Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parenting quality in drug-addicted mothers in a therapeutic mother–child community: the contribution of attachment and personality assessment

Growing evidence shows that attachment is a key risk factor for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical diseases in Axis I, such as drug addiction. Recent literature regarding attachment, psychiatric pathology, and drug addiction demonstrates that there is a clear prevalence of insecure attachment patterns in clinical and drug addicted subjects. Specifically, some authors emphasize that the anxious-insecure attachment pattern is prevalent among drug-addicted women with double diagnosis (Fonagy et al., 1996). The construct of attachment as a risk factor in clinical samples of drug-addicted mothers needs to be studied more in depth though. The present explorative study focused on the evaluation of parenting quality in a therapeutic mother–child community using attachment and personality assessment tools able to outline drug-addicted mothers’ profiles. This study involved 30 drug addicted mothers, inpatients of a therapeutic community (TC). Attachment representations were assessed via the Adult Attachment Interview; personality diagnosis and symptomatic profiles were performed using the Structured Clinical Interview of the DSM-IV (SCID-II) and the Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R), respectively. Both instruments were administered during the first six months of residence in a TC. Results confirmed the prevalence of insecure attachment representations (90%), with a high presence of U patterns, prevalently scored for dangerous and/or not protective experiences in infanthood. Very high values (>5) were found for some experience scales (i.e., neglect and rejection scales). Data also showed very low values (1–3) in metacognitive monitoring, coherence of transcript and coherence of mind scales. Patients’ different profiles (U vs. E vs. Ds) were linked to SCID-II diagnosis, providing insightful indications both for treatment planning and intervention on parenting functions and for deciding if to start foster care or adoption proceedings for children.
Protein Kinase C-Dependent Phosphorylation of Synaptosome-Associated Protein of 25 kDa at Ser187 Potentiates Vesicle Recruitment

Activation of protein kinase C (PKC) constitutes a key event in the upregulation of secretory strength in neurons and neurosecretory cells during extensive stimulation, presumably by speeding up vesicle supply. However, the molecular targets and their mode of action remain elusive. We studied the only PKC-dependent phosphorylation site in the neuronal solubleN-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, Ser187, in synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25). This phosphorylation site is located within the negatively charged C-terminal end of SNAP-25, which has been shown to be of critical importance in calcium-triggered exocytosis. We combined mutational studies that used overexpression in chromaffin cells with capacitance measurements and flash photolysis of caged calcium, allowing for high time resolution during both the stimulation and measurement of exocytosis. Overexpression of mutants simulating the phosphorylated form of Ser187 accelerated vesicle recruitment after the emptying of the releasable vesicle pools. Overexpression of mutants simulating the nonphosphorylated form, or block of PKC, impaired the refilling of the vesicle pools to similar extents. Biochemical studies verified the phosphorylation of a subpopulation of SNAP-25 after elevation of intracellular calcium concentrations. Some of the mutations led to a moderately decreased fast exocytotic burst component, which did not seem to be associated with the phosphorylation state of SNAP-25. Thus the C terminus of SNAP-25 plays a role for both fast exocytosis triggering and vesicle recruitment, and the latter process is regulated by PKC-dependent phosphorylation.
A high-density EEG study of differences between three high speeds of simulated forward motion from optic flow in adult participants

A high-density EEG study was conducted to investigate evoked and oscillatory brain activity in response to high speeds of simulated forward motion. Participants were shown an optic flow pattern consisting of a virtual road with moving poles at either side of it, simulating structured forward motion at different driving speeds (25, 50, and 75 km/h) with a static control condition between each motion condition. Significant differences in N2 latencies and peak amplitudes between the three speeds of visual motion were found in parietal channels of interest P3 and P4. As motion speed increased, peak latency increased while peak amplitude decreased which might indicate that higher driving speeds are perceived as more demanding resulting in longer latencies, and as fewer neurons in the motion sensitive areas of the adult brain appear to be attuned to such high visual speeds this could explain the observed inverse relationship between speed and amplitude. In addition, significant differences between alpha de-synchronizations for forward motion and alpha synchronizations in the static condition were found in the parietal midline (PM) source. It was suggested that the alpha de-synchronizations reflect an activated state related to the visual processing of simulated forward motion, whereas the alpha synchronizations in response to the static condition reflect a deactivated resting period.
The deployment of PDA accessible clinical-log for medical education in PBL-approach

This study was undertaken to determine the important features, advantages and disadvantages of PDA-based/web-based clinical-log for PBL-based medical curriculum at the Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong for the incorporation of personal digital assistants (PDAs) in the future. Method: The in-depth interviews were designed and conducted with medical faculty, clinicians and medical education technology specialists. Results: Four major features, benefits and limitation of PDA-based/web-based clinical-log were identified. Conclusion: PDA-based/web-based clinical-log is a vital learning tool to be incorporated as a in PBL-medical curriculum in particular while offsite.
Analyzing and Integrating Models of Multiple Text Comprehension

We introduce a special issue featuring four theoretical models of multiple text comprehension. We present a central framework for conceptualizing the four models in this special issue. Specifically, we chart the models according to how they consider learner, texts, task, and context factors in explaining multiple text comprehension. In addition, the models are contrasted along three dimensions capturing different orientations toward multiple text comprehension. Models in the special issue are described as more behaviorally or cognitively focused, as conceptualizing multiple text comprehension as an internally driven or an externally triggered process, and as directly responsive to or indirectly influenced by task. The importance and relevance of this special issue for research on multiple text comprehension are discussed.
Evaluating the Relationship between Competition and Productivity within a Native Grassland

Ideas about how plant competition varies with productivity are rooted in classic theories that predict either increasing (Grime) or invariant (Tilman) competition with increasing productivity. Both predictions have received experimental support, although a decade-old meta-analysis supports neither. Attempts to reconcile the conflicting predictions and evidence include: expanding the theory to include other conditions (e.g. stress gradient hypothesis), development of indices to differentiate either the ‘intensity’ or ‘importance’ of competition, a focus on resource supply and demand, and explicit recognition that both growth and survival may exhibit different relationships with productivity. To determine which of these theories accurately predict how competition varies with productivity within a native grassland site, we estimated competitive intensity and relative competitive importance using 22 species across the range of productivity naturally occurring within that site. Plant performance was measured as survival and size with and without neighbours and the local environment was quantified according to variability in standing crop, gross water supply, and net water supply. On average, neighbours weakly facilitated seedling survival, but strongly reduced seedling growth. For both seedling survival and growth, relative competitive importance and competitive intensity declined with some measure of productivity; neighbour effects on survival declined with standing crop, while effects on growth declined with gross water supply. These results add to the growing evidence that plant-plant interactions vary among life history components with different life history components contingent upon separate environmental factors. Although the range of productivity measured in this study was not large, our results do not support the theories of Grime or Tilman. However, our results are consistent with the meta-analysis and parts of other theories, although no single theory is capable of explaining the entirety of these results. This suggests that, at least in moderately productive grasslands, new theory needs to be developed.
Students’ Perceptions And Experiences Of Anxiety In An Online Collaborative Project

This study explored students’ perceptions and experiences of anxiety in an online collaborative project. Using a mixed methods approach, data derived from an online survey of students from the UK Open University (n=76) followed by purposefully sampled semi-structured interviews among survey respondents who agreed to be interviewed (n=11). The results revealed that: a) anxiety was a commonly experienced emotion among survey respondents, with many perceiving these feelings to be greater before or at the start of the collaborative project and then gradually decreasing throughout; b) anxiety derived from various sources which were all related to ‘uncertainty’; c) different learners perceived anxiety to have facilitative, debilitative, and neutral impacts on their participation and performance in the collaborative activity; d) learners used a range of coping strategies in order to manage anxiety, with problem-focused coping being more frequently reported than either emotion-focused coping or avoidance coping strategies; and e) getting to ‘know’ participants before the start of the collaborative project and being able to express and share feelings and emotions were seen as important for supporting anxious learners. Recommendations, aimed at reducing feelings of anxiety and improving learner experience in online collaborative projects, are discussed and future research in this field is suggested.
Type IIP supernova SN 2004et: a multiwavelength study in X-ray, optical and radio

We present X-ray, broad-band optical and low-frequency radio observations of the bright type IIP supernova SN 2004et. The Chandra X-ray Observatory observed the supernova at three epochs, and the optical coverage spans a period of ∼470 d since explosion. The X-ray emission softens with time, and we characterize the X-ray luminosity evolution as L x oc t -0.4 . We use the observed X-ray luminosity to estimate a mass-loss rate for the progenitor star of ∼2 x 10 -6 M ⊙ yr -1 . The optical light curve shows a pronounced plateau lasting for about 110 d. Temporal evolution of photospheric radius and colour temperature during the plateau phase is determined by making blackbody fits. We estimate the ejected mass of 56 Ni to be 0.06 ± 0.03 M ⊙ . Using the expressions of Litvinova & Nadezhin we estimate an explosion energy of (0.98 ± 0.25) x 10 51 erg. We also present a single epoch radio observation of SN 2004et. We compare this with the predictions of the model proposed by Chevalier, Fransson & Nymark. These multiwavelength studies suggest a main-sequence progenitor mass of ∼20 M ⊙ for SN 2004et.
A Sensitivity Analysis of Cross-Country Growth Regressions

A vast amount of literature uses cross-country regressions to find empirical links between policy indicators and long-run average growth rates. The authors study whether the conclusions from existing studies are robust or fragile when small changes in the list of independent variables occur. They find that although"policy"appears to be importantly related to growth, there is no strong independent relationship between growth and almost every existing policy indicator. They also find that very few macroeconomic variables are robustly correlated with cross-country growth rates. They clarify the conditions under which one finds convergence of per capita output levels and confirm the positive correlation between the share of investment in GDP and long-run growth. They conclude that all findings using the share of exports in GDP could be obtained almost identically using the total trade or import share and also that few commonly used fiscal indicators are robustly correlated with growth. Finally, the authors highlight the importance of considering alternative specifications in cross-country growth regressions.
Character development among youth

This article embeds the study of character development within the two-decades-long research program framed by the Lerner and Lerner model of positive youth development. Character development involves attaining the feelings, thoughts, and skills needed to act coherently across time and place to serve self and others in mutually beneficial, positive ways. Research in the U.S. and other nations suggests that there are three key features of successful character development initiatives for children and adolescents: Mentors and models, skill-building opportunities, and opportunities to participate in and to take a leadership role in valued family, school, and community activities. Implications of this research include the idea that character development can be the foundation on which other key facets of a person’s thriving can be built (e.g., competence, confidence, connection, and caring), and can provide a key basis for enabling every young person to contribute positively to their own lives and to the enhancement of their families, schools, and communities.
Analysis of Linear Receivers in a DSL Game for Spectrum Sharing in Cognitive Radio Networks

Dynamic Spectrum Leasing (DSL) is a new paradigm for efficient spectrum sharing in cognitive radio networks that was recently proposed in [1]-[3]. Unlike in a hierarchical dynamic spectrum access (DSA) network, DSL allows active participation of both the primary and the secondary users in the spectrum sharing process. In this paper we further generalize the DSL game introduced in [2] by allowing for linear multiuser detectors, in particular the matched filter (MF) and linear minimum mean squared error (LMMSE) receivers, at the secondary base stations. We establish the conditions so that the DSL game has desired equilibrium properties. Performance of the proposed system at the equilibrium is compared through simulations under different linear receivers at the secondary base station.
Positive organizational behavior: Engaged employees in flourishing organizations

Summary ThiseditorialintroducesaspecialissueoftheJournalof OrganizationalBehavioronpositive organizationalbehavior(POB). POB emphasizes the need for more focused theory building, research, and effective application of positive traits, states, and behaviors of employees in organizations. We argue that in order to make a substantive contribution to organizational science, POB will need to show the added value of the positive over and above the negative. In addition, the emerging concept of employee engagement is briefly introduced. The papers in the special issue describe exciting positive organizational behavior studies that each tap into an interesting direction in which POB research might go. Copyright# 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Client-side web acceleration for low-bandwidth hosts

Current popular web-browsers simply fetch the entire web-page from the server in a greedy fashion. This simple web fetching mechanism employed by browsers is inappropriate for use in low-bandwidth networks, since they cause large response times for users unneccesarily. In this paper, we first analyze the reasons that cause large response times by considering several factors including the properties of typical web-pages and browsers, the interaction of the HTTP and TCP protocols, and the impact of server-side optimization techniques. We then propose three easy-to-deploy browser-side optimization mechanisms to reduce the user response time. Through simulations, we compare the performance of our solution with that of current browsers and show that the proposed scheme brings significant performance benefits in terms of user-perceived response times.
Robust oscillations within the interlocked feedback model of Drosophila circadian rhythm.

A mechanism for generating circadian rhythms has been of major interest in recent years. After the discovery of per and tim, a model with a simple feedback loop involving per and tim has been proposed. However, it is recognized that the simple feedback model cannot account for phenotypes generated by various mutants. A recent report by Glossop, Lyons & Hardin [Science286, 766 (1999)] on Drosophila suggests involvement of another feedback loop by dClk that is interlocked with per-tim feedback loop. In order to examine whether interlocked feedback loops can be a basic mechanism for circadian rhythms, a mathematical model was created and examined. Through extensive simulation and mathematical analysis, it was revealed that the interlocked feedback model accounts for the observations that are not explained by the simple feedback model. Moreover, the interlocked feedback model has robust properties in oscillations.
Memory Distortion and Its Avoidance: An Event-Related Potentials Study on False Recognition and Correct Rejection

Memory researchers have long been captivated by the nature of memory distortions and have made efforts to identify the neural correlates of true and false memories. However, the underlying mechanisms of avoiding false memories by correctly rejecting related lures remains underexplored. In this study, we employed a variant of the Deese/Roediger-McDermott paradigm to explore neural signatures of committing and avoiding false memories. ERP were obtained for True recognition, False recognition, Correct rejection of new items, and, more importantly, Correct rejection of related lures. With these ERP data, early-frontal, left-parietal, and late right-frontal old/new effects (associated with familiarity, recollection, and monitoring processes, respectively) were analysed. Results indicated that there were similar patterns for True and False recognition in all three old/new effects analysed in our study. Also, False recognition and Correct rejection of related lures activities seemed to share common underlying familiarity-based processes. The ERP similarities between False recognition and Correct rejection of related lures disappeared when recollection processes were examined because only False recognition presented a parietal old/new effect. This finding supported the view that actual false recollections underlie false memories, providing evidence consistent with previous behavioural research and with most ERP and neuroimaging studies. Later, with the onset of monitoring processes, False recognition and Correct rejection of related lures waveforms presented, again, clearly dissociated patterns. Specifically, False recognition and True recognition showed more positive going patterns than Correct rejection of related lures signal and Correct rejection of new items signature. Since False recognition and Correct rejection of related lures triggered familiarity-recognition processes, our results suggest that deciding which items are studied is based more on recollection processes, which are later supported by monitoring processes. Results are discussed in terms of Activation-Monitoring Framework and Fuzzy Trace-Theory, the most prominent explanatory theories of false memory raised with the Deese/Roediger-McDermott paradigm.
Markers of the sleep-wake history in the human electroencephalogram and their relationship to cortical connectivity

Oral presentation Sara Fattinger, Oskar G. Jenni, Bernhard Schmitt, Peter Achermann, Reto Huber (09/2012). Changes of sleep slow wave characteristics during infancy a longitudinal study. 21th Congress of the European Sleep Research Society, in Paris, France. Sara Fattinger, Oskar G. Jenni, Bernhard Schmitt, Peter Achermann, Reto Huber (05/2013). Overnight changes in the slope of sleep slow waves during infancy. Annual Conference 2013 of the Swiss Society for Sleep Research, Sleep Medicine and Chronobiology (SSSSC) in Aarau, Switzerland.
RNA-Seq Analysis to Identify Novel Roles of Scleraxis during Embryonic Mouse Heart Valve Remodeling

Heart valve disease affects up to 30% of the population and has been shown to have origins during embryonic development. Valvulogenesis begins with formation of endocardial cushions in the atrioventricular canal and outflow tract regions. Subsequently, endocardial cushions remodel, elongate and progressively form mature valve structures composed of a highly organized connective tissue that provides the necessary biomechanical function throughout life. While endocardial cushion formation has been well studied, the processes required for valve remodeling are less well understood. The transcription factor Scleraxis (Scx) is detected in mouse valves from E15.5 during initial stages of remodeling, and expression remains high until birth when formation of the highly organized mature structure is complete. Heart valves from Scx-/- mice are abnormally thick and develop fibrotic phenotypes similar to human disease by juvenile stages. These phenotypes begin around E15.5 and are associated with defects in connective tissue organization and valve interstitial cell differentiation. In order to understand the etiology of this phenotype, we analyzed the transcriptome of remodeling valves isolated from E15.5 Scx-/- embryos using RNA-seq. From this, we have identified a profile of protein and non-protein mRNAs that are dependent on Scx function and using bioinformatics we can predict the molecular functions and biological processes affected by these genes. These include processes and functions associated with gene regulation (methyltransferase activity, DNA binding, Notch signaling), vitamin A metabolism (retinoic acid biosynthesis) and cellular development (cell morphology, cell assembly and organization). In addition, several mRNAs are affected by alternative splicing events in the absence of Scx, suggesting additional roles in post-transcriptional modification. In summary, our findings have identified transcriptome profiles from abnormal heart valves isolated from E15.5 Scx-/- embryos that could be used in the future to understand mechanisms of heart valve disease in the human population.