Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An exploration of self-disgust in females with eating disorders

Abstract Background and Aims: Research suggests that the emotion of disgust plays a role in psychological distress associated with eating, body shape and weight related concerns, though evidence is inconsistent. Recent theoretical and empirical literature have highlighted the potential relevance of the emotion of disgust towards the self (i.e. self-disgust) in various presentations of psychological distress. However, research in this area remains in its infancy. This study aimed to build on emerging research by employing a qualitative approach to gain more of an understanding of the perspectives of women who experience psychological distress associated with eating, body shape and weight. Method: Eight semi-structured interviews were conducted with women with an eating disorder diagnosis. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four main themes were developed: the interpersonal and sociocultural context of self-disgust, self-disgust as both transient and enduring, self-disgust as a complex emotional experience, and the on-going struggle to protect the self. The findings highlight how self-disgust appears to be understood as emerging in the context of being harshly judged and treated in relation to one’s body weight and shape, and not fitting in societal expectations regarding body size. Self-disgust also appeared to be understood as having trait and state-like components as well as cognitive-affective aspects congruent with an emotion schema, and be experienced in conjunction with other emotions. Participants appeared to employ a number of strategies to manage feelings of self-disgust, including calming breathing, distraction and avoidance. Conclusions: This study emphasises the potential usefulness of an increased clinical awareness of self-disgust to support individuals experiencing psychological distress associated with eating problems. The theoretical, clinical and research implications are discussed, and possible limitations of this study are considered. It is hoped that the present findings will contribute to better outcomes for those experiencing psychological distress associated with eating problems.
Performance analysis of LMMSE receivers for M-ary QAM in Rayleigh faded CDMA channels

We develop approximations for the symbol error rate in a wireless code-division multiple-access channel. We assume that each user employs spectrally efficient M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation and undergoes independent Rayleigh fading. We study the performance of linear minimum mean-squared error receivers in situations where: i) the channels of all users are known perfectly; ii) the receiver knows only the average powers of the interferers but the channel of the user of interest is still assumed to be perfectly known; iii) the channels of the interferers are unknown and there is an error in the channel estimation of the user of interest. In the last of these cases, the symbol error rate is a function of the variance of the channel estimation error. We also determine an expression for this error variance when the channel estimate is obtained from optimal linear smoothing of a sequence of pilot symbols. Recent results on the performance of linear receivers in large systems with random spreading play an important role in our developments.
Exercise physiology of wild and random-bred laboratory house mice and their reciprocal hybrids.

We conducted a "common garden" experiment to compare aspects of exercise physiology and voluntary wheel-running behavior in wild and random-bred (i.e., non-inbred) laboratory house mice and their reciprocal crosses. Analysis of covariance indicated that, after effects of body mass and other appropriate covariates (e.g., age at testing) were accounted for, wild (range 2.46-3.30 m/s, n = 12) and hybrid (range 1.69-3.30 m/s, n = 24) mice exhibited forced maximal sprint running speeds that averaged approximately 50% higher than those of random-bred laboratory mice (range 1.11-2.12 m/s, n = 19). Wild and hybrid mice also had significantly higher (+22%) mass-corrected maximal rates of oxygen consumption (VO2max) during forced exercise and greater (+12%) relative ventricle masses than lab mice. Wild and hybrid mice also showed statistically higher swimming endurance times relative to body mass than lab mice, although these differences were insignificant when body mass was not used as a covariate. No significant differences were found for relative gastrocnemius muscle mass, liver mass, hematocrit, or blood hemoglobin content. During a 7-day test on voluntary activity wheels, both wild and hybrid mice ran significantly more total revolutions (+101%), ran at higher average velocities when they were active (+69%), and exhibited higher maximum revolutions in any single 1-min period (+41% on the 7th day of testing), but the total number of active 1-min intervals did not differ significantly among groups. In general, the behavioral and/or whole organisms performance traits showed greater differences than the lower-level traits; thus, during the domestication of house mice, behavior may have evolved more rapidly than physiology.
Markov Random Fields for Improving 3D Mesh Analysis and Segmentation

Mesh analysis and clustering have became important issues in order to improve the efficiency of common processing operations like compression, watermarking or simplification. In this context we present a new method for clustering / labeling a 3D mesh given any field of scalar values associated with its vertices (curvature, density, roughness etc.). Our algorithm is based on Markov Random Fields, graphical probabilistic models. This Bayesian framework allows (1) to integrate both the attributes and the geometry in the clustering, and (2) to obtain an optimal global solution using only local interactions, due to the Markov property of the random field. We have defined new observation and prior models for 3D meshes, adapted from image processing which achieve very good results in terms of spatial coherency of the labeling. All model parameters are estimated, resulting in a fully automatic process (the only required parameter is the number of clusters) which works in reasonable time (several seconds).
Accretion column eclipses in the X-ray pulsars GX 1+4 and RX J0812.4−3114

Sharp dips observed in the pulse profiles of three X-ray pulsars (GX 1+4, RX J0812.4-3114 and A 0535 + 26) have previously been suggested to arise from partial eclipses of the emission region by the accretion column occurring once each rotation period. We present pulse-phase spectroscopy from Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer satellite observations of GX 1+4 and RX J0812.4-3114, which for the first time confirms this interpretation. The dip phase corresponds to the closest approach of the column axis to the line of sight, and the additional optical depth of photons escaping from the column in this direction gives rise to both the decrease in flux and increase in the fitted optical depth measured at this phase. Analysis of the arrival time of individual dips in GX 1+4 provides the first measurement of azimuthal wandering of a neutron star accretion column. The column longitude varies stochastically with a standard deviation ranging between 2 degrees and 6 degrees depending on the source luminosity. Measurements of the phase width of the dip both from mean pulse profiles and from the individual eclipses demonstrate that the dip width is proportional to the flux. The variation is consistent with that expected if the azimuthal extent of the accretion column depends only upon the Keplerian velocity at the inner disc radius, which varies as a consequence of the accretion rate (M)over dot.
Why neural networks should not be used for HIV-1 protease cleavage site prediction

UNLABELLED Several papers have been published where nonlinear machine learning algorithms, e.g. artificial neural networks, support vector machines and decision trees, have been used to model the specificity of the HIV-1 protease and extract specificity rules. We show that the dataset used in these studies is linearly separable and that it is a misuse of nonlinear classifiers to apply them to this problem. The best solution on this dataset is achieved using a linear classifier like the simple perceptron or the linear support vector machine, and it is straightforward to extract rules from these linear models. We identify key residues in peptides that are efficiently cleaved by the HIV-1 protease and list the most prominent rules, relating them to experimental results for the HIV-1 protease. MOTIVATION Understanding HIV-1 protease specificity is important when designing HIV inhibitors and several different machine learning algorithms have been applied to the problem. However, little progress has been made in understanding the specificity because nonlinear and overly complex models have been used. RESULTS We show that the problem is much easier than what has previously been reported and that linear classifiers like the simple perceptron or linear support vector machines are at least as good predictors as nonlinear algorithms. We also show how sets of specificity rules can be generated from the resulting linear classifiers. AVAILABILITY The datasets used are available at http://www.hh. se/staff/bioinf/
SiteEngines: recognition and comparison of binding sites and protein–protein interfaces

Protein surface regions with similar physicochemical properties and shapes may perform similar functions and bind similar binding partners. Here we present two web servers and software packages for recognition of the similarity of binding sites and interfaces. Both methods recognize local geometrical and physicochemical similarity, which can be present even in the absence of overall sequence or fold similarity. The first method, SiteEngine (), receives as an input two protein structures and searches the complete surface of one protein for regions similar to the binding site of the other. The second, Interface-to-Interface (I2I)-SiteEngine (), compares protein–protein interfaces, which are regions of interaction between two protein molecules. It receives as an input two structures of protein–protein complexes, extracts the interfaces and finds the three-dimensional transformation that maximizes the similarity between two pairs of interacting binding sites. The output of both servers consists of a superimposition in PDB file format and a list of physicochemical properties shared by the compared entities. The methods are highly efficient and the freely available software packages are suitable for large-scale database searches of the entire PDB.
Graph cut segmentation technique for MRI brain tumor extraction

In this paper, we present a graph cut application dealing with MRI brain image segmentation. We here propose another emerging approach of region segmentation based on graph cut which supports on the eigenspace characteristics and the perceptual grouping properties to classify brain tumoral tissue. Image segmentation is considered as solving the partitioning clustering problem by extracting the global impression of image. In the aim of providing visual and quantitative information for the diagnosis help in brain diseases, tumor features observed in image sequences must be extracted efficiently. We lastly extend this approach to perform volume segmentation by matching 2D contours set. This 3D representation provides a precise quantitative measure for following up the tumor brain evolution in the case of patients under pharmaceutical treatments.
Role of Recently Migrated Monocytes in Cigarette Smoke-Induced Lung Inflammation in Different Strain of Mice

This study investigates the role of proinflammatory monocytes recruited from blood circulation and recovered in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in mediating the lung damage in a model of acute cigarette smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation in two strains of mice with different susceptibility to develop emphysema (susceptible -C57BL/6J and non susceptible -129S2/SvHsd). Exposure to whole-body CS for 3 consecutive research cigarettes in one single day induced acute inflammation in the lung of mice. Analysis of BAL fluid showed more influx of recently migrated monocytes at 72 h after CS-exposition in susceptible compared to non susceptible mice. It correlated with an increase in MMP-12 and TNF-α protein levels in the lung tissue, and with an increment of NF-κB translocation to the nucleus measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay in C57BL/6J mice. To determine the functional role of these proinflammatory monocytes in mediating CS-induced airway inflammation, alveolar macrophages and blood monocytes were transiently removed by pretreatment with intratracheal and intravenous liposome-encapsulated CL2MDP, given 2 and 4 days prior to CS exposure and their repopulation was studied. Monocytes/macrophages were maximally depleted 48 h after last liposome application and subsequently recently migrated monocytes reappeared in BAL fluid of susceptible mice at 72 h after CS exposure. Recently migrated monocytes influx to the lung correlated with an increase in the MMP-12 protein level in the lung tissue, indicating that the increase in proinflammatory monocytes is associated with a major tissue damaging. Therefore our data confirm that the recruitment of proinflammatory recently migrated monocytes from the blood are responsible for the increase in MMP-12 and has an important role in the pathogenesis of lung disease induced by acute lung inflammation. These results could contribute to understanding the different susceptibility to CS of these strains of mice.
Combining Global Tabu Search with Local Search for Solving Systems of Equalities and Inequalities

This papers aims at providing a combined strategy for solving systems of equalities and inequalities. The combined strategy uses two types of steps: a global search step and a local search step. The global step relies on a tabu search heuristic and the local step uses a deterministic search known as Hooke and Jeeves. The choice of step, at each iteration, is based on the level of reduction of the l2‐norm of the error function observed in the equivalent system of equations, compared with the previous iteration.
Toxoplasma gondii Infections Alter GABAergic Synapses and Signaling in the Central Nervous System

ABSTRACT During infections with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is utilized as a carbon source for parasite metabolism and also to facilitate parasite dissemination by stimulating dendritic-cell motility. The best-recognized function for GABA, however, is its role in the nervous system as an inhibitory neurotransmitter that regulates the flow and timing of excitatory neurotransmission. When this pathway is altered, seizures develop. Human toxoplasmosis patients suffer from seizures, suggesting that Toxoplasma interferes with GABA signaling in the brain. Here, we show that while excitatory glutamatergic presynaptic proteins appeared normal, infection with type II ME49 Toxoplasma tissue cysts led to global changes in the distribution of glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67), a key enzyme that catalyzes GABA synthesis in the brain. Alterations in GAD67 staining were not due to decreased expression but rather to a change from GAD67 clustering at presynaptic termini to a more diffuse localization throughout the neuropil. Consistent with a loss of GAD67 from the synaptic terminals, Toxoplasma-infected mice develop spontaneous seizures and are more susceptible to drugs that induce seizures by antagonizing GABA receptors. Interestingly, GABAergic protein mislocalization and the response to seizure-inducing drugs were observed in mice infected with type II ME49 but not type III CEP strain parasites, indicating a role for a polymorphic parasite factor(s) in regulating GABAergic synapses. Taken together, these data support a model in which seizures and other neurological complications seen in Toxoplasma-infected individuals are due, at least in part, to changes in GABAergic signaling. IMPORTANCE Infections of the central nervous system can cause seizures. While inflammation in the brain has been proposed to initiate the onset of the seizures, relatively little is known about how inflammation impacts the structure and function of the neurons. Here we used a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that infects the brain and showed that seizures arise due to a defect in signaling of GABA, which is the neurotransmitter primarily responsible for preventing the onset of seizures. Infections of the central nervous system can cause seizures. While inflammation in the brain has been proposed to initiate the onset of the seizures, relatively little is known about how inflammation impacts the structure and function of the neurons. Here we used a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii that infects the brain and showed that seizures arise due to a defect in signaling of GABA, which is the neurotransmitter primarily responsible for preventing the onset of seizures.
Analysis of GaN HEMTs for broadband high-power amplifier design

In this paper we present the analysis of GaN HEMT power cells for broadband high-power amplifier design. We compare different power cell layouts, different Al contents in the barrier layer, and different fieldplate configurations. With the results of the analysis we can specifically optimize the epitaxial choice, fieldplate configuration, and the layout of the power cell for broadband high-power amplifiers. The main findings include the challenging interdependence of the parameters with the variation of the technology parameters.
Is Primatology an Equal-Opportunity Discipline?

The proportion of women occupying academic positions in biological sciences has increased in the past few decades, but women are still under-represented in senior academic ranks compared to their male colleagues. Primatology has been often singled out as a model of “equal-opportunity” discipline because of the common perception that women are more represented in Primatology than in similar fields. But is this indeed true? Here we show that, although in the past 15 years the proportion of female primatologists increased from the 38% of the early 1990s to the 57% of 2008, Primatology is far from being an “equal-opportunity” discipline, and suffers the phenomenon of “glass ceiling” as all the other scientific disciplines examined so far. In fact, even if Primatology does attract more female students than males, at the full professor level male members significantly outnumber females. Moreover, regardless of position, IPS male members publish significantly more than their female colleagues. Furthermore, when analyzing gender difference in scientific productivity in relation to the name order in the publications, it emerged that the scientific achievements of female primatologists (in terms of number and type of publications) do not always match their professional achievements (in terms of academic position). However, the gender difference in the IPS members' number of publications does not correspond to a similar difference in their scientific impact (as measured by their H index), which may indicate that female primatologists' fewer articles are of higher impact than those of their male colleagues.
Mindfulness, Pro-environmental Behavior, and Belief in Climate Change: The Mediating Role of Social Dominance

In recent years, mindfulness has been considered as a potential source of proenvironmental attitudes and behavior. Present research is aimed at consolidating and expanding previous knowledge by proposing that mindfulness is related to both proenvironmental behavior and belief in global climate change through social dominance orientation (SDO). A first study was conducted on undergraduate students (n = 279) and found, as expected, that trait mindfulness was related to proenvironmental behavior through SDO. A second study using a known groups approach compared practitioners (n = 44) and nonpractitioners (n = 53) of Buddhist meditation, which is known to develop a mindful stance. Moreover, in Study 2, a measure of belief in global climate change was adopted as a further outcome. Again, trait mindfulness was related to both proenvironmental outcomes through SDO. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Statistical considerations for assessing cognition and neuropathology associations in preclinical Alzheimer's disease

ABSTRACT Analysis of the associations between the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cognition has become a major area of investigation as both basic and clinical researchers have turned their attention toward identifying the factors underlying the onset of preclinical AD. Here we provide a conceptual overview of statistical approaches for analyzing associations between cognition and AD neuropathology in the context of the prodromal AD. The review will discuss a variety of statistical approaches, their application to various clinical pathological variables, and research questions, as well as the importance of accounting for and including interaction terms in statistical models. The overview presented here will introduce data analysts and statisticians to the nomenclature of AD neuropathology and provide relevant background information regarding the nature of cognitive and neuropathological data generated in the investigation of preclinical AD. In addition, we will introduce a number of statistical approaches that researchers who specialize in AD neuropathology may utilize in their studies. For both audiences, this review will provide an applied statistical framework to draw from for future research.
Pomegranate Polyphenols Lower Lipid Peroxidation in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes but Have No Effects in Healthy Volunteers: A Pilot Study

Aims. To examine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of pomegranate polyphenols in obese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (n = 8) and in healthy nondiabetic controls (n = 9). Methods. Participants received 2 capsules of pomegranate polyphenols (POMx, 1 capsule = 753 mg polyphenols) daily for 4 weeks. Blood draws and anthropometrics were performed at baseline and at 4 weeks of the study. Results. Pomegranate polyphenols in healthy controls and in T2DM patients did not significantly affect body weight and blood pressure, glucose and lipids. Among clinical safety profiles, serum electrolytes, renal function tests, and hematological profiles were not significantly affected by POMx supplementation. However, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) showed a significant increase in healthy controls, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly decreased in T2DM patients at 4 weeks (P < 0.05), though values remained within the normal ranges. Among the biomarkers of lipid oxidation and inflammation, oxidized LDL and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) did not differ at 4 weeks in either group, while pomegranate polyphenols significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxynonenal (HNE) only in the diabetic group versus baseline (P < 0.05). Conclusions. POMx reduces lipid peroxidation in patients with T2DM, but with no effects in healthy controls, and specifically modulates liver enzymes in diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Larger clinical trials are merited.