a declarative word pair learning task or a non-learning control task. In non rapid-eye-movement sleep (NREMS), delta-sigma phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) was marginally increased in central regions after learning, and its learning-related change in frontal regions was strongly predictive of recall performance the next morning. We observed opposite effects for CFC in rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS). Delta- and theta-gamma PAC were still significantly increased after learning at fronto-central locations, but the frontal increase was negatively correlated with subsequent recall performance. Importantly, characteristics of the coupled oscillations (delta/slow waves and sigma/spindles in NREMS, and delta, theta and gamma in REMS) showed no learning-related effect. Only their synchronization was mnemonically significant. We propose that NREMS and REMS are opponent processes in their effect on declarative memory consolidation. Whereas NREMS integrates new memories to the knowledge network and stabilizes learned associations through temporally ordered thalamo-cortico-hippocampal reactivations, REMS brings out weak links and encodes them through hippocampo-cortical delta- and theta-gamma PAC, thus weakening the accuracy of waking memories. This interplay is analogous to the trade-off between exploration and exploitation in decision-making research and artificial intelligence.
Towards Emotionally Adapted Games

In this paper, we present a framework for a gaming personalization system to systematically facilitate desired emotional states of individual players of games. Psychological Customization entails personalization of the way of presenting information (user interface, visual layouts, modalities, narrative structures and other factors) per user or user group to create desired transient psychological effects and states, such as emotion, attention, involvement, presence, persuasion and learning. By varying the form of information presented in a game in an emotionally intelligent way it may be possible to achieve such effects. Theory, key concepts, available empiric evidence and an example of an application area in emotional gaming as well as a basic system design are presented.
High Trend Inflation and Passive Monetary Detours

According to the long-run Taylor principle (Davig and Leeper, 2007), a central bank can deviate to a passive monetary policy and still obtain equilibrium uniqueness if a sufficiently aggressive monetary policy is expected for the future. Does this principle hold true when both monetary and fiscal policies can switch between active and passive and there is positive trend inflation? We find that passive monetary detours are no longer possible when trend inflation is high, whatever fiscal policy is in place. This has important policy implications in terms of flexibility and monetary-fiscal authorities coordination.
Influence of pedometers on habitual physical activity patterns in patients with vascular disease

Background: Pedometers are used to measure physical activity and motivate individuals to be more active. Little is known regarding the impact of the conditions when issuing a pedometer. We explored the influence of pedometers on daily physical activity in patients with cardiovascular disease, with and without additional information, direction, or encouragement. Methods: Subjects included males (n=45) and females (n=5) (mean age 70.9 ± 7.4 years) with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease from the AAA STOP trial. The No Contact (NC) group (n=25) was mailed a packet containing a pedometer, 12 monthly log sheets, and 12 postage‐paid return envelopes, but no letter or instructions. Interviews were conducted after 12 months. The Exercise Treatment (ET) group (n=25) received their pedometers at their first study visit; the pedometers were set up for each individual and goals were discussed. Additionally, they received weekly follow‐up and reminders to use their pedometers and increase their daily physical activity. Results: Twelve of the 25 (48%) NC subjects returned ≥6 monthly logs. Energy expenditure significantly differed between the NC and ET groups at both the 12‐month (1331.8 ± 244.1 kcals/week vs. 2357.3 ± 369.6 kcals/week, respectively, p=0.02) and 24‐month follow‐up (1053.6 ± 227.3 kcals/week vs. 2371.9 ± 434.6 kcals/week respectively, p=0.01). Only 8% (2/25) in the NC group changed their exercise routine due to the pedometer, while 16% (4/25) increased their exercise volume due to wearing the pedometer. Conclusions: Receiving a pedometer did not aid in increasing daily physical activity in adults with vascular disease. Education, goal setting, and encouragement are needed to supplement the use of a pedometer to increase energy expenditure.
Biofilm formation and antimicrobial susceptibility Pattern of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from wound infection

Objective: MRSA poses a great risk to wound patients with pot ential to cause significant mortality and morbidity in human population due to the development of biofilm. So the present study was undertaken with the aim t o know the prevalence of different microorganism from wound, to know the biofilm formation and the antimicrobial resistant pattern of MRSA strains. Materials & Methods: The prospective study was carried out in the depart ment of Microbiology during the period of July 2012 to Dece mber 2013.Total of 85 MRSA isolated from clinical samples were identified by standard microbiological techniq ues and the isolates were further tested for biofil m formation and Antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer disc-diffusion method as per CLSI guidelines. Result: Among 290 wound sample received, culture was positive in 230 (79.31%). The common pathogens were MRSA 85(32.44%), MSSA 60(22.90%), E.coli 25(9.54%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 24(9.16%). Higher prevalence was noted in Obgy (38.82%) followed by surgery (17.65%), Skin (16.47%), ICU(9.41%), Orthopedics(7.06%), Medicine(4.71%), OPD(3.53%), Paediatric (2.35%),Of 85 MRSA, biofilm formation was observed in 70 (82.35%). Strong biofilm formation in 42(49.41%), weak biofil m formation in 28(32.94%) and negative biofilm formation in 15(17.65%). In our study the Antimicrobial resistan ce pattern in strong biofilm forming MRSA isolates when compared to biofilm non producers was for Amikacin 57.14%/ 26.67%, Erythromycin 73.80%/ 26.67%, Clindamycin 66.67%/ 20%, Ciprofloxacin 90.47%/46.67%, Gentamycin 88.09%/46.67%, Fusidic acid 35.71%/6.67%, Mupirocin 14.28%/6.67%. No resistance was noted to Linezolid and Teicoplanin Conclusions: Early identification and adopting efficient control protocol against biofilm forming MRSA can be one of the essential steps towards the prevention of the most serious nosocomial infections.
Estimating larger carnivore numbers from track counts and measurements

Knowing the abundance of larger carnivores is critical for their conservation management. However, direct assessment of carnivore numbers is often difficult, expensive and time-consuming, leaving indirect sampling as a valid and feasible alternative. Indirect census techniques have proved to be cost-effective, repeatable and objective. We therefore estimated the numbers of six larger carnivore species in a relatively small area in northern South Africa, comparing three indirect sampling methods based on track counts and measurements: (i) a qualitative approach, whereby individuals were subjectively identified by comparing differences in track measurements; (ii) a quantitative approach using the strong linear correlation of track density with carnivore density found in other studies; and (iii) a quantitative approach applying repeated measures analysis of variance and post-tests to the track measurement data, in order to test statistically for differences in track sets. All three methods provided similar results that appear to be reasonable and which might be an indication of the real number of larger carnivores that occur in the study area. These results support the reliability of indirect estimates of larger carnivore numbers based on tracking data, which is promising for future research and conservation efforts involving these animals. Resume Avoir conscience de l‘abondance des grands carnivores est tres important pour la gestion de leur conservation. Cependant, l’evaluation directe des nombres de carnivores est souvent difficile, necessitant beaucoup d'argent et de temps, ce qui importe que l’echantillonnage indirect est une alternative fiable et valable. Les techniques de recensement a distance se sont montrees economiques, renouvelables, et objectives. Nous avons donc estime le nombre de grands carnivores de six especes dans une superficie assez petite au nord de l'Afrique du Sud, en comparant trois methodes d’echantillonnage basees sur des decomptes des traces et mesures: (i) une approche qualitative, ou les individus furent identifies de maniere subjective en etudiant les differences dans les mesures des traces; (ii) une approche quantitative qui se sert de la forte correlation lineaire de la densite des traces a la densite des carnivores demontree dans d'autres etudes; et (iii) une approche quantitative qui impliquent des analyses repetees de la variance et des post-enquetes sur les mesures des traces afin de disposer des donnees statistiques pour identifier les differences entre des services des traces. Les trois methodes fournirent des resultats comparables qui semblent raisonnables et qui peuvent etre une bonne indication du vrai nombre de grands carnivores dans la zone de l’etude. Les resultats etayent la fiabilite des estimations indirectes de l'abondance de grands carnivores bases sur les donnees des traces, et sont prometteurs pour des futures recherches et pour la conservation de ces animaux.
Given the Demographics of Emotional Divorce of Spouses – How to Minimize It, Using Structural Equation Modeling: A Case Study in Egypt

This study identifies eight factors: age, gender, education, occupation, place of residence, duration of marriage, number of previous marriages and number of children within the marriage, which can affect the occurrence of emotional divorce. These eight factors are explored through nine dimensions: emotional, intellectual, social-recreational, psychological, temporal, sexual, spiritual, physical and economic. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis and path diagrams are used to extract emotional divorce from the eight factors. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is run to verify the above factor structure and evaluate the influence of each variable on emotional divorce. The corresponding beta coefficients in the regression equations reveal that education is the most dominant predictor of emotional divorce, with a 5% level of significance. It is equally predominant through seven of the nine dimensions (all excluding temporal). It is concluded that demographic factors such as age, gender and education levels play an important role in people’s day-to-day lives, particularly within marriages.
The effects of mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor activation on in vitro prolactin secretion by anterior pituitary cells of cyclic gilts

Prolactin is a pituitary hormone with a wide range of activities, including its involvement in the control of reproductive processes, related to the oestrous cycle, pregnancy and lactation (Freeman et al., 2000; Dusza and Ciereszko, 2007; Ignacak et al., 2012). In pigs, prolactin secretion during the oestrous cycle is altered. During the luteal phase, the plasma prolactin concentration is low, in the late luteal/early follicular phases characteristic and relatively short pulses correlated with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) surges are observed, and during the preovulatory period substantial increase in its secretion occurs (Dusza and Krzymowska, 1979; Brinkley, 1981; Van de Wiel et al., 1981; Dusza et al., 1988). A key role in the regulation of prolactin secretion is played by dopamine and thyreoliberin (TRH) ABSTRACT. The aim of the study was to determine an in vitro effect of specific agonists of opioid receptors on basal prolactin secretion and in the presence of dopamine or thyreoliberin (TRH) by porcine anterior pituitary cells. The cells were isolated from anterior pituitaries of gilts on days 8–10, 15–17 and 19–21 of the oestrous cycle and submitted to in vitro culture with mu-, deltaand kappaopioid receptor agonists – FK 33-824, DPLPE and U 50,488, respectively. Differentiated effects of the opioid agonists on prolactin secretion by isolated pituitary cells of gilts in chosen days of the oestrous cycle were shown. In the midluteal phase (days 8–10), a reduced prolactin secretion was demonstrated after activation of mu-, deltaand kappa-opioid receptors under all tested conditions. In the early follicular phase (days 15–17), the activation of mu-, deltaand kappa-opioid receptors increased prolactin secretion under basal conditions, as well as muand delta-opioid receptors – in the presence of TRH, but the stimulation of muand kappa-opioid receptors reduced the hormone secretion in the presence of dopamine. In the late follicular phase (days 19–21), kappa-opioid receptor agonist stimulated prolactin secretion under all tested conditions. The activation of muand delta-opioid receptors increased prolactin secretion under basal conditions and in the presence of dopamine, but decreased – in the presence of TRH. The results suggest a possibility of diverse participation of endogenous opioids, depending on stage of the oestrous cycle, in the modulation of prolactin secretion at the pituitary level in gilts during the oestrous cycle. Received: 19 January 2018 Revised: 26 April 2018 Accepted: 8 June 2018
Kaupunki-ilman pienhiukkasten terveysvaikutukset

Duodecim 2004;120:1645–52 U lkoilman pienhiukkasten on tiedetty jo pitkaan olevan vaarallisia ihmisen terveydelle. Esimerkiksi joulukuussa 1952 Lontoossa oli poikkeuksellisen pitkaan tyynta ja talojen lammityksessa kaytetyn kivihiilen savu keraantyi Lontoon ylle sakeaksi savusumuksi. Tata kesti noin viisi paivaa, ja vahintaan 4 000 ihmisen arvioidaan kuolleen savusumun takia. Erityisesti kuolleisuus hengityselinsairauksiin seka sydanja verisuonitauteihin lisaantyi. Savusumuepisodin jalkeen kivihiilen kaytto talojen takoissa kiellettiin Lontoossa. Suomessakin siirtyminen pois talokohtaisesta lammityksesta on parantanut merkittavasti kaupunki-ilmaa (kuva 1). Vilkas tutkimus hiukkasten terveysvaikutuksista alkoi uudelleen 1990-luvulla, kun uudet seurantatutkimukset ja aikasarjatutkimukset uusin tilastollisin menetelmin osoittivat, etta ulkoilman pienhiukkasilla on merkittavia terveysvaikutuksia niinkin pienina pitoisuuksina, joita esimerkiksi meilla Suomessa esiintyy. Nykyaan arvioidaankin, etta Keski-Euroopassa jopa 6 % kaikista kuolemista johtuu pienhiukkasista (Kunzli ym. 2000). Pienhiukkasten pitoisuuksia, ominaisuuksia ja altistumista on kasitelty tarkemmin toisaalla (Pekkanen 2002a).
Landsat-Based Detection and Severity Analysis of Burned Sugarcane Plots in Tarlac, Philippines Using Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR)

Abstract. The Philippines has a booming sugarcane industry contributing about PHP 70 billion annually to the local economy through raw sugar, molasses and bioethanol production (SRA, 2012). Sugarcane planters adapt different farm practices in cultivating sugarcane, one of which is cane burning to eliminate unwanted plant material and facilitate easier harvest. Information on burned sugarcane extent is significant in yield estimation models to calculate total sugar lost during harvest. Pre-harvest burning can lessen sucrose by 2.7% - 5% of the potential yield (Gomez, et al 2006; Hiranyavasit, 2016). This study employs a method for detecting burn sugarcane area and determining burn severity through Differenced Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) using Landsat 8 Images acquired during the late milling season in Tarlac, Philippines. Total burned area was computed per burn severity based on pre-fire and post-fire images. Results show that 75.38% of the total sugarcane fields in Tarlac were burned with post-fire regrowth; 16.61% were recently burned; and only 8.01% were unburned. The monthly dNBR for February to March generated the largest area with low severity burn (1,436 ha) and high severity burn (31.14 ha) due to pre-harvest burning. Post-fire regrowth is highest in April to May when previously burned areas were already replanted with sugarcane. The maximum dNBR of the entire late milling season (February to May) recorded larger extent of areas with high and low post-fire regrowth compared to areas with low, moderate and high burn severity. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to analyse vegetation dynamics between the burn severity classes. Significant positive correlation, rho = 0.99, was observed between dNBR and dNDVI at 5% level (p = 0.004). An accuracy of 89.03% was calculated for the Landsat-derived NBR validated using actual mill data for crop year 2015-2016.