Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parental Obesity and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to investigate the associations among maternal prepregnancy BMI, paternal BMI, and the risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in children. METHODS: The study sample of 92 909 children was derived from the population-based, prospective Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. The age range was 4.0 through 13.1 (mean 7.4) years. Relative risks of ASDs were estimated by odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from logistic regression models. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up on December 31, 2012, 419 children in the study sample had been diagnosed with ASDs: 162 with autistic disorder, 103 with Asperger disorder, and 154 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Maternal obesity (BMI ≥30) was only weakly associated with ASD risk, whereas paternal obesity was associated with an increased risk of autistic disorder and Asperger disorder. The risk of autistic disorder was 0.27% (25 of 9267) in children of obese fathers and 0.14% (59 of 41 603) in children of fathers with normal weight (BMI <25), generating an adjusted OR of 1.73 (95% CI: 1.07–2.82). For Asperger disorder, analyses were limited to children aged ≥7 years (n = 50 116). The risk was 0.38% (18 of 4761) in children of obese fathers and 0.18% (42 of 22 736) in children of normal-weight fathers, and the adjusted OR was 2.01 (95% CI: 1.13–3.57). No associations were found for pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. CONCLUSIONS: Paternal obesity is an independent risk factor for ASDs in children. The associations should be investigated further in genetic and epigenetic studies.
Evidence for 5‐HT autoreceptor‐mediated, nerve impulse‐independent, control of 5‐HT synthesis in the rat brain

To gain further insight into the operation of 5‐HT autoreceptor‐mediated feedback control of 5‐HT biosynthesis in serotonergic nerve terminal areas, the effect of the 5‐HT1B and the 5‐HT1A receptor agonists, TFMPP and 8‐OH‐DPAT, respectively, were investigated in the rat central nervous system (CNS) using in vivo and in vitro neurochemical approaches. TFMPP suppressed 5‐HT synthesis (5‐HTP accumulation after decarboxylase inhibition) both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, the 5‐HT synthesissuppressing effect of the drug (3.0 mg/kg, s.c.) proved resistant to either acute hemitransection or reserpine (5 mg/kg, i.p.; 90 min before) pretreatment. In vitro, in cortical, hippocampal and striatal slice preparations, TFMPP (0.1–10 μM) decreased 5‐HT synthesis under basal and stimulated (30 mM K+) conditions, an effect which was unaltered by prior in vivo reserpine‐induced 5‐HT depletion but was attenuated in the presence of 5‐HT1B receptor antagonists such as methiothepin, cyanopindolol or propranolol. The 8‐OH‐DPAT (0.1 mg/kg, s.c.)‐induced decrease of 5‐HT synthesis in vivo was abolished by hemitransection but resistant to acute reserpine pretreatment; 8‐OH‐DPAT (10 μM) did not decrease 5‐HT synthesis in vitro. In conclusion, the present study confirms the importance of 5‐HT autoreceptors in the feedback control of nerve terminal 5‐HT biosynthesis. Specifically, our data indicate: (1) that the reduction of rat brain 5‐HT synthesis after TFMPP is mediated by 5‐HT1B autoreceptors located on the serotonergic axon terminals, and (2) that the effect is directly mediated and occurs independently of 5‐HT neuronal firing and intact monoamine stores. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multimodal Perception of Emotion in Japanese and Chinese

This study tested the accuracy of perception of Japanese and Chinese emotions displayed facially and/or by voice. We compared Japanese (n = 21) and Chinese (n = 19) participants’ perception of facial (visual only (VO)), vocal (auditory only (AO)), and facial and vocal (audiovisual (AV)) emotions. The experiment presented participants with verbal materials that included one emotionless (neutral) and five emotional (happiness, anger, disgust, fear, and sadness) faces and voices. The stimuli were two short sentences spoken in Japanese by five native Japanese professional actors and in Chinese by five native Chinese professional actors. The in-group advantage was confirmed in the AO presentation, although not in the VO and AV presentations. We discussed these results mainly from the viewpoint of perceptual mode and in-group advantage.
Supplemental data : The hepatobiliary disposition of timosaponin B 2 is highly dependent on influx / efflux transporters but not metabolism

The purpose of this study was to characterize the hepatobiliary disposition of timosaponin B2 (TB-2), a natural saponin. Although TB-2 has multiple pharmacologic activities, the mechanism of its hepatobiliary disposition has not been explored. Because the metabolism of TB-2 is limited and the accumulation of TB-2 in primary hepatocytes is highly temperature dependent (93% of its accumulation is due to active uptake), the contribution of hepatic transporters was investigated. Organic anion-transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1– and OATP1B3-transfected human embryonic kidney 293 cells were employed. TB-2 serves as a substrate for OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, with the former playing a predominant role in the hepatic uptake of TB-2. An inhibition study in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes suggested that TB-2 is a substrate for both breast cancer resistance protein (Bcrp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2), consistent with its high biliary excretion index (43.1–44.9%). This hypothesis was further verified in BCRP and MRP2 membrane vesicles. The cooperation of uptake and efflux transporters in TB-2 hepatic disposition could partially explain the doublepeak phenomenon observed in rat plasma and liver and biliary clearance, which accounted for 70% of the total TB-2 clearance. Moreover, TB-2 significantly increased the rosuvastatin concentration in rat plasma in a concentration-dependent manner and decreased its biliary excretion, which corresponded to reductions in rosuvastatin accumulation in hepatocytes and the biliary excretion index in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes, representing a perfect example of a potential saponin-statin drug-drug interaction. These studies demonstrate that transporters (Oatp, Bcrp/Mrp2), but notmetabolism, contribute significantly to rat TB-2 hepatobiliary disposition.
Evaluation of Three Diagnostic Methods, Including Real-Time PCR, for Detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in Stool Specimens

ABSTRACT Dientamoeba fragilis is a protozoan parasite of humans that infects the mucosa of the large intestine and is associated with gastrointestinal disease. We developed a 5′ nuclease (TaqMan)-based real-time PCR assay, targeting the small subunit rRNA gene, for the detection of D. fragilis in human stool specimens and compared its sensitivity and specificity to conventional PCR and microscopic examination by a traditional modified iron-hematoxylin staining procedure. Real-time PCR exhibited 100% sensitivity and specificity.
The ecological fallacy strikes back

When I first started studying epidemiology, ecological studies were briefly discussed as an inexpensive but unreliable method for studying individual level risk factors for disease. For example, rather than go to the time and expense to establish a cohort study or case-control study of fat intake and breast cancer, you could simply use national dietary and cancer incidence data and, with minimal time and expense, show a strong correlation internationally between fat intake and breast cancer. This approach was quite rightly regarded as inadequate and unreliable because of the many additional forms of bias that can occur in such studies compared with studies of individuals within a population. In particular, the “ecological fallacy” can occur in that factors that are associated with national disease rates may not be associated with disease in individuals.1 For example, almost any disease that is associated with affluence and Westernisation has in the past been associated at the national level with sales of television sets, and nowadays is probably associated at the national level with rates of internet use. Thus, ecological studies were not a good thing to do, and were a relic of the “pre-modern” phase of epidemiology before it became firmly established with a methodologic paradigm based on the theory of randomised controlled trials of individuals. This paradigm, which is very powerful when used appropriately, gave rise to increasingly sophisticated methods of study design and data analysis. In particular, biostatistical methods that were developed for randomised trials involving a single individual level exposure were used to reformulate and make more rigorous the previously ad hoc epidemiological methods of study design and data analysis.2 3 Thus, epidemiology courses have increasingly become restricted to discussing cohort and case-control studies and the methods of data analysis that fit the clinical trial paradigm on which …
Alleged false confessions among Icelandic offenders : an examination of some psychological, criminological and substance use factors that are associated with the reported false confessions

The purpose of the thesis was threefold. First, to revise the Gudjonsson Confession Questionnaire (GCQ-R) and assess its factor structure and reliability. Secondly, to investigate the nature and circumstances of claimed false confessions among convicted Icelandic offenders. Thirdly, to investigate psychological, educational, criminological, and substance use differences between participants claiming to have made a false confession to the police sometime in their life and other participants. The participants were 509 Icelandic prison inmates and 108 juvenile offenders, which represented 96% and 80% of those who were approached, respectively. Factor analysis of the GCQ-R revealed conceptually meaningful factors with satisfactory reliability. A total of 62 prison inmates claimed to have made a false confession to the police, which represents 12% of the total prison population during a four-year period. In contrast, none of the juvenile offenders claimed to have made a false confession to the police. The participants completed a number of psychological tests, which included the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, the Gough Socialisation Scale, the Gudjonsson Compliance Scale, the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale, and the Ravens Standard Progressive Matrices. In addition, criminological data were collected for each participant . The prison inmates gave two main reasons for making false confessions to the police: (1) about half of them because they gave in to police pressure and/or in order to avoid being detained in custody, and (2) the other half in order to protect somebody else from being arrested or prosecuted. Only about one third of the false confessors
Differences between Empathic Responses in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing Children

Previous studies show that empathy deficits are considered an important barrier for the social development of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study compares the empathic responses between a group of children with ASD and a group of typically developing (TD) children. We included 63 children, out of which 26 had a diagnosis of ASD. We used an empathy task which simulated leg pain and an observational grid to assess four dimensions of empathy: affective responding, behavior activation, verbal empathic initiations and prosocial behaviors. The results showed that children with ASD had a lower performance at the affective responding and behavior activation dimensions, as compared with TD children, but there were no differences between the two groups in verbal empathic initiations and prosocial behaviors.
Contraception and the Celtic Tiger

New cross-country evidence for 1965 to 1995 is presented on the link that runs from population change to economic growth. The estimates indicate that demographic change is a powerful determinant of income growth, operating mainly via the effect of changes in age structure. The estimates also indicate that the benefits of demographic change can be greatly magnified by a favourable policy environment. A case study of economic growth in Ireland suggests that the legalisation of contraception in 1980 resulted in a sharp decline in fertility and a sizeable increase in the relative share of the working-age population. This demographic shift, operating in conjunction with a favourable policy environment, can explain in large measure the birth of the Celtic Tiger. However, given demographic projections for Ireland, the Tiger’s roar may become less formidable as it continues to mature.
The Low-z Intergalactic Medium. III. H I and Metal Absorbers at z < 0.4

We conduct an ultraviolet (HST and FUSE) spectroscopic survey of H I (Lyman lines) and seven metal ions (O VI, N V, C IV, C III, Si IV, Si III, Fe III) in the low-redshift IGM at z < 0.4. We analyzed 650 Lyα absorbers over redshift path length Δ z = 5.27, detecting numerous absorbers: 83 O VI systems, 39 C III, 53 Si III, 24 C IV, 24 N V, and so on. In the low-z IGM, we have accounted for ~40% of the baryons: 30% in the photoionized Lyα forest and 10% in the (T = 105–106) WHIM traced by O VI. Statistical metallicities are consistent with the canonical value of 10% solar, with considerable scatter. Improved statistics for weak absorbers allows us to estimate ΩWHIM/Ωb = 0.073 ± 0.008 down to log NO VI = 13.4 and 0.086 ± 0.008 down to log NO VI = 13.0. The O VI absorber line frequency, d𝒩/dz = 40−8+14, down to 10 mÅ equivalent width suggests a 250-300 kpc extent of metals around dwarf galaxies. Many absorbers appear to contain multiphase gas, with both collisional ionization and photoionization determining the ionization state. N V absorption is well correlated with O VI, and both ions show similarly steep power-law indices d𝒩/dz ∝ N−β with βO VI ≈ βN V ≈ 2 while βH I. We conclude that O VI and N V are reliable tracers of the portion of the WHIM at T ≈ 105–106 K. C IV may be present in both collisional and photoionized phases; NC IV correlates poorly with both NH I and NO VI and βH I < βC IV < βO VI. The ions C III, Si III, and Si IV are well correlated with H I and show patterns typical of photoionization. Adjacent ion stages of the same element (C III/IV and Si III/IV) provide useful constraints on the photoionization parameter, log U ≈ − 1.5 ± 0.5.
Liquidity Constrained Markets Versus Debt Constrained Markets

This paper compares two different models in a common environment. The first model has liquidity constraints in that consumers save a single asset that they cannot sell short. The second model has debt constraints in that consumers cannot borrow so much that they would want to default, but is otherwise a standard complete markets model. Both models share the features that individuals are unable to completely insure against idiosyncratic shocks and that interest rates are lower than subjective discount rates. In a stochastic environment, the two models have quite different dynamic properties, with the debt constrained model exhibiting simple stochastic steady states, while the liquidity constrained model has greater persistence of shocks.
Institutional Concentration of Leisure Research: A Follow-up to and Extension of Jackson (2004)

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine whether the institutional concentration of North American leisure research has increased, decreased, or remained the same over the past two decades. To address this question, we compared data from 2000 to 2008, composed of 1,884 published articles and abstracts, 4,293 authorships, 1,461 authors, and 246 institutions, with data from 1990 to 1999 collected by Jackson (2004). Overall, our results suggest that while more are doing a little, a few are doing more. Findings are discussed, and it is proposed that leisure studies could benefit from even greater institutional concentration.
THE USE OF SOCIAL NETWORK THEORY ON ENTREPRENEUR’S LINKAGES DEVELOPMENT

To embark on any housing project, a developer needs to have support from various parties. The housing and construction industries are interrelated; they are in a relationship where construction plays a major part in the development process. Housing developers need to have strong support from the contractor, consultant, and suppliers (CCS) in completing their project. Studying the CCS selection methods can enhance the knowledge on the application of the social network theory (SNT) in the housing industry. Questionnaires were posted to 600 private housing developers (PHDs) and 54 were returned. Findings conclude that social factors were given mediate priority in consultant and contractor selection but non-social factors were more dominant in material supplier’s selection. Before start-up, PHDs get more advice from their strong ties (family/relatives/close friends) in selecting the most suitable CCS; while at the start-up and later stage, PHDs get more advice from weak ties (individual/s from the same industry and their acquaintances). PHDs place their personal trust more on the strong ties providing information related to CCS.
Interleukin‐33 prolongs allograft survival during chronic cardiac rejection

Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) stimulates the generation of cells and cytokines characteristic of a Th2 immune response. We examined the effects of IL‐33 on allografted heart tissue in a chronic cardiac rejection model, including analysis of the peripheral myeloid and lymphoid compartments. B6.C‐H2bm12/KhEg hearts were transplanted into MHC class II‐mismatched C57Bl/6J mice; IL‐33 was administered daily. Cells from allografts and spleens were isolated for flow cytometry and cultured for cytokine production; some tissues were used for immunohistochemistry. Animals treated with IL‐33 showed significantly longer allograft survival, which was associated with a distinct cytokine profile produced by graft‐infiltrating cells. Proinflammatory IL‐17A production was decreased with IL‐33 treatment, while increased levels of IL‐5, IL‐10, and IL‐13 were observed. After IL‐33 therapy, flow cytometry showed a direct induction of CD4+ Foxp3+ Treg, whereas the number of B220+ CD19+ B cells, and circulating, as well as allograft deposited, alloantibodies was reduced. Following IL‐33 treatment, a significant decrease in graft‐infiltrating CD11bhighGr1high granulocytes coincided with a significant increase in CD11bhighGr1intermediate myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC). In conclusion, IL‐33 treatment in the setting of chronic rejection promotes the development of a Th2‐type immune response that favors MDSC and Treg expansion, reduces antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR), and ultimately, prolongs allograft survival.
Adaptive Predictive Control of a Class of Strict-feedback Discrete-time Systems using Discrete Nussbaum Gain

In this paper, novel adaptive control is proposed for a class of second order nonlinear discrete-time systems in strict-feedback form with unknown control directions. The system is transformed into a two steps ahead predictor form, in which the adaptive control can be easily designed by the certainty equivalence principle with the employment of one step ahead predicted state. The resultant control law is of simple structure and the design method avoids complicated backstepping design. For the unknown control directions, the discrete Nussbaum gain is exploited in the parameter adaptation law in great contrast to continuous counterpart where Nussbaum gain is directly used in the control law. All the closed-loop signals are guaranteed to be uniformly bounded and the output tracking error is made to converge to zero. The effectiveness of the proposed control law is demonstrated in the simulation.
Representing Multiple Orientations in 2D with Orientation Channel Histograms

The channel representation is a simple yet powerful representation of scalars and vectors. It is especially suited for representation of several scalars at the same time without mixing them up.This report is partly intended to serve as a simple illustration of the channel representation. The report shows how the channels can be used to represent multiple orientations in two dimensions. The idea is to make a channel representation of the local orientation angle computed from the image gradient. The representation basically becomes an orientation histogram with overlapping bins.The channel histogram is compared with the orientation tensor, which is another representation of orientation. The performance comparable to tensors in the simple signal case, but decreases slightly for increasing number of channels. The channel histogram outperforms the tensors on non-simple signals.
Treatment Fidelity in Behavior Change Research: A Case Example

BackgroundTreatment fidelity refers to the methodological strategies used to monitor and enhance the reliability and validity of behavioral interventions. Assuring optimal treatment fidelity also may decrease the costs of a study and help the research team explain findings. ApproachThe Behavioral Change Consortium developed a comprehensive model of treatment fidelity that incorporates 5 areas: (a) study design, (b) training providers, (c) delivery of treatment, (d) receipt of treatment, and (e) enactment of treatment skills. The definitions of these areas and a case example (Testing the Effectiveness of the Exercise Plus Program) are provided. ResultsThere was evidence of treatment fidelity related to delivery based on careful monitoring of the study implementation. A comprehensive plan for training of the interventionists was provided, although evidence of treatment fidelity to training was not quantified. There were evidence based on observations of treatment sessions of delivery and receipt of the intervention and evidence of enactments based on evaluation of exercise calendars. DiscussionThe development and implementation of a treatment fidelity plan requires a careful conceptualization of what is relevant to treatment fidelity in any given study. Monitoring of treatment fidelity ideally requires direct or indirect observations of sessions, which can be built into the study design so that costs are minimal in terms of time and resources. Monitoring treatment fidelity allows research teams to truly test interventions and to develop and implement interventions that ultimately improve the overall health and well-being of individuals.