Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bidirectional Associations Between Child Sleep Problems and Internalizing and Externalizing Difficulties From Preschool to Early Adolescence

Importance Although multiple cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have established that sleep problems and behavioral difficulties are associated in children, the directionality of this association and whether sleep problems are differentially associated with different types of childhood behavioral difficulties are unclear. Understanding these associations will inform the focus and timing of interventions. Objective To determine whether longitudinal and reciprocal associations exist between child sleep problems and externalizing, internalizing, or both behavioral difficulties. Design, Setting, and Participants Prospective cohort study using nationally representative data from the first 5 waves (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012) of the kindergarten cohort (4983 children aged 4-5 years in 2004) collected for the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Associations were evaluated using cross-lagged structural equation model analyses performed from May 25, 2016, to September 20, 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Child sleep problems and internalizing and externalizing behavioral difficulties. Sleep problems were defined using parent-reported child sleep problem severity and specific difficulties (ie, difficulty getting to sleep at night, not happy sleeping alone, waking during the night, and restless sleep) on 4 or more nights of the week. Child behavioral difficulties were defined using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for externalizing difficulties (conduct problems and hyperactivity/inattention subscales) and internalizing difficulties (emotional problems subscale). Results The 4983 children enrolled in 2004 had a mean (SD) age of 4.7 (0.2) years and comprised a similar percentage of boys (2536 [50.9%]) and girls. In 2012, 3956 children (79.4%) aged 12 to 13 years were retained. Significant bidirectional associations were detected between sleep problems and externalizing difficulties during the elementary school transition period, with greater sleep problems associated with later externalizing behavior and vice versa (cross-lagged path coefficient, 0.04 [95% CI, 0.01-0.08] to 0.09 [95% CI, 0.06-0.13]). Although sleep was a significant driver of later internalizing difficulties (coefficient, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.07-0.14] to 0.16 [95% CI, 0.12-0.19]), the reverse association was not significant. In the final model that included all 3 constructs, the associations were attenuated but remained significant over time. Conclusions and Relevance These results suggest that future studies should investigate whether implementing sleep problem intervention decreases the occurrence of both externalizing and internalizing difficulties. Interventions targeting externalizing, but not internalizing, difficulties may benefit childhood sleep.
Cellular immune selection with hepatitis C virus persistence in humans

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection frequently persists despite substantial virus-specific cellular immune responses. To determine if immunologically driven sequence variation occurs with HCV persistence, we coordinately analyzed sequence evolution and CD8+ T cell responses to epitopes covering the entire HCV polyprotein in subjects who were followed prospectively from before infection to beyond the first year. There were no substitutions in T cell epitopes for a year after infection in a subject who cleared viremia. In contrast, in subjects with persistent viremia and detectable T cell responses, we observed substitutions in 69% of T cell epitopes, and every subject had a substitution in at least one epitope. In addition, amino acid substitutions occurred 13-fold more often within than outside T cell epitopes (P < 0.001, range 5–38). T lymphocyte recognition of 8 of 10 mutant peptides was markedly reduced compared with the initial sequence, indicating viral escape. Of 16 nonenvelope substitutions that occurred outside of known T cell epitopes, 8 represented conversion to consensus (P = 0.015). These findings reveal two distinct mechanisms of sequence evolution involved in HCV persistence: viral escape from CD8+ T cell responses and optimization of replicative capacity.
Parkin mutations and early-onset parkinsonism in a Taiwanese cohort.

BACKGROUND Loss of function of the parkin gene (PRKN) is the predominant genetic cause of juvenile and early-onset parkinsonism in Japan, Europe, and the United States. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the frequency of PRKN mutations in Taiwanese (ethnic Chinese) patients with early-onset parkinsonism and to explore genotype-phenotype correlations. DESIGN Clinical assessment included medical, neurologic, and psychiatric evaluation. Genomic DNA sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to identify PRKN mutations. Gene expression was examined in patient lymphoblastoid cell lines, in which PRKN mutations were identified. PATIENTS Forty-one Taiwanese patients with early-onset parkinsonism (aged <50 years at onset). RESULTS Four of 41 probands had PRKN mutations. One proband had compound heterozygous mutations, with a PRKN exon 2 deletion and an exon 7 G284R substitution. The phenotype resembled typical Parkinson disease. Three patients were mutation carriers. One proband had PRKN exon 2 and exon 3 deletions in the same allele. However, this patient's phenotype was that of classic "parkin-proven" autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism, characterized by symmetrical foot dystonia at onset, gait disturbance, diurnal change, and very slow progression. The 2 remaining carriers had novel heterozygous exon 11 R396G substitutions. Patients with PRKN mutations were younger at onset than those without mutations, and they required a lower dose of levodopa despite longer disease duration. CONCLUSIONS Mutations in PRKN are a rare cause of early-onset parkinsonism in Taiwanese individuals. The overall mutation frequency, adjusted for age at onset, was comparable with that reported for white cohorts; however, the point mutations identified seem to be population specific.
Correlates of Length of Stay and Boarding in Florida Emergency Departments for Patients With Psychiatric Diagnoses.

OBJECTIVE Length of stay (LOS) and boarding in the emergency department (ED) for psychiatric patients have been the subject of concern, given the problems with crowding and excessive wait times in EDs. This investigation examined correlates of LOS and boarding in Florida EDs for patients presenting with psychiatric complaints from 2010 to 2013. METHODS Utilizing the Florida ED discharge database, the authors examined the association of LOS and boarding with hospital and encounter factors for adult patients presenting with a primary psychiatric diagnosis (N=597,541). RESULTS The mean LOS was 7.77 hours. Anxiety disorders were the most frequent psychiatric complaint and were associated with the lowest mean LOS compared with other diagnoses (p<.05). Patient encounters resulting in a presentation of intentional self-harm and suicidality or schizophrenia were associated with significantly longer stays compared with other psychiatric diagnoses. Commercial insurance was associated with the shortest average LOS. African Americans, Hispanics, and patients age 45 and older were associated with a longer average LOS. Smaller hospital size, for-profit ownership, and rural designation were associated with a shorter average LOS. Teaching status was not associated with LOS. Furthermore, 73% of encounters resulting in transfers qualified as episodes of boarding (a stay of more than six or more hours in the ED). CONCLUSIONS Extended LOS was endemic for psychiatric patients in Florida EDs.
Fluid queues with heavy-tailed M/G/infinity input

We consider a fluid queue fed by several heterogeneous M / G / 00 input processes with regularly varying session lengths. Under fairly mild assumptions, we derive the exact asymptotic behavior of the stationary workload distribution. As a by-product, we obtain asymptotically tight bounds for the transient workload distribution. The results are strongly inspired by the large-deviations idea that overflow is typically due to some minimal combination of extremely long concurrent sessions causing positive drift. The typical configuration of long sessions is identified through a simple integer pro gram, paving the way for the exact computation of the asymptotic workload behavior. The calculations provide crucial insight in the typical overflow scenario.
Cycling Versus Uphill Walking: Impact on Locomotor Muscle Fatigue and Running Exercise.

PURPOSE To describe the effects of uphill walking versus cycling exercises on knee-extensor (KE) neuromuscular properties and subsequent running exercise. METHODS Nine athletes performed 4 different sessions (1 familiarization and 3 experimental sessions, visit 2-4). Visit 2 (cycling +10-km condition) consisted of the completion of 1-h cycling followed by a 10-km running time trial. Visit 3 consisted of the completion of 1-h uphill walking followed by a 10-km running exercise (RE). During the fourth visit, athletes only ran 10 km. Visits 3 and 4 were randomized. The uphill walking and cycling exercises were performed at the same intensity, and pacing of the RE was similar between conditions. Neuromuscular function of the KE was assessed before warm-up, after first exercise, and after RE. Heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded during all exercises. RESULTS RPE during RE was greater following the 1-h cycling and uphill walking exercises than during RE alone. KE force (-21%), twitch torque (-20%), doublet torque (-16%), and twitch rate of force development (-13%) significantly decreased following cycling exercise and not after uphill walking exercise. Postactivation potentiation was observed after uphill walking and RE. KE force-production capacity partially recovered after running in the cycling +10-km condition. CONCLUSION Uphill walking and running induced postactivation potentiation, limiting the decrease in KE force postexercise. Despite different alterations in force-production capacity induced by cycling and uphill walking, both exercises increased perception of effort during the subsequent RE.
DEVELOPMENT OF PROTOPLASTS OF ULVA FASCIATA (CHLOROPHYTA) FOR ALGAL SEED STOCK

The aim of this study was to isolate and cultivate protoplasts of the green alga Ulva fasciata Delile and subsequently induce them to form a microthallus suspension for algal seed stock. The protoplasts were covered with secreted mucilage following 6 h of culture when viewed with SEM. The mucilage fused to form thick layers during day 1 of culture. Microfibrillar cell walls were deposited into the thick layers of mucilage on the 5th day of culture. An average of about 10% of the freshly isolated protoplasts began to divide at 6–14 days. These protoplasts subsequently developed varied morphologies, depending on the time of collection during the year. Protoplasts isolated from U. fasciata collected in March to June developed frond thalli or microthalli when they were cultured in low or high densities (cells/area), respectively. The microthallus suspension was cultured for more than two years at 10–40 μmol·m−2·s−1. Frond thalli formed when the suspension was cultivated at 100–160 μmol·m−2·s−1. Therefore, microthallus suspension can serve as a seed stock of U. fasciata.
Morphological Indicators of a Mascon Beneath Ceres's Largest Crater, Kerwan

Gravity data of Ceres returned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Dawn spacecraft is consistent with a lower density crust of variable thickness overlying a higher density mantle. Crustal thickness variations can affect the long‐term, postimpact modification of impact craters on Ceres. Here we show that the unusual morphology of the 280 km diameter crater Kerwan may result from viscous relaxation in an outer layer that thins substantially beneath the crater floor. We propose that such a structure is consistent with either impact‐induced uplift of the high‐density mantle beneath the crater or from volatile loss during the impact event. In either case, the subsurface structure inferred from the crater morphology is superisostatic, and the mass excess would result in a positive Bouguer anomaly beneath the crater, consistent with the highest‐degree gravity data from Dawn. Ceres joins the Moon, Mars, and Mercury in having basin‐associated gravity anomalies, although their origin may differ substantially.
Resource Allocation and Seed Size Selection in Perennial Plants under Pollen Limitation

Pollen limitation may affect resource allocation patterns in plants, but its role in the selection of seed size is not known. Using an evolutionarily stable strategy model of resource allocation in perennial iteroparous plants, we show that under density-independent population growth, pollen limitation (i.e., a reduction in ovule fertilization rate) should increase the optimal seed size. At any level of pollen limitation (including none), the optimal seed size maximizes the ratio of juvenile survival rate to the resource investment needed to produce one seed (including both ovule production and seed provisioning); that is, the optimum maximizes the fitness effect per unit cost. Seed investment may affect allocation to postbreeding adult survival. In our model, pollen limitation increases individual seed size but decreases overall reproductive allocation, so that pollen limitation should also increase the optimal allocation to postbreeding adult survival. Under density-dependent population growth, the optimal seed size is inversely proportional to ovule fertilization rate. However, pollen limitation does not affect the optimal allocation to postbreeding adult survival and ovule production. These results highlight the importance of allocation trade-offs in the effect pollen limitation has on the ecology and evolution of seed size and postbreeding adult survival in perennial plants.
Cochrane Systematic Reviews of Chinese Herbal Medicines: An Overview

Objectives Our study had two objectives: a) to systematically identify all existing systematic reviews of Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) published in Cochrane Library; b) to assess the methodological quality of included reviews. Methodology/Principal Findings We performed a systematic search of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR, Issue 5, 2010) to identify all reviews of CHM. A total of fifty-eight reviews were eligible for our study. Twenty-one of the included reviews had at least one Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner as its co-author. 7 reviews didn't include any primary study, the remaining reviews (n = 51) included a median of 9 studies and 936 participants. 50% of reviews were last assessed as up-to-date prior to 2008. The questions addressed by 39 reviews were broad in scope, in which 9 reviews combined studies with different herbal medicines. For OQAQ, the mean of overall quality score (item 10) was 5.05 (95% CI; 4.58-5.52). All reviews assessed the methodological quality of primary studies, 16% of included primary studies used adequate sequence generation and 7% used adequate allocation concealment. Of the 51 nonempty reviews, 23 reviews were reported as being inconclusive, while 27 concluded that there might be benefit of CHM, which was limited by the poor quality or inadequate quantity of included studies. 58 reviews reported searching a median of seven electronic databases, while 10 reviews did not search any Chinese database. Conclusions Now CDSR has included large numbers of CHM reviews, our study identified some areas which could be improved, such as almost half of included reviews did not have the participation of TCM practitioners and were not up-to-date according to Cochrane criteria, some reviews pooled the results of different herbal medicines and ignored the searching of Chinese databases.
International Journal of Biological & Medical Research Comparative Study of Dna Fingerprinting of Biological Samples Obtained from Indian Buffaloes by Using Rflp, Aflp and Rapd Methods a B

Random Fragments Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) by using 14 samples from both breeds (Murrah and Surti buffalo) with the enzyme (EcoR-1), the genetic material of the same breed animals were more similar, a though not entirely unanimous but the different genetic backgrounds of these two species generated different fingerprint patterns. While, the AFLP fingerprinting technique by using two primers (EcoRI FP and EcoRI RP) with 21 samples of (Murrah and Surti breeds), the results showed similar within breed and different between two breeds. The different genetic backgrounds of these species generated different fingerprinting patterns between breeds, and similar fingerprinting patterns within breed. The last technique RAPD-PCR, were applied to study the genetic distance and genetic similarity in two Indian buffaloes breeds Murrah and Surti with a battery of 16 primer. RAPD pattern revealed the total polymorphism loci of two breeds (131 loci), the total loci amplified in two breeds (169). The estimate of genetic distance was highest (2.30) with the primer KMS1 and the lowest (0.41) with the primer KMS12. The GD pooled over the primers was (1.41±0.05) between these two breeds. The highest percentage difference estimate (100) with the primer KMS7 and the lowest (25) with the primer KMS15 and the MAPD between two breeds estimate (62.9±0.9).
The long-term impact of folic acid in pregnancy on offspring DNA methylation: follow-up of the Aberdeen Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (AFAST)

Abstract Background It has been proposed that maternal folic-acid supplement use may alter the DNA-methylation patterns of the offspring during the in-utero period, which could influence development and later-life health outcomes. Evidence from human studies suggests a role for prenatal folate levels in influencing DNA methylation in early life, but this has not been extended to consider persistent effects into adulthood. Methods To better elucidate the long-term impact of maternal folic acid in pregnancy on DNA methylation in offspring, we carried out an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) nested within the Aberdeen Folic Acid Supplementation Trial (AFAST—a trial of two different doses: 0.2 and 5 mg, folic acid vs placebo). Offspring of the AFAST participants were recruited at a mean age of 47 years and saliva samples were profiled on the Illumina Infinium Human Methylation450 array. Both single-site and differentially methylated region analyses were performed. Results We found an association at cg09112514 (p = 4.03×10–9), a CpG located in the 5’ untranslated region of PDGFRA, in the main analysis comparing the intervention arms [low- (0.2 mg) and high-dose (5 mg) folic acid combined (N = 43)] vs placebo (N = 43). Furthermore, a dose–response reduction in methylation at this site was identified in relation to the intervention. In the regional approach, we identified 46 regions of the genome that were differentially methylated in response to the intervention (Sidak p-value <0.05), including HLA-DPB2, HLA-DPB1, PAX8 and VTRNA2–1. Whereas cg09112514 did not replicate in an independent EWAS of maternal plasma folate, there was suggested replication of differential methylation in PAX8. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that maternal folic-acid supplement use is associated with changes in the DNA methylation of the offspring that persist for many years after exposure in utero. These methylation changes are located in genes implicated in embryonic development, immune response and cellular proliferation. Further work to investigate whether these epigenetic changes translate into detectable phenotypic differences is required.
The Effect of Moisture Ratio and Drying Restraint on the Stress Relaxation of Paper

The aim of this work was to define an accurate method for characterisation of the viscous behaviour of paper materials and to use the developed method for investigating the effects of prescribed straining magnitude, moisture ratio and drying restraint on the stress relaxation of paper. A pilot machine-made kraft paper was investigated. The paper was collected after the wet press section in the paper machine and was then laboratory dried using different inplane drying restraints in order to produce paper samples with different drying histories. The laboratory drying trials were also interrupted after different drying times in order to produce paper samples with different moisture ratios. Tensile testing, stress relaxation testing, and measurements of moisture ratio were performed for all produced paper samples. The evaluated tensile stiffness from the tensile testing was utilised to extract the elastic part of the prescribed total straining in the stress relaxation tests. The stress relaxation modulus, i.e. the ratio of stress to elastic strain, was introduced as a measure for characterising the viscous material behaviour during stress relaxation testing. The stress relaxation modulus of the investigated paper was shown to exhibit log-linear dependence of time, reversibility at repeated testing on one test piece, and to be virtually unaffected by the applied magnitude of prescribed straining. These results applied to all paper samples, independently of their moisture ratio and the used drying restraint. Consequently, the studied paper was shown to obey linear viscoelasticity during stress relaxation. Furthermore, the ratio of the stress relaxation modulus to the tensile stiffness was shown to be virtually unaffected by the moisture ratio and drying restraint, which implies that the stress relaxation modulus of the studied paper scales with the elastic modulus, regardless of the progress of the drying process or the used drying strategy.
Linking Hydrogen (δ 2H) Isotopes in Feathers and Precipitation: Sources of Variance and Consequences for Assignment to Isoscapes

Background Tracking small migrant organisms worldwide has been hampered by technological and recovery limitations and sampling bias inherent in exogenous markers. Naturally occurring stable isotopes of H (δ2H) in feathers provide an alternative intrinsic marker of animal origin due to the predictable spatial linkage to underlying hydrologically driven flow of H isotopes into foodwebs. This approach can assess the likelihood that a migrant animal originated from a given location(s) within a continent but requires a robust algorithm linking H isotopes in tissues of interest to an appropriate hydrological isotopic spatio-temporal pattern, such as weighted-annual rainfall. However, a number of factors contribute to or alter expected isotopic patterns in animals. We present results of an extensive investigation into taxonomic and environmental factors influencing feather δ 2H patterns across North America. Principal Findings Stable isotope data were measured from 544 feathers from 40 species and 140 known locations. For δ 2H, the most parsimonious model explaining 83% of the isotopic variance was found with amount-weighted growing-season precipitation δ 2H, foraging substrate and migratory strategy. Conclusions/Significance This extensive H isotopic analysis of known-origin feathers of songbirds in North America and elsewhere reconfirmed the strong coupling between tissue δ 2H and global hydrologic δ 2H patterns, and accounting for variance associated with foraging substrate and migratory strategy, can be used in conservation and research for the purpose of assigning birds and other species to their approximate origin.