Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS): final development and validation.

OBJECTIVE A major barrier to developing treatments for negative symptoms has been measurement concerns with existing assessment tools. Fulfilling the top recommendation of the National Institute of Mental Health's Consensus Development Conference on Negative Symptoms, the Clinical Assessment Interview for Negative Symptoms (CAINS) was developed using an iterative, empirical approach, and includes items assessing motivation, pleasure, and emotion expression. The authors employed multiple analytic techniques to develop the CAINS and here provide final development and validation results. METHOD The CAINS structure, interrater agreement, test-retest reliability, and convergent and discriminant validity were assessed in a large and diverse sample of 162 outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder recruited from four sites. RESULTS Three items with poor psychometric properties were removed, resulting in a 13-item CAINS. The CAINS factor structure was replicated, demonstrating two modestly correlated scales: expression (four items) and motivation/pleasure (nine items). The scales demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest stability, and interrater agreement. Strong convergent validity was demonstrated by linkages with other negative symptom measures, self-report scales of sociality, pleasure, and motivation, and coded facial expressions. Discriminant validity was shown by independence from depression, medication side effects, and cognition. Notably, the CAINS scales were related to real-world vocational, independent living, and social/familial functioning. CONCLUSIONS The CAINS is an empirically developed and evaluated measure of negative symptoms. Findings indicate that the CAINS is brief yet comprehensive and employable across a wide range of research and clinical contexts.
The Landscape Continuum: A Model for High-Elevation Ecosystems

Abstract Interactions between climate and ecosystems with complex topographic gradients generate unique source and sink habitats for water and nutrients as a result of precipitation, energy, and chemical redistribution. We examined these phenomena for a high-elevation site in the Colorado Front Range. Current changes in climate and atmospheric deposition of nitrogen to these systems are causing rapid changes in some portions of this system but not in others. Using a conceptual model that links terrestrial ecosystems to each other and to aquatic ecosystems, we report how atmospheric inputs and endogenous resources can be amplified or attenuated by transport processes. High-elevation lakes and the alpine tundra–forest ecotone are expected to receive the brunt of anthropogenic inputs obtained from (a) the redistribution of exogenous materials from the regional environment and (b) endogenous sources originating in other montane areas.
Misleading and reliable markers to differentiate between primate testis-derived multipotent stromal cells and spermatogonia in culture

BACKGROUND Several studies have reported the generation of spermatogonia-derived pluripotent stem cells from human testes. The initial aim of the present study was the derivation of equivalent stem cells from an established and experimentally accessible non-human primate model, the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus). However, an essential prerequisite in the absence of transgenic reporters in primates and man is the availability of validated endogenous markers for the identification of specific cell types in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS We cultured marmoset testicular cells in a similar way to that described for human testis-derived pluripotent cells and set out to characterize these cultures under different conditions and in differentiation assays applying established marker panels. Importantly, the cells emerged as testicular multipotent stromal cells (TMSCs) instead of (pluripotent) germ cell-derived cells. TMSCs expressed many markers such as GFR-α, GPR125, THY-1 (CD90), ITGA6, SSEA4 and TRA-1-81, which were considered as spermatogonia specific and were previously used for the enrichment or characterization of spermatogonia. Proliferation of TMSCs was highly dependent on basic fibroblast growth factor, a growth factor routinely present in germ cell culture media. As reliable markers for the distinction between spermatogonia and TMSCs, we established VASA, in combination with the spermatogonia-expressed factors, MAGEA4, PLZF and SALL4. CONCLUSIONS Marmoset monkey TMSCs and spermatogonia exhibit an overlap of markers, which may cause erroneous interpretations of experiments with testis-derived stem cells in vitro. We provide a marker panel for the unequivocal identification of spermatogonia providing a better basis for future studies on primate, including human, testis-derived stem cells.
V-cycle Optimal Convergence for Certain (Multilevel) Structured Linear Systems

In this paper we are interested in the solution by multigrid strategies of multilevel linear systems whose coefficient matrices belong to the circulant, Hartley, or $\tau$ algebras or to the Toeplitz class and are generated by (the Fourier expansion of) a nonnegative multivariate polynomial f. It is well known that these matrices are banded and have eigenvalues equally distributed as f, so they are ill-conditioned whenever f takes the zero value; they can even be singular and need a low-rank correction. We prove the V-cycle multigrid iteration to have a convergence rate independent of the dimension even in presence of ill-conditioning. If the (multilevel) coefficient matrix has partial dimension nr at level r, r=1,. ,d, then the size of the algebraic system is $N(n)=\prod_{r=1}^d n_r$, O(N(n)) operations are required by our technique, and therefore the corresponding method is optimal. Some numerical experiments concerning linear systems arising in applications, such as elliptic PDEs with mixed boundary conditions and image restoration problems, are considered and discussed.
Evaluating a Potential Commercial Tool for Healthcare Application for People with Dementia

The widespread use of smartphones and sensors has made physiology, environment, and public health notifications amenable to continuous monitoring. Personalized digital health and patient empowerment can become a reality only if the complex multisensory and multimodal data is processed within the patient context, converting relevant medical knowledge into actionable information for better and timely decisions. We apply these principles in the healthcare domain of dementia. Specifically, in this study we validate one of our sensor platforms to ascertain whether it will be suitable for detecting physiological changes that may help us detect changes in people with dementia. This study shows our preliminary data collection results from six healthy participants using the commercially available Hexoskin vest. The results show strong promise to derive actionable information using a combination of physiological observations from passive sensors present in the vest. The derived actionable information can help doctors determine physiological changes associated with dementia, and alert patients and caregivers to seek timely clinical assistance to improve their quality of life.
ANALYSIS OF TRANSMISSION AND REFLECTION FROM MODIFIED COPLANAR WAVEGUIDE STRUCTURES

In this paper, several geometries of a class of grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) are investigated using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method, and their losses are computed. A uniform grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) structure is used as a reference case for the other non-uniform geometries. First, four geometries are proposed to study the transmission and loss effect of replacing parts of the dielectric substrate with free space. Afterwards, two new geometries are simulated to study the effect of introducing a neck and a gap in the microstrip feeding line, with and without a bridge that connects the two parts of the microstrip feeding line separated with the gap. The effect of adding a PEC cap above the microstrip feeding line, and connecting the two side ground planes, is also studied. The conductor attenuation, the relative power losses, and the feed line impedance are computed and presented.
Predicting a Single-Temperature Fit to Multicomponent Thermal Plasma Spectra

Observed X-ray spectra of hot gas in clusters, groups, and individual galaxies are commonly fit with a single-temperature thermal plasma model, although the beam may contain emission from components with different temperatures. Recently, Mazzotta et al. pointed out that thus derived Tspec can be significantly different from commonly used definitions of average temperature, such as emission-weighted or emission measure-weighted T, and found an analytic expression for predicting Tspec for a mixture of plasma spectra with relatively hot temperatures (T ≳ 3 keV). In this paper, we propose an algorithm that can accurately predict Tspec in a much wider range of temperatures (T ≳ 0.5 keV) and for essentially arbitrary abundances of heavy elements. This algorithm can be applied in the deprojection analysis of objects with the temperature and metallicity gradients, for correction of the point-spread function (PSF) effects, for consistent comparison of numerical simulations of galaxy clusters and groups with the X-ray observations, and for estimating how emission from undetected components can bias the global X-ray spectral analysis.
Hypoxia decreases podocyte expression of slit diaphragm proteins

Background Chronic hypoxia contributes to progressive tubulointerstitial injury and, consequently, renal failure. However, the effect of hypoxia on glomerular podocytes, which are integral to the slit diaphragm complex and responsible for selectivity of the glomerular filtration barrier, has not been completely determined. Methods Conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cells were exposed to hypoxic (1% O2) or normoxic (room air) conditions for 24, 48, or 72 hours, after which cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cells were stained with podocin and phalloidin to determine podocin and intracellular actin distribution. Expression of synaptopodin, CD2-associated protein (CD2AP), NcK, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Podocytes exposed to hypoxia had significantly reduced viability at 48 (87%) and 72 hours (66%). There was disarrangement of intracellular filament actin by phalloidin staining, a 30% weaker fluorescence intensity by podocin staining, significantly reduced expression of synaptopodin (12%), CD2AP (42%), NcK (38%), and increased expression of TGF-β1 and P-ERK after hypoxia treatment. Conclusion Podocyte exposure to hypoxia leads to reduced viability and SD protein expression, which may explain persistent and/or increasing proteinuria in patients with progressive renal failure. Increased expression of TGF-β1 and P-ERK is associated with apoptosis and fibrosis, which could be the link between hypoxia and glomerular injury.
The Net Effect of Exchange Rates on Agricultural Inputs and Outputs

For more than thirty years, studies about the effect of the exchange rate on exports have been conducted. However, few have considered the combined effect of the exchange rate on imported inputs into the agricultural system and the exports of final agricultural products those inputs produce. A current concern is for the net effect as the total value and quantity of inputs imported has increased. This research examines the effect of exchange rate changes on imported inputs into the corn, wheat, and beef cattle production systems. Effects on cost of production budgets are calculated, examining affects on profitability. Vector Autoregression (VAR) and Bayesian Averaging of Classical Estimates (BACE) models were estimated to evaluate those effects. Daily and weekly price data were used for corn, wheat, feeder steers, ethanol, diesel, ammonia, urea, di-ammonium phosphate, and the exchange rate. A VAR model was estimated to model the relationship between the variables. After having incongruous test results in determining the lag length structure it was decided that a BACE model would be approximated. After estimating the BACE model the price responses of the commodities to the exchange rates was estimated. The price responses were used in demonstrating the effect of the exchange rate on a producer’s profitability. It was determined that, generally, a strengthening exchange rate has a negative impact on prices. It was also found that the exchange rate has a greater impact on prices now than it did 14 years ago, implying that the exchange rate now has a greater affect on profitability. A one percent increase in the value of the dollar led to a decline in profitability ranging from $0.02/bu in wheat to $0.56/cwt in feeder steers. However, agricultural producers should not be overly concerned about a lower valued dollar from the perspective of their agricultural business.
Colostrum avoidance, prelacteal feeding and late breast-feeding initiation in rural Northern Ethiopia

Abstract Objective To identify specific cultural and behavioural factors that might be influenced to increase colostrum feeding in a rural village in Northern Ethiopia to improve infant health. Design Background interviews were conducted with six community health workers and two traditional birth attendants. A semi-structured tape-recorded interview was conducted with twenty mothers, most with children under the age of 5 years. Variables were: parental age and education; mother's ethnicity; number of live births and children's age; breast-feeding from birth through to weaning; availability and use of formula; and descriptions of colostrum v. other stages of breast milk. Participant interviews were conducted in Amharic and translated into English. Setting Kossoye, a rural Amhara village with high prevalence rates of stunting: inappropriate neonatal feeding is thought to be a factor. Subjects Women (20–60 years of age) reporting at least one live birth (range: 1–8, mean: ∼4). Results Colostrum (inger) and breast milk (yetut wotet) were seen as different substances. Colostrum was said to cause abdominal problems, but discarding a portion was sufficient to mitigate this effect. Almost all (nineteen of twenty) women breast-fed and twelve (63 %) reported ritual prelacteal feeding. A majority (fifteen of nineteen, 79 %) reported discarding colostrum and breast-feeding within 24 h of birth. Prelacteal feeding emerged as an additional factor to be targeted through educational intervention. Conclusions To maximize neonatal health and growth, we recommend culturally tailored education delivered by community health advocates and traditional health practitioners that promotes immediate colostrum feeding and discourages prelacteal feeding.
Hepcidin suppression and defective iron recycling account for dysregulation of iron homeostasis in heme oxygenase-1 deficiency

Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) contribution to iron homeostasis has been postulated, because it facilitates iron recycling by liberating iron mostly from heme catabolism. This enzyme also appears to be responsible for the resolution of inflammatory conditions. In a patient with HO‐1 deficiency, inflammation and dysregulation of body iron homeostasis, including anemia and liver and kidney hemosiderosis, are evidenced. Here we postulated that HO‐1 is critical in the regulation of ferroportin, the major cellular iron exporter, and hepcidin, the key regulator of iron homeostasis central in the pathogenesis of anemia of inflammation. Our current experiments in human THP‐1 monocytic cells indicate a HO‐1‐induced iron‐mediated surface‐ferroportin expression, consistent with the role of HO‐1 in iron recycling. Surprisingly, we observed low hepcidin levels in the HO‐1‐deficient patient, despite the presence of inflammation and hemosiderosis, both inducers of hepcidin. Instead, we observed highly increased soluble transferrin receptor levels. This suggests that the decreased hepcidin levels in HO‐1 deficiency reflect the increased need for iron in the bone marrow due to the anaemia. Using human hepatoma cells, we demonstrate that HO‐activity did not have a direct modulating effect on expression of HAMP, the gene that encodes for hepcidin. Therefore, we argue that the decreased iron recycling may, in part, have contributed to the low hepcidin levels. These findings indicate that dysregulation of iron homeostasis in HO‐1 deficiency is the result of both defective iron recycling and erythroid activity‐associated inhibition of hepcidin expression. This study therefore shows a crucial role for HO‐1 in maintaining body iron balance.
Airborne measurements of new particle formation in the free troposphere above the Mediterranean Sea during the HYMEX campaign

While atmospheric new particle formation (NPF) has been observed in various environments and was found to contribute significantly to the total aerosol particle concentration , the production of new particles over open seas is poorly documented in the literature. Nucleation events were detected and analysed over the Mediterranean Sea using two condensation particle counters and a scanning mobility particle sizer on board the ATR-42 research aircraft during flights conducted between 11 September and 4 Novem-ber 2012 in the framework of the HYMEX (HYdrological cycle in Mediterranean EXperiment) project. The main purpose of the present work was to characterize the spatial extent of the NPF process, both horizontally and vertically. Our findings show that nucleation is occurring over large areas above the Mediterranean Sea in all air mass types. Maximum concentrations of particles in the size range 5-10 nm (N 5-10) do not systematically coincide with lower fetches (time spent by the air mass over the sea before sampling), and significant N 5-10 values are found for fetches between 0 and 60 h depending on the air mass type. These observations suggest that nucleation events could be more influenced by local precursors originating from emission processes occurring above the sea, rather than linked to synoptic history. Vertical soundings were performed, giving the opportunity to examine profiles of the N 5-10 concentration and to analyse the vertical extent of NPF. Our observations demonstrate that the process could be favoured above 1000 m, i.e. frequently in the free troposphere, and more especially between 2000 and 3000 m, where the NPF frequency is close to 50 %. This vertical distribution of NPF might be favoured by the gradients of several atmospheric parameters, together with the mixing of two air parcels, which could also explain the occurrence of the process at preferential altitudes. In addition, increased condensation sinks collocated with high concentrations of small particles suggest the occurrence of NPF events promoted by inputs from the boundary layer, most probably associated with convective clouds and their outflow. After their formation , particles slowly grow at higher altitudes to diameters of at least 30 nm while not being greatly depleted or affected by coagulation. Our analysis of the particle size distributions suggests that particle growth could decrease with increasing altitude.
Is the Business Cycle of Argentina "Different"?

Despite the relative success of Real Business Cycle (RBC) models to replicate key moments of the business cycles of the United States and several European countries, economic research in Latin America tends to take the more traditional view that monetary factors play a predominant role in the economic fluctuations of countries in that part of the world. The different theoretical approach is often justified on the grounds that business cycles in Latin America are "different. " However, few comparative studies have analyzed the relevant difference between the business cycles of Latin America and those of the United States and Europe. In this article, Finn Kydland and Carlos Zarazaga present business-cycle facts for Argentina, following as closely as possible the empirical methodology and statistics other studies have used to characterize U.S. and European business cycles. Overall, the authors find no a priori evidence that dynamic general equilibrium models, in which real shocks are the only source of economic fluctuations, cannot potentially account for as much of the Argentinean business cycle as such models do for business cycles in the United States and Europe.
Comprehensive Mapping of p53 Pathway Alterations Reveals an Apparent Role for Both SNP309 and MDM2 Amplification in Sarcomagenesis

Purpose: Reactivation of p53 tumor suppressor activity in diseases such as soft-tissue sarcoma is considered an attractive means of targeted therapy. By systematically assessing alterations affecting the p53 pathway, we aimed to (a) classify sarcoma subtypes, (b) define a potential role in malignancy, and (c) identify potential patient biomarkers in this heterogeneous disease. Experimental Design: We have mapped mutational events in a panel of 192 benign or malignant bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Analyses included TP53 and CDKN2A mutational and SNP status, MDM2 and MDM4 amplification and MDM2 SNP309 status. Results: We found an inverse relationship between MDM2 amplification and TP53 mutations, with a predominantly wild-type CDKN2A background. A high rate of point mutations in TP53 was observed uniquely in leiomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and MFH. Both MDM2 and MDM4 were also amplified in a subtype-specific manner, which was frequently seen as a coamplification event. We have also analyzed the risk allele frequencies for MDM2 SNP309, and show that the G allele was strongly associated with both liposarcomas and MDM2 amplification. Conclusions: Our data emphasize the critical role of p53 inactivation in sarcomagenesis, whereby different pathway alterations may be related to the heterogeneity of the disease. Moreover, we observed a strong association of malignancy with TP53 mutation, or MDM2 amplification and the presence of a G allele in SNP309, especially in lipoma versus liposarcoma. We propose, therefore, that MDM2 markers along with TP53 sequencing should be considered as patient biomarkers in clinical trials of sarcomas using MDM2 antagonists. Clin Cancer Res; 17(3); 416–26. ©2010 AACR.