Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) Comparison of arterial spin labeling registration strategies in the multi- center GENetic frontotemporal dementia initiative (GENFI)

1 Purpose To compare registration strategies to align arterial spin labeling (ASL) with 2 3D T1-weighted (T1w) images, with the goal of reducing the between-subject variability of 3 cerebral blood flow (CBF) images. 4 Materials and Methods Multi-center 3T ASL data were collected at 8 sites with 4 5 different sequences in the multi-centre GENetic Frontotemporal dementia Initiative 6 (GENFI) study. In a total of 48 healthy controls, we compared the following image 7 registration options: I) which images to use for registration (perfusion-weighted images to 8 the segmented gray matter (GM) probability map (pGM) [CBF-pGM] or M0 to T1w [M09 T1w]); II) which transformation to use [rigid-body or non-rigid] and III) whether to mask 10 or not [no masking, M0-based FSL BET masking]. In addition to visual comparison, we 11 quantified image similarity using the Pearson correlation coefficient (CC), and used the 12 Mann-Whitney U rank sum test. 13 Results CBF-pGM outperformed M0-T1w (CC improvement 47.2% ± 22.0% 14 (p<0.001), and the non-rigid transformation outperformed rigid-body (20.6% ± 5.3%, 15 p<0.001). Masking only improved the M0-T1w rigid-body registration (14.5% ± 15.5%, 16 p=0.007). 17 Conclusion The choice of image registration strategy impacts ASL group analyses. The 18 non-rigid transformation is promising but requires validation. CBF-pGM rigid-body 19 registration without masking can be used as a default strategy. In patients with expansive 20 perfusion deficits, M0-T1w may outperform CBF-pGM in sequences with high effective 21 spatial resolution. BET-masking only improves M0-T1w registration when the M0 image 22 has sufficient contrast. 23
New Perspectives on the Correlation of SAT Scores, High School Grades, and Socioeconomic Factors

In studies of the SAT, correlations of SAT scores, high school grades, and socioeconomic factors (SES) are usually obtained using a university as the unit of analysis. This approach obscures an important structural aspect of the data: The high school grades received by a given institution come from a large number of high schools, all of which have potentially different grading standards. SAT scores, on the other hand, can be assumed to have the same meaning across high schools. Our analyses of a large national sample show that, when pooled within-high-school analyses are applied, high school grades and class rank have larger correlations with family income and education than is evident in the results of typical analyses, and SAT scores have smaller associations with socioeconomic factors. SAT scores and high school grades, therefore, have more similar associations with SES than they do when only the usual across-high-school correlations are considered.
Superlinear Preconditioners for Finite Differences Linear Systems

We consider a preconditioning strategy for finite differences (FD) matrix sequences $\{A_n(a,\Omega)\}_n$ discretizing the elliptic problem $$ \label{eq:pde-abs} \left\{ \begin{array}{l} A_{a} u \equiv (-)^k\nabla^k[a(x)\nabla^k u(x)] =f(x),\quad \quad x\in \Omega, \\ \ \\ \displaystyle \left({\partial^s \over \partial \nu^s} u(x)\right)_{|\partial \Omega} \equiv 0, \quad \quad s=0,\ldots,k-1, \end{array} \right. $$ with $\Omega$ being a plurirectangle of ${\bf R}^d$, with a(x) being a uniformly positive (nonnegative) Riemann integrable function, and $\nu$ denoting the unit outward normal direction. More precisely, in connection with preconditioned conjugate gradient (PCG)--like methods, we consider the preconditioning sequence $\{P_n(a,\Omega)\}_n$, $P_n(a,\Omega):=\tilde D_n^{1/2}(a,\Omega)A_n(1,\Omega) \tilde D_n^{1/2}(a,\Omega)$, where $\tilde D_n(a,\Omega)$ is the suitable scaled main diagonal of $A_n(a,\Omega)$. Using embedding arguments and projection matrices, under the mild assumptions on $a(x)$, we show the weak clustering at the unity of the corresponding preconditioned sequence. If $a(x)$ is regular enough, then the preconditioned sequence shows a strong clustering at the unity so that the sequence $\{P_n(a,\Omega)\}_n$ turns out to be a superlinear preconditioning sequence for $\{A_n(a,\Omega)\}_n$. The computational interest is due to the fact that the solution of a linear system with coefficient matrix $A_n(a,\Omega)$ is reduced to computations involving diagonals and multilevel structures $\{A_n(1,\Omega)\}_n$ with banded pattern. In turn, the matrix $A_n(1,\Omega)$ can be reinterpreted as a projection of a multilevel banded Toeplitz matrix for which we use multigrid strategies. Some numerical experimentations confirm the efficiency of the discussed proposal and its strong superiority with respect to existing techniques in the case of semielliptic problems.
Obese subjects have significantly higher serum prooxidantantioxidant balance values compared to normal-weight subjects.

BACKGROUND It has been reported that obesity is associated with higher levels of oxidative stress. We aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that pro-oxidant antioxidant balance (PAB) values could be affected by adiposity and to assess the association between PAB levels and indices of obesity. METHODS Subjects (n = 733) were recruited and tlen were divided into 3 groups of normal-weight (BMI < 25, n = 207), overweight (25 < BMI < 30, n = 375), and obese (BMI > 30, n = 151). PAB values were measured in all participants. RESULTS There was a significant association between PAB values and weight when the correlation was determined for all subjects (p < 0.05). Obese subject had significantly higher levels of PAB values [40.8 (34.3 - 51.1) HK unit] compared with overweight [37.5 (29.7 - 47.3) HK unit] and normal-weight subjects [37.2 (29.6 - 45.2) HK unit] (p < 0.05 in each case). However, there was no significant difference in PAB values between normal and over-weight subjects (p > 0.05). On performing the analysis of covariance, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was found to have a significant independent association with PAB values (j = 0.046, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS The high levels of PAB values in obese subjects without overt signs/symptoms of cardiovascular disease may be related to a heightened state of oxidative stress associated with obesity.
Prevalence of insomnia symptoms in patients with sleep-disordered breathing.

OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence of insomnia symptoms in patients with objectively diagnosed sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). DESIGN Retrospective medical chart review of a representative sample of patients with SDB. SETTING University sleep-disorders clinic and laboratory. PATIENTS Two hundred thirty-one patients with SDB were selected from a pool of approximately 2,000 patients with sleep disorders. MEASUREMENTS Data were extracted from intake questionnaires and polysomnographic studies. RESULTS Of 231 patients with SDB diagnoses, 115 patients reported no insomnia complaints (SDB-only patients) and 116 patients reported clinically meaningful insomnia complaints (SDB-plus patients). Compared to SDB-only patients, SDB-plus patients reported significantly worse mean sleep characteristics consistent with insomnia, including sleep latency (17 min vs 65 min), total sleep time (7.2 h vs 5.6 h), and sleep efficiency (92% vs 75%). SDB-plus patients experienced significantly more psychiatric disorders, cognitive-emotional symptoms, and physical and mental symptoms that disrupted or prevented sleep. SDB-plus patients also reported greater use of sedative and psychotropic medications and had significantly more primary complaints of insomnia, restless legs or leg jerks, and poor sleep quality despite having relatively similar referral rates for sleep apnea or complaints of loud snoring. CONCLUSIONS Problematic insomnia symptoms were reported by 50% of a representative sample of patients with objectively diagnosed SDB. Research is needed to determine the degree to which insomnia and related symptoms and behaviors interfere with SDB treatment.
433-454 Attitude Strength , Attitude Stability , and the Effects of Analyzing Reasons

An important part of most definitions of attitudes is that they persist over time. Allport (1935) noted that attitudes "often persist throughout life in the way in which they were fixed in childhood or in youth" (p. 814). whereas Sherif and Cantril (1947) argued that "attitudes, once formed, are more or less enduring states of readiness" (p. 7). Petty and Cacioppo (1981) defined an attitude as "an enduring positive or negative feeling about some person, object, or issue" (p. 7). Consistent with these definitions, there is evidence that attitudes can persist for years or even decades (e. for example, found that the political attitudes of civil rights workers changed little over the course of 20 years. Other kinds of attitudes are also notorious for their resistance to change, such as prejudiced and racist opinions. Recently, however, a considerable amount of research has been conducted that leads to the opposite conclusion: Attitudes fluctuate over time, and depend on what people happen to be thinking about at any given moment. We have found, for example, that when people are asked to think about why they feel the way they do about an attitude object, they often change their minds about how they feel. We have observed such attitude change when people analyze their reasons toward such diverse things as political candidates
Role of Religion and Spirituality on Mental Health and Resilience: There is Enough Evidence

Religion and Spirituality often involve core emotional and social experiences, attitudes, affective states (both positive –such as faith, hope, courage, compassion, love, forgiveness- and negative –e.g. anxiety, anger), beliefs, world views, values, life goals and practices, that shape the personal identity and existence of many human beings. Occasionally these experiences may influence states of consciousness (e. g. calming, peaceful), life-styles, significant relationships, the meaning is given to suffering and distress, coping strategies, and the motivation to receive different types of help and support, especially in case of acute or chronic distress.
Induction of neurite outgrowth by α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone through nitric oxide release and Ras-ERK pathway in PC12 cells

Abstract It has previously been suggested that the spin trap agent α-phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN) induces neurite outgrowth through activation of the Ras-ERK pathway in PC12 cells. However, the chemical properties of PBN contributing to its biological function and the detailed mechanism for the activation of Ras by PBN remain unknown. This study demonstrates that the hydrophobic structure of PBN is related to the activation of Ras, by comparing with hydrophilic analogues of PBN. [14C]-labelled PBN was found to localize in the lipid fraction and activate Ras indirectly. On the other hand, neurite outgrowth by PBN was inhibited by a nitric oxide (NO) scavenger. Moreover, the neurite outgrowth induced by PBN and the NO donor NOR4 was inhibited by the dominant negative Ras or MAPK/ERK inhibitor. Taken together, these results suggest that PBN is incorporated into the plasma membrane and induces neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells by activating the Ras-ERK pathway through NO release.
Semantics for the Jason Variant of AgentSpeak (Plan Failure and some Internal Actions)

Jason is a platform for agent-based software development that is characterised both by being based on a programming language with formal semantics as well as having many language and platforms features that are very useful for practical programming, but not fully formalised. In this paper, we make significant progress in the direction of formalising the aspects of the variant of AgentSpeak that is interpreted by Jason that were not included in previous work on giving formal semantics to AgentSpeak. In particular, we give semantics to the plan failure handling mechanism which is unique to Jason, and also for some of the predefined internal actions that can alter an agent's mental state. Such internal actions are essential for some aspects of BDI-based programming, such as checking or dropping current goals or intentions, and therefore need to be formally defined within the operational semantics of the language.
Multifractal analysis for multimodal maps

Given a multimodal interval map $f:I \to I$ and a H\"older potential $\phi:I \to \mathbb{R}$, we study the dimension spectrum for equilibrium states of $\phi$. The main tool here is inducing schemes, used to overcome the presence of critical points. The key issue is to show that enough points are `seen' by a class of inducing schemes. We also compute the Lyapunov spectrum. We obtain the strongest results when $f$ is a Collet-Eckmann map, but our analysis also holds for maps satisfying much weaker growth conditions.
The Voice of Emotion in Chinese and Italian Young Adults

This article outlines an exploratory comparative study of the vocal expression of emotions in Chinese versus Italian cultures. Given a strong relationship between voice and emotion, it is of special interest to analyze whether and how this connection may covariate with cultural influences in shaping emotions. Forty-eight undergraduates (29 Chinese and 19 Italian) are asked to read aloud short stories inducing different emotions (joy, sadness, anger, fear, contempt, pride, guilt, and shame) within a scenario approach. Subsequently, acoustic (sonographic) analysis is carried out on the recorded readings. On the one hand, the results confirm that different emotions may be expressed via variations in the modulation of vocal cues, in both cultures; on the other hand, differences in the specific patterns of vocal cues in expressing emotions are identified between Chinese and Italian participants. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Relational dialectics in intercultural couples' relationships

Cools, Carine Relational dialectics in intercultural couples’ relationships Jyvaskyla: University of Jyvaskyla, 2011, 282 p. (Jyvaskyla Studies in Humanities ISSN 1459-4331; 171) ISBN 978-951-39-4572-5 (nid.) ISBN 978-951-39-4573-2 (PDF) English summary
1-D Large Signal Model of Folded-Waveguide Traveling Wave Tubes

A recently published hybrid circuit model for folded-waveguide slow wave structures has been implemented in the 1-D large signal code CHRISTINE. The resulting code is applied to a design for a G-band (220 GHz) folded-waveguide traveling wave tube. Results of small and large signal gain are compared with those from TESLA, a 2-D code using the same circuit model. Conditions for accuracy of the 1-D model are illustrated and explained. The effects of an offset beam tunnel on circuit dispersion and amplifier stability are illustrated using the CHRISTINE code.
The multi-scale structure of atmospheric energetic constraints on globally averaged precipitation

Abstract. This study presents a multi-scale analysis of cross-correlations based on Haar fluctuations of globally averaged anomalies of precipitation (P), precipitable water vapor (PWV), surface temperature (T), and atmospheric radiative fluxes. The results revealed an emergent transition between weak correlations at sub-yearly timescales (down to ∼5 days) to strong correlations at timescales larger than about ∼1–2 years (up to ∼1 decade). At multiyear timescales, (i) Clausius–Clapeyron becomes the dominant control of PWV (ρPWV,T≈0.9), (ii) surface temperature averaged over global land and over global ocean (sea surface temperature, SST) become strongly correlated (ρTland,SST∼0.6); (iii) globally averaged precipitation variability is dominated by energetic constraints, specifically the surface downwelling longwave radiative flux (DLR) (ρP,DLR≈-0.8) displayed stronger correlations than the direct response to T fluctuations, and (iv) cloud effects are negligible for the energetic constraints in (iii), which are dominated by clear-sky DLR. At sub-yearly timescales, all correlations underlying these four results decrease abruptly towards negligible values. Such a transition has important implications for understanding and quantifying the climate sensitivity of the global hydrological cycle. The validity of the derived correlation structure is demonstrated by reconstructing global precipitation time series at 2-year resolution, relying on the emergent strong correlations (P vs. clear-sky DLR). Such a simple linear sensitivity model was able to reproduce observed P anomaly time series with similar accuracy to an (uncoupled) atmospheric model (ERA-20CM) and two climate reanalysis (ERA-20C and 20CR). The linear sensitivity breaks down at sub-yearly timescales, whereby the underlying correlations become negligible. Finally, the relevance of the multi-scale framework and its potential for stochastic downscaling applications are demonstrated by deriving accurate monthly P probability density functions (PDFs) from the reconstructed 2-year P time series based on scale-invariant arguments alone. The derived monthly PDFs outperform the statistics simulated by ERA-20C, 20CR, and ERA-20CM in reproducing observations.
Studies on ribonucleic acid ligase. Characterization of an adenosine triphosphate-inorganic pyrophosphate exchange reaction and demonstration of an enzyme-adenylate complex with T4 bacteriophage-induced enzyme.

Abstract RNA ligase, isolated from bacteriophage T4-infected Escherichia coli, catalyzes the conversion of synthetic [5'-32P]polyribonucleotides to a form resistant to alkaline phosphatase. The reaction requires ATP and leads to the formation of AMP and PPi. The purification procedure for T4-induced RNA ligase has been modified to yield stable enzyme preparations. The influence of secondary structure on the RNA ligase reaction has been investigated with these fractions. The conversion of synthetic polynucleotides to complex secondary structures was either without effect or inhibitory in the RNA ligase system. Purified RNA ligase was shown to catalyze an exchange reaction between ATP and PPi, but not between ATP and AMP. The ATP-PPi exchange reaction occurred in the absence of a polyribonucleotide substrate. The formation of an RNA ligase-adenylate complex was demonstrated by gel filtration, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and ultracentrifugation in a glycerol gradient. The complex was dissociated by 5'-P-poly(A) to yield AMP while ATP was generated in the presence of PPi. These findings suggest that an enzyme-AMP intermediate occurs during the course of the RNA ligase reaction. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of an RNA ligase activity in eukaryotic cells.
The Effect of Voting Advice Applications on Political Knowledge and Vote Choice

Abstract In many countries with multiparty systems, a decline in class voting has increased volatility and the need for comprehensive information about the political landscape among voters. Voting Advice Applications (VAAs) are online tools that match users to political parties and, as such, they hold a promise of reinforcing informational transparency and democratic representation. The current research investigated whether VAAs live up to this expectation by investigating to what extent VAAs affected users' political knowledge and vote choice in the Dutch national elections of 2012. Results show that VAA users feel that the VAA improved their political knowledge. In addition, those groups of VAA users who experienced a large knowledge increase, also relatively often indicated that their vote choice had been affected. This suggests that VAAs contribute to informational transparency by increasing knowledge among a potentially wide audience, and also that VAAs might increase democratic representation to the extent that VAAs persuade people to vote for the candidate that best represents their opinions. On the other hand, we found discrepancies between behavioural and perceptual measurements of the effect of VAAs on vote choice. This raises doubts about whether VAAs shape actual voting behaviours and knowledge, or rather perceptions of that.
A dynamic state-space analysis of interpersonal emotion regulation in couples who smoke

Regulating emotions in interpersonal contexts requires managing one’s own emotion, a partner’s emotion, and the emotional tone of the relationship (e.g., conflict and intimacy). This multifaceted regulatory challenge, often referred to as “relationship-focused coping,” has been associated with health outcomes, but the real-time emotional processes involved are understudied. We use state-space grids (a recently developed graphical method) to investigate dynamic sequences of emotional experience (positive vs. negative) and relationship-focused coping intentions (to protect vs. engage one’s partner) taken from 26 couples in which one or both partners were smokers, while they discussed a health-related disagreement during a nonsmoking baseline and then while smoking. State-space indicators of contingent emotion-coping sequences showed evidence of both successful regulation (associated with improving emotional state) and unsuccessful regulation (associated with worsening emotional state). The pattern of results suggests that interpersonal emotion regulation may interfere with smoking cessation differently depending upon whether one or both partners smoke.
Early Investigation of New Information Technology Acceptance: A Perceived Risk - Motivation Model

Early investigation of the acceptance of new information technology applications will help to improve the chances of later success. In incipient stages of product deployment, before people develop a full understanding of the aspects of a new technology, users may display particular reasons for or against its use. Accordingly, this study proposes and tests empirically, through structural equation modeling techniques, a perceived risk-motivation model for the early study of new information technology acceptance. The research framework is a Web scenario describing the possible use of wireless text messaging on cell phones to improve user adherence to healthy behavior. While the underlying personal motivation may favor adoption, perceived risks may be an obstacle. This study integrates a multi-faceted perceived risk concept with a motivational model in an unbiased measure of the initial development phase of new information technology, to estimate its acceptance.
A Dantzig Selector Approach to Temporal Difference Learning

LSTD is a popular algorithm for value function approximation. Whenever the number of features is larger than the number of samples, it must be paired with some form of regularization. In particular, l1-regularization methods tend to perform feature selection by promoting sparsity, and thus, are well-suited for high-dimensional problems. However, since LSTD is not a simple regression algorithm, but it solves a fixed-point problem, its integration with l1-regularization is not straightforward and might come with some drawbacks (e.g., the P-matrix assumption for LASSO-TD). In this paper, we introduce a novel algorithm obtained by integrating LSTD with the Dantzig Selector. We investigate the performance of the proposed algorithm and its relationship with the existing regularized approaches, and show how it addresses some of their drawbacks.