Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Optical monitoring of progressive synchronization in dentate granule cells during population burst activities

Monitoring multiple neurons is essential for understanding neuronal network activities. While calcium imaging from a population of cells is an effective method to study the network dynamics of a neural structure, it has been difficult to image from densely packed structures, such as the granule cell layer of the dentate gyrus, due to overlap of the cells. We have developed a novel method to label multiple granule cells with a Ca2+ indicator in rat hippocampal slices using Oregon Green 488 BAPTA‐1 (OGB‐1) AM. Synchronized burst activities (0.3–1.4 Hz), which were induced by applying 50 µm 4‐aminopyridine, were monitored extracellularly with a glass electrode placed at the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus. During the burst activities, spontaneously occurring action potential‐induced Ca2+ transients from multiple (4–12) granule cells were monitored with a cooled CCD camera with single‐cell resolution. Temporal structures of firing patterns from the multiple neurons were determined from Ca2+ transients. In each single‐burst‐event recorded from the extracellular electrode, each neuron fired synchronously within a 200 ms time window. The latency and its variance from the onset time of the single‐burst‐events to one of the Ca2+ transients decreased over time (< 7.5 min). These results indicate that the synchrony of the action potentials within a single‐burst‐event was enhanced as the burst activities proceeded. This progressive synchronization may be a key feature in making self‐organizing neuronal networks.
Determinanty zróżnicowań zachowań prosumenckich młodych konsumentów

Streszczenie: Pojęcie prosumpcji oznacza aktywność konsumentów świadomie skierowaną na zwiększanie wartości związanej z zakupem i użytkowaniem produktu. Zachowania prosumenckie obserwuje się także wśród młodych osób, a aktywne wykorzystywanie przez nie technologii informatycznej sprawia, że prosumpcja jest wśród młodzieży powszechna. Artykuł omawia uwarunkowania rozwoju prosumpcji oraz zakres i zróżnicowanie zachowań prosumenckich. W oparciu o przeprowadzone badania własne dokonano charakterystyki determinant zachowań prosumenckich młodzieży w wieku 14-19 lat. Biorąc pod uwagę stopień aktywności prosumenckiej młodzieży, wyodrębniono trzy skupienia. Nazwano je odpowiednio: Aktywni prosumenci, Poszukiwacze informacji oraz Leniwi.
Standard vs Modified Antiplatelet Preparation for Preventing Thromboembolic Events in Patients With High On-Treatment Platelet Reactivity Undergoing Coil Embolization for an Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE Thromboembolism is the most common complication in coiling for an unruptured aneurysm and is frequent in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) who are prescribed a standard antiplatelet preparation for its prevention. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of a modified antiplatelet preparation compared with a standard preparation in patients with HTPR undergoing coiling. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A prospective randomized open-label active-control trial with blinded outcome assessment at the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from May 27, 2013, to April 7, 2014. Patients with HTPR were randomly assigned (1 to 1) to the standard or modified preparation group. Patients without HTPR were assigned to the non-HTPR group. A total of 228 patients undergoing coiling for unruptured aneurysms were enrolled and allocated to the study, 126 in the HTPR group (63 to the standard preparation group and 63 to the modified preparation group) and 102 to the non-HTPR group. Intent-to-treat analysis was performed. INTERVENTIONS The modified preparation (HTPR to aspirin, 300 mg of aspirin and 75 mg of clopidogrel bisulfate; and HTPR to clopidogrel, 200 mg of cilostazol added to the standard regimen) was performed before coiling in the modified preparation group. Standard preparation (100 mg of aspirin and 75 mg of clopidogrel) was maintained in the standard preparation and non-HTPR groups. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was a thromboembolic event defined as thromboembolism during coiling and a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke within 7 days after coiling. The principal secondary outcome was a bleeding complication according to Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction bleeding criteria within 30 days after coil embolization. RESULTS The thromboembolic event rate was low in the modified preparation group (1 of 63 [1.6%]) compared with the standard preparation group (7 of 63 [11.1%]; adjusted risk difference, -11.7% [95% CI, -21.3% to -2.0%]; P = .02), which had a higher thromboembolic risk than the non-HTPR group (1 of 102 [1.0%]; adjusted risk difference, 8.6% [95% CI, 1.0% to 16.3%]; P = .03). All bleeding complications were of minimal grade according to Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction bleeding criteria. The bleeding rate was not different between the modified (6 of 63 [9.5%]) and standard (4 of 63 [6.3%]) preparation groups (adjusted risk difference, 5.6% [95% CI, -4.2% to 15.4%]; P = .26). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Modified antiplatelet preparation for patients with HTPR compared with standard antiplatelet preparation reduced the thromboembolic event rate in coiling for an unruptured aneurysm without increasing bleeding. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0000804.
Clonidine and Lidocaine Inhibition of Isoflurane-induced Tachycardia in Humans

Background:A rapid increase in isoflurane concentration can induce tachycardia and hypertension and increase plasma catecholamine concentrations. To investigate a possible mechanism, we measured hemodynamic responses to isoflurane administered via mask; we also administered clonidine for premedication, lidocaine topically to the nasal mucosa, or lidocaine intravenously to evaluate the effect of these drugs on the hemodynamic responses. Methods:Forty ASA physical status 1 patients (aged 20-30 yr) scheduled for elective oral surgery participated in the study. Thirty patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups: a control group, a group receiving 3-4 µg · kg-1 of oral clonidine for premedicatlon, and a group receiving 2 ml of 4% lidocaine spray to the nasal mucosa. Ten patients were assigned nonrandomly to a group receiving intravenous lidocaine continuously (0.4 mg · kg-1 bolus followed by 30 µg · kg-1 · min-1 ) after the initial randomized experiments were done to test whether systemic lidocaine blunts the responses to inhaled isoflurane. Anesthesia was induced with thlamylal, after which inhalation of 1% isoflurane in 100% oxygen via mask was begun. The inspired concentration of isoflurane was increased by 1% every 5 min to a maximum of 4%. During normocapnia and without surgical stimulation, heart rate and systolic blood pressure were measured every minute for 20 min before and during isoflurane inhalation. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured before and at each isoflurane concentration. Results:In the control and Intravenous lidocaine groups, an increase in isoflurane concentration from 2% to 3% significantly increased systolic blood pressure (peak changes of 16 ± 5 and 15 ± 6 mmHg, respectively) and heart rate (peak changes of 23 ± 3 and 13 ± 4 beats · min -1, respectively). A change in concentration to 4%, however, did not significantly alter hemodynamics. Blood pressure and heart rate responses to a change to 3% Isoflurane were significantly blunted in the groups receiving clonidine (peak changes of 4 ± 4 mmHg and 8 ± 3 beats · min-1, respectively) or nasal lidocaine (peak changes of 2 ± 1 mmHg and 4 ± 2 beats · min-1, respectively) compared with the control group. In all groups, plasma epinephrine and norepinephrlne concentrations increased after administration of 2% and 1% Isoflurane, respectively. Plasma lidocaine concentrations were 0.3-1.3 µg · kg-1 in the nasal lidocaine group and 0.6-1.5 µg · kg-1 in the intravenous lidocaine group. Conclusions:Stepwise increases in isoflurane concentration elicited hypertension and tachycardia as well as increments in plasma catecholamine concentrations during mask anesthesia. Nasal administration of lidocaine and clonidine premedicatlon significantly blunted the circulatory responses to isoflurane. intravenous lidocaine did not significantly weaken the responses to changes in isoflurane concentration.
Low-intermediate dose testosterone replacement therapy by different pharmaceutical preparations improves frailty score in elderly hypogonadal hyperglycaemic patients

Abstract An open-label follow-up study of low-to-intermediate dose testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) was conducted in 64 overweight patients (aged 65–75 years) with late onset hypogonadism (LOH) and increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG). Patients were subdivided into four treatment groups: oral testosterone (T) (T undecanoate, 80 mg/d), transmucosal T (60 mg/d), transdermal T (30 mg/d) or no treatment (control), and evaluated at 0 and 6 months. FPG, hemoglobin (Hb), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and total T were measured and the Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, fitness level (6-min walking test), Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) scale, handgrip strength and energy expenditure with physical activity (Minnesota questionnaire for Leisure Time Physical Activity (LTPA)) were evaluated and a “frailty score” (based on: grip strength, gait speed and LTPA) was calculated. T levels increased in all treatment groups; the oral T group had values still in the hypogonadal range (5.9 ± 1.1 nmol/L). PSA and Hb concentrations did not change in any group. BMI, waist circumference, FPG and HOMA-IR improved in all T-treated groups after 6 months, with a greater effect seen with transmucosal and transdermal T compared with oral T. This study indicates that low-to-intermediate dose TRT may be safely utilized in LOH patients to ameliorate somatic and psychological frailty symptoms in association with improved anthropometric and glycometabolic parameters in aging, overweight men with LOH and impaired fasting glucose.
Dynamic Characterization of Upconversion in Highly Er-Doped Silica Photonic Crystal Fibers

Measurements of time evolution of amplified spontaneous emission for square-wave modulated pump were made on a highly erbium-doped silica photonic crystal fiber and fitted to theoretical results calculated using different formalisms to describe the <formula formulatype="inline"><tex Notation="TeX">${\rm Er}^{3+}$</tex></formula>-ion migration-assisted co-operative upconversion mechanism in the population densities rate equations. The determined characterization parameters are the constant homogeneous upconversion coefficient, 3.0 <formula formulatype="inline"> <tex Notation="TeX">$\times 10^{-24}~{\rm m}^{3}/{\rm s}$</tex></formula>, the critical radii for upconversion and migration, 10.5 and 14Å, respectively, and the rate of clustered ions, 14%. These parameters are analysed and compared to those obtained with continuous-wave pump characterization techniques. Although similar values are obtainable for many parameters using steady-state and dynamic characterization techniques, if a careful enough modelling is carried out, dynamic techniques are preferable to assess the presence of pair-induced quenching.
Carbon monoxide, but not endothelin-1, plays a major role for the hepatic microcirculation in a murine model of early systemic inflammation

Objective:Endothelin-1 and carbon monoxide play a major role in the regulation of liver microcirculation in numerous disease states. During sepsis and endotoxemia, elevated formation of endothelin-1 results in reduced sinusoidal blood flow. However, the role of carbon monoxide and endothelin-1 and its receptors endothelin receptor A and endothelin receptor B in the deranged liver microcirculation during early systemic inflammation remains unclear. Design:Prospective, randomized, controlled experiment. Setting:University animal laboratory. Subjects:Male C57/BL6 mice, weighing 23–27 g. Interventions:To induce a systemic inflammation, mice were treated with 1 hr of bilateral hind limb ischemia followed by 3 hrs or 6 hrs of reperfusion. Animals were randomly exposed to the nonselective endothelin receptor antagonist Ro-61-6612 (Tezosentan) and/or a continuous endothelin-1 infusion. Different animals were randomized to methylene chloride gavage or carbon monoxide inhalation during the reperfusion period. Measurements and Main Results:After ischemia/reperfusion, endothelin-1 plasma concentrations, endothelin-1 messenger RNA expression, and endothelin receptor A and B messenger RNA expression revealed no significant changes when compared with sham animals. After 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion, hepatic microcirculatory variables (sinusoidal density, sinusoidal diameter, and red blood cell velocity) deteriorated. Tezosentan after 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion did not improve the liver microcirculation, whereas the continuous infusion of endothelin-1 after 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion further impaired sinusoidal blood flow. Tezosentan treatment did not produce any alterations in hepatocellular injury or hepatic redox status when compared with the untreated animals receiving 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion. Animals receiving 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion and exposed to methylene chloride gavage or inhaled carbon monoxide during limb reperfusion showed significantly improved microcirculatory variables, hepatic redox status, and attenuated hepatocellular injury. Conclusions:These data suggest that endothelin-1 and the endothelin receptors A and B are not responsible for the observed hepatic microcirculatory and cellular dysfunction during early systemic inflammation, but exposure to exogenous carbon monoxide protected the hepatic microcirculation and improved the impaired hepatic cellular integrity and the hepatocellular redox status.
Contracting communities: Conceptualizing Community Benefits Agreements to improve citizen involvement in urban development projects

Contractual agreements are becoming increasingly important for city governments seeking to manage urban development. Contractual governance involves direct relations between the local state and different public and private actors and citizens. Although abundant literature exists on public–private partnerships related to urban development projects, agreements made between citizens, interest organizations and market parties, such as Community Benefits Agreements remain under-explored and under-theorized. While it may seem that the state is absent from contemporary forms of contractual governance, such agreements remain highly intertwined with government policies. The central aim of this paper is to better conceptualize Community Benefits Agreement practices in order to build understanding of how contractual governance caters for direct end-user involvement in urban development, and to yield insights into its potential as to render development processes more inclusive. Based on academic literature in planning and law, expert interviews and several case studies in New York City, this paper conceptualizes end-user involvement in urban development projects and innovates within urban planning and governance theory through the use of two new concepts—project collectivity and the image of a fourth chair.
Predictive value of S-100β protein for prognosis in patients with moderate and severe traumatic brain injury: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives To determine the ability and accuracy of the S-100β protein in predicting prognosis after a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies. Data sources Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, BIOSIS (from their inception to April 2012), conference abstracts, bibliographies of eligible articles, and relevant narrative reviews. Study selection Two reviewers independently reviewed citations and selected eligible studies, defined as cohort studies or randomised control trials including patients with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury and evaluating the prognostic value of S-100β protein. Outcomes evaluated were mortality, score on the Glasgow outcome scale, or brain death. Data extraction Two independent reviewers extracted data using a standardised form and evaluated the methodological quality of included studies. Pooled results were presented with geometric means ratios and analysed with random effect models. Prespecified sensitivity analyses were performed to explain heterogeneity. Results The search strategy yielded 9228 citations. Two randomised controlled trials and 39 cohort studies were considered eligible (1862 patients). Most studies (n=23) considered Glasgow outcome score ≤3 as an unfavourable outcome. All studies reported at least one measurement of S-100β within 24 hours after traumatic brain injury. There was a significant positive association between S-100β protein concentrations and mortality (12 studies: geometric mean ratio 2.55, 95% confidence interval 2.02 to 3.21, I2=56%) and score ≤3 (18 studies: 2.62, 2.01 to 3.42, I2=79%). Sensitivity analysis based on sampling time, sampling type, blinding of outcome assessors, and timing of outcome assessment yielded similar results. Thresholds for serum S-100β protein values with 100% specificity ranged from 1.38 to 10.50 µg/L for mortality (six studies) and from 2.16 to 14.00 µg/L for unfavourable neurological prognosis as defined by the Glasgow outcome score. Conclusions After moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, serum S-100β protein concentrations are significantly associated with unfavourable prognosis in the short, mid, or long term. Optimal thresholds for discrimination remain unclear. Measuring the S-100β protein could be useful in evaluating the severity of traumatic brain injury and in the determination of long term prognosis in patients with moderate and severe injury.
Online distributed synchronizability check for networks of interconnected systems

The synchronization problem of a network of interconnected systems has been deeply analyzed by the scientific community. In the case of identical systems, under suitable hypotheses, the synchronization depends on the network topology, and specifically on the ratio between the second smallest eigenvalue (algebraic connectivity) and spectral radius of the Laplacian matrix corresponding to the network topology. In this paper a distributed algorithm for the estimation of such a ratio is given, hence providing a distributed synchronizability check for networks of interconnected systems. Simulations results are provided to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Long-Run Determinants and Short-Run Dynamics of the Trade Balance in the EU-15 Countries

Several studies have analyzed the long-run determinants of current account balances using panel cointegration techniques. In this paper we will study both the long-run determinants and the short-run dynamics of the trade balances in the EU-15 countries. We will analyze each country separately and decompose the aggregate trade balance into the intra balance (trade balance vis-a-vis euro area) and the extra balance (trade balance vis-a-vis the rest of the world). Overall, our results suggest that there are significant differences in the long-run relations across the EU-15 countries which might be overlooked in the panel cointegration studies. In most of the countries there is a long-run cointegration relation between the trade balance, real effective exchange rate, domestic GDP and foreign GDP, but in many cases the coefficient of the trade balance variable is statistically insignificant in the relation. Our results on the short-run dynamics indicate that in general the aggregate trade balance cannot be adjusted by expenditure-switching or expenditure-reducing policies.
Deflating Inflation Expectations: The Implications of Inflation's Simple Dynamics

This report examines the behavior of inflation in the United States since 1984 (updating Cecchetti et al. (2007)). Over this period, the change in inflation is negatively serially correlated, and the change in inflation is best predicted by a statistical model that includes only information from the two most recent quarters. We find that the level of inflation fluctuates around a slowly changing trend that we call the local mean of inflation. Few variables add extra explanatory power for inflation once the local mean is taken into account. This local mean is itself well characterized by a random walk. Labor market slack has a statistically significant, but quantitatively small, effect on the local mean and inflation expectations have no effect. Some financial conditions that are influenced by monetary policy have larger effects on the local mean. Concretely, this means that one-off moves in labor market slack or inflation expectations that are not mirrored in broader indicators of inflation pressures are unlikely to be predictive of changes in trend inflation.
Exploring the Use of Social Media and Its Effect on Policy in Community Colleges

Exploring the Use of Social Media and Its Effect on Policy in Community Colleges Shirley Dianne Davis The use of online social media websites has grown exponentially in past years. Recent studies show faculty use of social media is also growing. This study examined how faculty are using social media websites with students and if they are aware of issues that violations of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act could cause. The research questions were: How are faculty using social media for teacher-student communication; Are there privacy concerns faculty should be aware of because of the Federal Education Rights to Privacy Act; and what social media is being use by faculty to communicate with students. Participants were faculty, both full time and adjuncts, in a Mid-Atlantic community college that also offers four-year degrees. A modifiedDelphi was used to collect the data. This study was looking to identify commonalities in faculty use of social media. The first survey was sent to all faculty at the institution. A second survey was sent to all those that responded to the original survey. The third and final “survey” was an email chat with faculty that answered yes to two out of five questions regarding the use of social media currently with students. Findings indicate that faculty are using social media to communicate with their students; faculty are aware of FERPA but they do not always know what constitutes a FERPA violation. The outcomes of this study can help administrators make more informed decisions regarding policies concerning faculty and student use of social media. EXPLORING SOCIAL MEDIA IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES iii