Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prefrontal Asymmetry and Parent-Rated Temperament in Infants

Indicators of temperament appear early in infancy and remain relatively stable over time. Despite a great deal of interest in biological indices of temperament, most studies of infant temperament rely on parental reports or behavioral tasks. Thus, the extent to which commonly used temperament measures relate to potential biological indicators of infant temperament is still relatively unknown. The current experiment examines the relationship between a common parental report measure of temperament – the Infant Behavior Questionnaire – Revised (IBQ-R) – and measures of frontal EEG asymmetry in infants. We examined associations between the subscales of the IBQ-R and frontal EEG asymmetry scores recorded during a combined series of neutral attentional and putatively emotional recording conditions in infants between 7 and 9 months of age. We predicted that approach-related subscales of the IBQ-R (e.g., Approach, Soothability) would be related to greater left prefrontal asymmetry, while withdrawal-related subscales (e.g., Distress to Limitations, Fear, Falling Reactivity, Perceptual Sensitivity) would be related to greater right prefrontal asymmetry. In the mid- and lateral-frontal regions, Approach, Distress to Limitations, Fear, Soothability, and Perceptual Sensitivity were generally associated with greater left frontal activation (rs≥.23, ps<0.05), while only Falling Reactivity was associated with greater right frontal activation (rs≤−.44, ps<0.05). Results suggest that variability in frontal EEG asymmetry is robustly associated with parental report measures of temperament in infancy.
Bi-Covering: Covering Edges with Two Small Subsets of Vertices

We study the following basic problem called Bi-Covering. Given a graph G(V, E), find two (not necessarily disjoint) sets A subseteq V and B subseteq V such that A union B = V and that every edge e belongs to either the graph induced by A or to the graph induced by B. The goal is to minimize max{|A|, |B|}. This is the most simple case of the Channel Allocation problem [Gandhi et al., Networks, 2006]. A solution that outputs V,emptyset gives ratio at most 2. We show that under the similar Strong Unique Game Conjecture by [Bansal-Khot, FOCS, 2009] there is no 2 - epsilon ratio algorithm for the problem, for any constant epsilon > 0. Given a bipartite graph, Max-bi-clique is a problem of finding largest k*k complete bipartite sub graph. For Max-bi-clique problem, a constant factor hardness was known under random 3-SAT hypothesis of Feige [Feige, STOC, 2002] and also under the assumption that NP ! subseteq intersection_{epsilon > 0} BPTIME(2^{n^{epsilon}}) [Khot, SIAM J. on Comp., 2011]. It was an open problem in [Ambuhl et. al., SIAM J. on Comp., 2011] to prove inapproximability of Max-bi-clique assuming weaker conjecture. Our result implies similar hardness result assuming the Strong Unique Games Conjecture. On the algorithmic side, we also give better than 2 approximation for Bi-Covering on numerous special graph classes. In particular, we get 1.876 approximation for Chordal graphs, exact algorithm for Interval Graphs, 1 + o(1) for Minor Free Graph, 2 - 4*delta/3 for graphs with minimum degree delta*n, 2/(1+delta^2/8) for delta-vertex expander, 8/5 for Split Graphs, 2 - (6/5)*1/d for graphs with minimum constant degree d etc. Our algorithmic results are quite non-trivial. In achieving these results, we use various known structural results about the graphs, combined with the techniques that we develop tailored to getting better than 2 approximation.
Free‐running circadian period in adolescents and adults

Sleep timing shifts later during adolescence (second decade). This trend reverses at ~20 years and continues to shift earlier into adulthood. The current analysis examined the hypothesis that a longer free‐running circadian period during late adolescence (14–17 years) compared with adulthood (30–45 years) accounts for sleep timing differences. Sex and ancestry were also examined because previous reports find that women and those with African‐American ancestry have shorter free‐running periods. Circadian period was measured using an ultradian dark–light protocol (2 hr dark/sleep, 2 hr dim room light [~20 lux]/wake) over 3.4 days. Dim light melatonin onsets were measured before and after the ultradian protocol, from which the circadian period was derived. In contrast to our hypothesis, we found that free‐running circadian period was similar in adolescents and adults. African‐American adults had shorter free‐running circadian periods compared with adults of other ancestries. This ancestry difference was not seen in the adolescent group. Finally, we observed a non‐significant trend for shorter free‐running circadian periods in females compared with males. These data suggest that age‐related changes in circadian period after late adolescence do not account for sleep timing differences. These data provide further support for ancestry‐related differences in period, particularly in adults. Whether the large difference in circadian period between African‐American and other ancestries emerges later in development should be explored.
Test-retest reliability of a handheld dynamometer for measurement of isometric cervical muscle strength.

BACKGROUND There is a lack of test-retest reliability studies of measurements of cervical muscle strength, taking into account gender and possible learning effects. OBJECTIVE To investigate test-retest reliability of measurement of maximal isometric cervical muscle strength by handheld dynamometry. METHODS Thirty women (age 20-58 years) and 28 men (age 20-60 years) participated in the study. Maximal isometric strength (neck flexion, neck extension, and right/left lateral flexion) was measured on three separate days at least five days apart by one evaluator. RESULTS Intra-rater consistency tended to improve from day 1-2 measurements to day 2-3 measurements in both women and men. In women, the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) for day 2 to day 3 measurements were 0.91 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.82-0.95) for neck flexion, 0.88 (95% CI, 0.76-0.94) for neck extension, 0.84 (95% CI, 0.68-0.92) for right lateral flexion, and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.78-0.95) for left lateral flexion. The corresponding ICCs among men were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.72-0.93) for neck flexion, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.85-0.97) for neck extension, 0.82 (95% CI, 0.65-0.91) for right lateral flexion and 0.73 (95% CI, 0.50-0.87) for left lateral flexion. CONCLUSION This study describes a reliable and easy-to-administer test for assessing maximal isometric cervical muscle strength.
Choreography of the Transcriptome, Photophysiology, and Cell Cycle of a Minimal Photoautotroph, Prochlorococcus

The marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus MED4 has the smallest genome and cell size of all known photosynthetic organisms. Like all phototrophs at temperate latitudes, it experiences predictable daily variation in available light energy which leads to temporal regulation and partitioning of key cellular processes. To better understand the tempo and choreography of this minimal phototroph, we studied the entire transcriptome of the cell over a simulated daily light-dark cycle, and placed it in the context of diagnostic physiological and cell cycle parameters. All cells in the culture progressed through their cell cycles in synchrony, thus ensuring that our measurements reflected the behavior of individual cells. Ninety percent of the annotated genes were expressed, and 80% had cyclic expression over the diel cycle. For most genes, expression peaked near sunrise or sunset, although more subtle phasing of gene expression was also evident. Periodicities of the transcripts of genes involved in physiological processes such as in cell cycle progression, photosynthesis, and phosphorus metabolism tracked the timing of these activities relative to the light-dark cycle. Furthermore, the transitions between photosynthesis during the day and catabolic consumption of energy reserves at night— metabolic processes that share some of the same enzymes — appear to be tightly choreographed at the level of RNA expression. In-depth investigation of these patterns identified potential regulatory proteins involved in balancing these opposing pathways. Finally, while this analysis has not helped resolve how a cell with so little regulatory capacity, and a ‘deficient’ circadian mechanism, aligns its cell cycle and metabolism so tightly to a light-dark cycle, it does provide us with a valuable framework upon which to build when the Prochlorococcus proteome and metabolome become available.
Complete heart block complicating the acute phase of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infection in infants. In recent years, the importance of extrapulmonary complications and longterm sequelae including those involving the cardiovascular system has become apparent. We report on a 10 month old infant with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis, the acute phase of which was complicated by irreversible complete heart block, which was managed conservatively.
Hollow stem in cauliflower

The occurrence of, sometimes large, cavities in the stem of cauliflower formed a serious quality problem for Dutch cauliflower growers in recent years. The cause of the problem under the local conditions was not clear. In field experiments, the application of boron and variation in the growth rate of the crop, were studied for effects on the occurrence and degree of seriousness of hollow stem. Broadcast application of boron at 1 and 2 kg per hectare at planting had no effect on the percentage of affected plants nor on the length of the cavities. There was no causal relation between the boron content of the stem at harvest and the occurrence or the length of the cavities. However, a positive relation between the average growth rate of the stem and the percentage of affected plants was observed
Investigation of the interactions between aptamer and misfolded proteins: From monomer and oligomer to fibril by single‐molecule force spectroscopy

Increasing knowledge on the understanding interactions of aptamer with misfolded proteins (including monomer, oligomer, and amyloid fibril) is crucial for development of aggregation inhibitors and diagnosis of amyloid diseases. Herein, the interactions of lysozyme monomer–, oligomer‐, and amyloid fibril–aptamer were investigated using single‐molecule force spectroscopy. The results revealed that the aptamer screened against lysozyme monomer could also bind to oligomer and amyloid fibril, in spite of the recognition at a lower binding probability. It may be attributed to the inherent structural differences of misfolded proteins and the flexible conformation of aptamer. In addition, dynamic force spectra showed that there were similar dissociation paths in the dissociation process of lysozyme monomer–, oligomer‐, and amyloid fibril–aptamer complexes. It showed that the dissociation only passed 1 energy barrier from the binding state to the detachment. However, the dynamic parameters suggested that the oligomer‐ and amyloid fibril–aptamer were more stable than lysozyme monomer–aptamer. The phenomena may result from the exposure of aptamer‐recognized sequences on the surface and the electrostatic interactions. This work demonstrated that single‐molecule force spectroscopy could be a powerful tool to study the binding behavior of the aptamer with misfolded proteins at single‐molecule level, providing abundant information for researches and comprehensive applications of aptamer probes in diagnosis of amyloid diseases.
Synchronization of identical neural networks and other systems with an adaptive coupling strength

In this paper, a new scheme to synchronize linearly or nonlinearly coupled identical circuit systems, which include neural networks and other systems, with an adaptive coupling strength is proposed. Unlike other adaptive schemes that synchronize coupled circuit systems to a specified trajectory (or an equilibrium point) of the uncoupled node by adding negative feedbacks adaptively, here the new adaptive scheme for the coupling strength is used to synchronize coupled systems without knowing the final synchronization trajectory. Moreover, the adaptive scheme is applicable when the coupling matrix is unknown or time-varying. The validity of the new adaptive scheme is also proved rigorously. Finally, several numerical simulations to synchronize coupled neural networks, Chua's circuits and Lorenz systems, are also given to show the effectiveness of the theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Colour Patterns Do Not Diagnose Species: Quantitative Evaluation of a DNA Barcoded Cryptic Bumblebee Complex

Cryptic diversity within bumblebees (Bombus) has the potential to undermine crucial conservation efforts designed to reverse the observed decline in many bumblebee species worldwide. Central to such efforts is the ability to correctly recognise and diagnose species. The B. lucorum complex (Bombus lucorum, B. cryptarum and B. magnus) comprises one of the most abundant and important group of wild plant and crop pollinators in northern Europe. Although the workers of these species are notoriously difficult to diagnose morphologically, it has been claimed that queens are readily diagnosable from morphological characters. Here we assess the value of colour-pattern characters in species identification of DNA-barcoded queens from the B. lucorum complex. Three distinct molecular operational taxonomic units were identified each representing one species. However, no uniquely diagnostic colour-pattern character state was found for any of these three molecular units and most colour-pattern characters showed continuous variation among the units. All characters previously deemed to be unique and diagnostic for one species were displayed by specimens molecularly identified as a different species. These results presented here raise questions on the reliability of species determinations in previous studies and highlights the benefits of implementing DNA barcoding prior to ecological, taxonomic and conservation studies of these important key pollinators.
Genomic and Resistance Gene Homolog Diversity of the Dominant Tallgrass Prairie Species across the U.S. Great Plains Precipitation Gradient

Background Environmental variables such as moisture availability are often important in determining species prevalence and intraspecific diversity. The population genetic structure of dominant plant species in response to a cline of these variables has rarely been addressed. We evaluated the spatial genetic structure and diversity of Andropogon gerardii populations across the U.S. Great Plains precipitation gradient, ranging from approximately 48 cm/year to 105 cm/year. Methodology/Principal Findings Genomic diversity was evaluated with AFLP markers and diversity of a disease resistance gene homolog was evaluated by PCR-amplification and digestion with restriction enzymes. We determined the degree of spatial genetic structure using Mantel tests. Genomic and resistance gene homolog diversity were evaluated across prairies using Shannon's index and by averaging haplotype dissimilarity. Trends in diversity across prairies were determined using linear regression of diversity on average precipitation for each prairie. We identified significant spatial genetic structure, with genomic similarity decreasing as a function of distance between samples. However, our data indicated that genome-wide diversity did not vary consistently across the precipitation gradient. In contrast, we found that disease resistance gene homolog diversity was positively correlated with precipitation. Significance Prairie remnants differ in the genetic resources they maintain. Selection and evolution in this disease resistance homolog is environmentally dependent. Overall, we found that, though this environmental gradient may not predict genomic diversity, individual traits such as disease resistance genes may vary significantly.
Gibberellin and Auxin Influence the Diurnal Transcription Pattern of Photoreceptor Genes via CRY1a in Tomato

Background Plant photoreceptors, phytochromes and cryptochromes, regulate many aspects of development and growth, such as seed germination, stem elongation, seedling de-etiolation, cotyledon opening, flower induction and circadian rhythms. There are several pieces of evidence of interaction between photoreceptors and phyto-hormones in all of these physiological processes, but little is known about molecular and genetic mechanisms underlying hormone-photoreceptor crosstalk. Methodology/Principal Findings In this work, we investigated the molecular effects of exogenous phyto-hormones to photoreceptor gene transcripts of tomato wt, as well as transgenic and mutant lines with altered cryptochromes, by monitoring day/night transcript oscillations. GA and auxin alter the diurnal expression level of different photoreceptor genes in tomato, especially in mutants that lack a working form of cryptochrome 1a: in those mutants the expression of some (IAA) or most (GA) photoreceptor genes is down regulated by these hormones. Conclusions/Significance Our results highlight the presence of molecular relationships among cryptochrome 1a protein, hormones, and photoreceptors' gene expression in tomato, suggesting that manipulation of cryptochromes could represent a good strategy to understand in greater depth the role of phyto-hormones in the plant photoperceptive mechanism.
Phonological Awareness and Rapid Automatized Naming Are Independent Phonological Competencies With Specific Impacts on Word Reading and Spelling: An Intervention Study

Phonological awareness (PA) and rapid automatized naming (RAN) have been shown to be powerful predictors of reading achievement across many languages. However, literature remains unclear: (a) whether RAN is independent of PA, (b) about the specific influences of PA and RAN on reading and spelling, and (c) about the efficacy of a RAN intervention. This study aims to address these issues by means of an intervention design. Precisely, the objectives are (a) to determine whether training one competence involves or not an effect on the other, (b) to examine whether each intervention based on oral abilities (PA vs. RAN) could improve word reading and word spelling performances, and (c) to assess the efficacy of a RAN-objects’ intervention. Thirty-six French-speaking second graders, from two Belgian elementary schools, were divided into two groups, and received either a PA- or a RAN-objects’ intervention. Twenty-five-minute lessons took place at school twice a week over a period of 2 months. Both groups were compared on multiple experimental measures (PA, RAN, word reading, and word spelling), before and immediately after the intervention, and 6 months later. Results showed specific efficacy of the two interventions, with participants trained in one ability outperforming those from the other group on this specific ability at post-test. Moreover, the PA intervention revealed transfer effects on the sub-lexical processes of spelling, while the RAN intervention enhanced word reading speed. Finally, the results demonstrated the efficacy of a RAN-objects’ intervention for the first time. These findings provide a new piece of evidence showing the independence of PA and RAN, each process influencing the acquisition of literacy skills in a different way. The efficacy and the specific transfer effects of both interventions open up new perspectives for prevention and targeted remediation of reading disabilities.
Risk of Social Isolation among Older Patients: What Factors Affect the Availability of Family, Friends, and Neighbors upon Hospitalization?

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine the prevalence of social isolation among older patients admitted to a hospital, and the effects of sociodemographic and health-related factors on the availability of their family, friends, and neighbor networks. Methods: Analyses are based on interviews with a sample of 2,449 older patients admitted to an urban academic medical center in the United States. A nine-item version of Lubben’s Social Network Scale was developed and used to assess the availability of different social networks. Results: About 47% of the sample was at risk of social isolation. The oldest old and non-White older adults showed greater risk. The availability of family networks was associated with age, sex, marital status, and prior hospitalization; friend networks with age, race, education, prior hospitalization, and functional limitations; neighbor networks with race, education, marital status, and functional limitations. Conclusions: The risk of social isolation and the availability of social support for hospitalized older adults varies by both patient and network characteristics. Health professionals should attend to this risk and the factors associated with such risk. Clinical Implications: By assessing the availability of various types and frequency of support among older patients, health professionals can better identify those who may need additional support after discharge. Such information should be used in discharge planning to help prevent unnecessary complications and potential readmission.
On the Relationships Between Stability and Bug-Proneness of Code Clones: An Empirical Study

Exact or similar copies of code fragments in a code base are known as code clones. Code clones are considered as one of the serious code smells. Stability is a widely investigated perspective of assessing the impacts of clones on software systems. A number of existing studies show that clones are often less stable than non-cloned code. This suggests that clones change more frequently than non-cloned code and thus may require comparatively more maintenance efforts. Again, frequent changes to clones may increase the likelihood of missing change propagation to the co-change candidates leading to inconsistencies or bugs. However, none of the existing studies investigate whether stability of clones is related to the bug-proneness. In this paper, we present an empirical study that analyzes the relationships between stability and bug-proneness of clones. We identify bug-fix commits by analyzing the commit messages from software repositories. We then identify the clones those are changed in the bug-fix commits as bug-prone clones. We then compare the stability of buggy and non-buggy clones considering the fine-grained syntactic change types and their significance. ,,Our experimental results based on five open-source Java systems of different size and application domains show that (1) stability and bug-proneness of code clones are related and this relationship is statistically significant, (2) for both exact (Type 1) and near-miss (Type 2 and Type 3) clones, buggy clones tend to have higher frequency of changes than non-buggy clones, (3) the bug-proneness of Type 2 and Type 3 clones tend to be strongly related with their stability compared to Type 1 clones, and (4) the relation between the stability and the bug-proneness of clones with respect to fine-grained change types is likely to be influenced by the changes of low to medium significance. We believe that our findings are important and potentially useful in identifying and prioritizing candidate clones for management.