Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mindfulness and psychological well-being among black South African university students and their relatives

This study investigated the relationship between mindfulness and psychological well-being in a convenience sample of black South African students (n = 203) and their parents and other relatives (n = 204) (66.1% = female; age range 18–73). The students self-reported on their mindfulness on the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and psychological well-being on the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Adult Trait Hope Scale and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. A multivariate regression model was specified and analysed via structural equation modelling in Mplus 7.3. Results revealed that mindfulness scores strongly predicted elevated levels of meaning and positive affect, and lowered levels of negative effect, and were moderately strong predictors of life satisfaction and hope. The findings imply that mindfulness likely plays an important role in relation to the psychological well-being of cross-generational African culture community members.
Allowing Large-Scale Systems Evaluation with Ptolemy through Distributed Simulation

Nowadays, embedded systems have a huge amount of computational power and consequently, high complexity. It is quite usual to find different applications being executed in embedded systems. Embedded system design demands for method and tools that allow the simulation and verification in an efficient and practical way. This paper proposes the development and evaluation of a solution for embedded modeling and simulation of embedded systems in a distributed way by the integration of Ptolemy II and the High Level Architecture (HLA), in order to create an environment with high-performance execution of large-scale models. Experimental results demonstrated that the use of a non distributed simulation for some situations can be infeasible. It was demonstrated that a speedup of factor 4 was acquired when a model with 4,000 thousands actors were distributed in 8 different machines. It also presented a model of execution of each CPU core during the simulation.
Structural biology of the LRRK2 GTPase and kinase domains: implications for regulation

Human leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) belongs to the Roco family of proteins, which are characterized by the presence of a Ras-like G-domain (Roc), a C-terminal of Roc domain (COR), and a kinase domain. Mutations in LRRK2 have been found to be thus far the most frequent cause of late-onset Parkinson’s disease (PD). Several of the pathogenic mutations in LRRK2 result in decreased GTPase activity and enhanced kinase activity, suggesting a possible PD-related gain of abnormal function. Important progress in the structural understanding of LRRK2 has come from our work with related Roco proteins from lower organisms. Atomic structures of Roco proteins from prokaryotes revealed that Roco proteins belong to the GAD class of molecular switches (G proteins activated by nucleotide dependent dimerization). As in LRRK2, PD-analogous mutations in Roco proteins from bacteria decrease the GTPase reaction. Studies with Roco proteins from the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum revealed that PD mutants have different effects and most importantly they explained the G2019S-related increased LRRK2 kinase activity. Furthermore, the structure of Dictyostelium Roco4 kinase in complex with the LRRK2 inhibitor H1152 showed that Roco4 and other Roco family proteins can be important for the optimization of the current, and identification of new, LRRK2 kinase inhibitors. In this review we highlight the recent progress in structural and biochemical characterization of Roco proteins and discuss its implication for the understanding of the complex regulatory mechanism of LRRK2.
Évaluation des effets d'un programme de traitement de groupe pour adolescents agresseurs sexuels

Even though sexual aggressions committed by adolescents constitute a preoccupying social problem, a limited number of studies have been done on the evaluation of the short term effects of treatrnents offered to this population. This doctoral dissertation main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of a specialized group treatment program offered in two Quebec youth centers. 15 a group intervention with multiple targets more effective than the “traditional services”? The study also includes as secondary objectives to provide an outiine of the group treatrnent implementation and, to establish a profile ofthe main characteristics ofthe adolescents selected. A quasi experirnental pre-test/post-test research design including an experimental group and a comparison group was used. The experirnental group consisted of 54 teenagers, corning from the Youth Centers of Lanaudière and of Mauricie Centre-of-Quebec, having taken part in the 30 weeks group specialized treatrnent (two hours per week) and having also received, as needed, other types of “traditional services”. The 19 teenagers of the comparison group carne from the Youth Centers of Montérégie and only received the services known as “traditional” offered in these establishments (individual or farnily sessions). The change indicators were drawn from a serni-structured interview and from questionnaires ofthe self-assessrnent type. The resuhs obtained make it possible to confirrn a first hypothesis to the effect that, in a general way, the two groups of teenagers (having taken part or not in the treatrnent of group) improve significantly between the two moments of measurement on a good number ofthe chosen clinical indicators (ex: psychological symptoms, comprehension ofthe sexual abuse cycle, etc.). However, these results do not enable us to confirm a second hypothesis. Indeed, we cannot conclude that the experimental group (with group treatment) improves statistically more than the comparison group. In light of the measurements chosen, we cannot thus conclude that the group intervention as applied is more effective than the
STELLAR ORIGINS OF EXTREMELY 13C- AND 15N-ENRICHED PRESOLAR SIC GRAINS: NOVAE OR SUPERNOVAE?

Extreme excesses of 13C (12C/13C < 10) and 15N (14N/15N < 20) in rare presolar SiC grains have been considered diagnostic of an origin in classical novae, though an origin in core collapse supernovae (CCSNe) has also been proposed. We report C, N, and Si isotope data for 14 submicron- to micron-sized 13C- and 15N-enriched presolar SiC grains (12C/13C < 16 and 14N/15N < ∼100) from Murchison, and their correlated Mg–Al, S, and Ca–Ti isotope data when available. These grains are enriched in 13C and 15N, but with quite diverse Si isotopic signatures. Four grains with 29,30Si excesses similar to those of type C SiC grains likely came from CCSNe, which experienced explosive H burning occurred during explosions. The independent coexistence of proton- and neutron-capture isotopic signatures in these grains strongly supports heterogeneous H ingestion into the He shell in pre-supernovae. Two of the seven putative nova grains with 30Si excesses and 29Si depletions show lower-than-solar 34S/32S ratios that cannot be explained by classical nova nucleosynthetic models. We discuss these signatures within the CCSN scenario. For the remaining five putative nova grains, both nova and supernova origins are viable because explosive H burning in the two stellar sites could result in quite similar proton-capture isotopic signatures. Three of the grains are sub-type AB grains that are also 13C enriched, but have a range of higher 14N/15N. We found that 15N-enriched AB grains (∼50 < 14N/15N < ∼100) have distinctive isotopic signatures compared to putative nova grains, such as higher 14N/15N, lower 26Al/27Al, and lack of 30Si excess, indicating weaker proton-capture nucleosynthetic environments.
Acetate trafficking in the heart: carnitine acyltransferases matter

Dear Editor, The use of hyperpolarized 13C magnetic resonance to study intermediary metabolism is increasing rapidly, since it allows in vivo noninvasive investigation of dynamic metabolic and physiological processes that were previously experimentally inaccessible. A recent study published in the Journal by Koellish and colleagues used the technique to address the fate of hyperpolarized 13C‐labeled acetate in STZ‐induced diabetic rats (Koellisch et al. 2015a). While the use of this advanced technology is welcome, a basic misinterpretation of the cellular metabolic fate of acetate is apparent in the paper (Koellisch et al. 2015a). In particular, the authors have seriously misrepresented the mechanism of transfer of the …
Radio Emission and the Timing Properties of the Hard X-Ray State of GRS 1915+105

We combine a complete sample of 113 pointed observations taken with the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer between 1996 and 1999, monitoring observations taken with the Ryle Telescope and the Green Bank Interferometer, and selected observations with the Very Large Array to study the radio and X-ray properties of GRS 1915+105 when its X-ray emission is hard and steady. We establish that radio emission always accompanies the hard-steady state of GRS 1915+105 but that the radio flux density at 15.2 GHz and the X-ray flux between 2 and 200 keV are not correlated. Therefore, we study the X-ray spectral and timing properties of GRS 1915+105 using three approaches: first by describing in detail the properties of three characteristic observations, then by displaying the time evolution of the timing properties during periods of both faint and bright radio emission, and lastly by plotting the timing properties as a function of the radio flux density. We find that as the radio emission becomes brighter and more optically thick, (1) the frequency of a ubiquitous 0.5-10 Hz quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) decreases, (2) the Fourier phase lags between hard (11.5-60 keV) and soft (2-4.3 keV) in the frequency range of 0.01-10 Hz change sign from negative to positive, (3) the coherence between hard and soft photons at low frequencies decreases, and (4) the relative amount of low-frequency power in hard photons compared to soft photons decreases. We discuss how these results reflect upon basic models from the literature describing the accretion flow around black holes and the possible connection between Comptonizing electrons and compact radio jets.
Drive for consumption, craving, and connectivity in the visual cortex during the imagery of desired food

There is considerable interest in understanding food cravings given the obesogenic environment of Western Society. In this paper we examine how the imagery of palatable foods affects cravings and functional connectivity in the visual cortex for people who differ on the power of food scale (PFS). Fourteen older, overweight/obese adults came to our laboratory on two different occasions. Both times they ate a controlled breakfast meal and then were restricted from eating for 2.5 h prior to scanning. On 1 day they consumed a BOOST® liquid meal after the period of food restriction, whereas on the other day they only consumed water (NO BOOST® condition). After these manipulations, they had an fMRI scan in which they were asked to image both neutral objects and their favorite snack foods; they also completed visual analog scales for craving, hunger, and the vividness of the imagery experiences. Irrespective of the BOOST® manipulation, we observed marked increases in food cravings when older, overweight/obese adults created images of favorite foods in their minds as opposed to creating an image of neutral objects; however, the increase in food craving following the imagery of desired food was more pronounced among those scoring high than low on the PFS. Furthermore, local efficiency within the visual cortex when imaging desired food was higher for those scoring high as compared to low on the PFS. The active imagery of desired foods seemed to have overpowered the BOOST® manipulation when evaluating connectivity in the visual cortex.
Numerical treatment of the Boltzmann equation for self-propelled particle systems

Kinetic theories constitute one of the most promising tools to decipher the characteristic spatio-temporal dynamics in systems of actively propelled particles. In this context, the Boltzmann equation plays a pivotal role, since it provides a natural translation between a particle-level description of the system's dynamics and the corresponding hydrodynamic fields. Yet, the intricate mathematical structure of the Boltzmann equation substantially limits the progress toward a full understanding of this equation by solely analytical means. Here, we propose a general framework to numerically solve the Boltzmann equation for self-propelled particle systems in two spatial dimensions and with arbitrary boundary conditions. We discuss potential applications of this numerical framework to active matter systems, and use the algorithm to give a detailed analysis to a model system of self-propelled particles with polar interactions. In accordance with previous studies, we find that spatially homogeneous isotropic and broken symmetry states populate two distinct regions in parameter space, which are separated by a narrow region of spatially inhomogeneous, density-segregated moving patterns. We find clear evidence that these three regions in parameter space are connected by first order phase transitions, and that the transition between the spatially homogeneous isotropic and polar ordered phases bears striking similarities to liquid-gas phase transitions in equilibrium systems. Within the density segregated parameter regime, we find a novel stable limit-cycle solution of the Boltzmann equation, which consists of parallel lanes of polar clusters moving in opposite directions, so as to render the overall symmetry of the system's ordered state nematic, despite purely polar interactions on the level of single particles.
Pre- and Postoperative Evaluation by Photoplethysmography in Patients Receiving Surgery for Lower-Limb Varicose Veins

Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of surgery in treating primary varicose veins in the lower limbs by photoplethysmography (PPG) and duplex mapping (DM). Method. Forty-eight lower limbs were clinically evaluated according to the CEAP classification system and subjected to PPG and DM exams. Each limb had a venous refill time (VRT) of <20 seconds and a normal deep vein system (DVS) by DM. Results. The mean pre- and postoperative VRTs were 13.79 and 26.43 seconds, respectively (P < 0.0001). After surgery, 42 limbs (87.50%) had normal results by PPG (VRT > 20 seconds). Four limbs (8.33%) showed improved VRTs, but the VRTs did not reach 20 seconds. In the 2 limbs (4.17%) that maintained their original VRTs, the DM exams showed the presence of insufficient perforating veins. Conclusion. In most cases, PPG allows for a satisfactory evaluation of the outcome of varicose vein surgery.
Full-length dominant-negative survivin for cancer immunotherapy.

PURPOSE The goal of this study is to investigate the possible utility of dendritic cells (DCs) transduced with the human full-length dominant-negative survivin for cancer immunotherapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Mononuclear cells were collected from HLA-A2-positive healthy volunteers and patients with prostate cancer. DCs were transduced with an adenoviral vector containing a full-length, dominant-negative survivin gene. After three rounds of stimulation, the T-cell response against three different survivin-derived HLA-A2-matching peptides was tested in IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot and CTL assays. RESULTS Seven of eight healthy volunteers and cancer patients showed a significant response to at least two different survivin-derived epitopes in the enzyme-linked immunospot assay. One patient responded to only one peptide. All four healthy volunteers and two of three patients tested demonstrated a specific CTL response against T2 target cells loaded with one survivin-derived epitope. Two donors and two patients had a significant CTL response against two different epitopes. Significant cytotoxic activity was seen against HLA-A2-positive MCF-7 tumor cells that express survivin. That response was specific for survivin and was MHC class I restricted. Because survivin is expressed in CD34(+) hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), we tested whether the antisurvivin CTLs can recognize normal HPCs. The incubation of survivin-specific CTLs with CD34(+) cells did not significantly decrease the colony-forming ability of HPCs. CONCLUSIONS DCs transduced with dominant-negative survivin induce potent survivin-specific CTL responses able to recognize and kill tumor cells. This response does not significantly affect HPCs. Thus, this study may provide rationale for immunotherapeutic clinical trials using a DC vaccine transduced with the dominant-negative survivin.
Myths, truths and pioneers: the early development of association football in The Potteries

Despite a wealth of academic research focusing on the origins and development of association football in Britain during the nineteenth century, academics have failed to reach a consensus regarding the early history of the game with the emergence of contrasting ‘orthodox’ and ‘revisionist’ interpretations. Much of the current research has focused on tackling the subject on a national level and this has resulted in many towns, cities and regions across the country being overlooked when sports historians discuss the origins of modern football. One such region is North Staffordshire, more commonly referred to as The Potteries, which, despite having played a key role in the formation of the Football League, possessing one of the oldest professional football clubs in the country and an early county football association, has never been the subject of an in-depth academic study. Using a range of archival sources this paper provides an overview of the origins and early development of association football across The Potteries from the 1850 to 1870s, emphasizing the influence of Stoke City Football Club and provides a fact based resolution to the debate surrounding the club’s origin and formation. The wider development of the game in The Potteries is also explored, tracing the early informal football activities taking place at fairs, fetes and the wakes holidays to the establishment of a football culture in the 1870s following the formation of organized football clubs and the Staffordshire Football Association. This paper concludes that neither the orthodox nor the revisionist interpretations of the game’s origins can fully explain the region’s football development and that further research into the region is required to understand the significance of The Potteries in relation to the national picture.
Inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase reduces neutrophil-mediated injury in myocardial infarction.

AIMS Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) is a key enzyme for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) biosynthesis, and recent evidence indicates its role in inflammatory processes. Here, we investigated the potential effects of pharmacological Nampt inhibition with FK866 in a mouse myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model. In vivo and ex vivo mouse myocardial ischemia/reperfusion procedures were performed. RESULTS Treatment with FK866 reduced myocardial infarct size, neutrophil infiltration, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation within infarcted hearts in vivo in a mouse model of ischemia and reperfusion. The benefit of FK866 was not shown in the Langendorff model (ex vivo model of working heart without circulating leukocytes), suggesting a direct involvement of these cells in cardiac injury. Sera from FK866-treated mice showed reduced circulating levels of the neutrophil chemoattractant CXCL2 and impaired capacity to prime migration of these cells in vitro. The release of CXCL8 (human homolog of murine chemokine CXCL2) by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and Jurkat cells was also reduced by FK866, as well as by sirtuin (SIRT) inhibitors and SIRT6 silencing, implying a pivotal role for this NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase in the production of this chemokine. INNOVATION The pharmacological inhibition of Nampt might represent an effective approach to reduce neutrophilic inflammation- and oxidative stress-mediated tissue damage in early phases of reperfusion after a myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS Nampt inhibition appears as a new strategy to dampen CXCL2-induced neutrophil recruitment and thereby reduce neutrophil-mediated tissue injury in mice.
How predictive are temporal lobe changes of underlying TDP-43 pathology in the ALS-FTD continuum?

Detection of underling proteinopathies is becoming increasingly important across neurodegenerative conditions due to upcoming disease intervention trials. In this review, we explored how temporal lobe changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can potentially predict underlying TDP-43 pathology subtypes in FTD. To date, emphasis has been given to frontal lobe changes in the study of the cognitive and behavioural impairments in both syndromes but an increasing number of pathological, imaging and neuropsychological studies suggest how temporal lobe changes could critically affect the cognition and behaviour of these conditions. In this current article, we reviewed pathological, imaging as well as clinical/neuropsychological findings of temporal involvement in the ALS-FTD continuum, how they relate to temporal lobe changes and the underlying TDP-43 pathology in FTD. Findings across studies show that TDP-43 pathology occurs and coincides in many structures in ALS and FTD, but especially in the temporal lobes. In particular, anterior and medial temporal lobes atrophy is consistently found in ALS and FTD. In addition, memory and language impairment as well as emotional and Theory of Mind (ToM) processing deficits that are characteristics of the two diseases are highly correlated to temporal lobe dysfunction. We conclude by showing that temporal lobe changes due to TDP-43 type B might be particular predictive of TDP-43 type B pathology in behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), which clearly needs to be investigated further in the future.
Effectiveness of Co-Operative Learning Method in Learning of Mathematics among Eighth Standard Students.

Co-operative learning is defined as students working together to “attain groups goals that cannot be obtained by working alone or competitively”. The main purpose of co-operative learning is to actively involve students in the learning process, a level of student empowerment which is not possible in a lecture format. The present study found out the effectiveness of co-operative learning in mathematics learning among the eighth standard students of Tirunelveli district. Two equivalent group experimental-designs are employed for this study. The investigator has selected 40 students studying VIII standard in High School, Tirunelveli Educational District. According to the scoring of pre-test, 20 students were chosen as control group and 20 students were chosen as experimental group in a cluster sampling techniques. Finally the investigator concludes that; (a) There was significant difference between control and experimental group students in their gain scores. That is the experimental group student is better than control group students in their gain scores. (b)There was significant difference between control and experimental group students in their gain scores for attainment of the knowledge, understanding, and application objectives.