Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Methodological issues in the validation of implicit measures: comment on De Houwer, Teige-Mocigemba, Spruyt, and Moors (2009).

J. De Houwer, S. Teige-Mocigemba, A. Spruyt, and A. Moors's normative analysis of implicit measures provides an excellent clarification of several conceptual ambiguities surrounding the validation and use of implicit measures. The current comment discusses an important, yet unacknowledged, implication of J. De Houwer et al.'s analysis, namely, that investigations addressing the proposed implicitness criterion (i.e., does the relevant psychological attribute influence measurement outcomes in an automatic fashion? ) will be susceptible to fundamental misinterpretations if they are conducted independently of the proposed what criterion (i.e., is the measurement outcome causally produced by the psychological attribute the measurement procedure was designed to assess? ). As a solution, it is proposed that experimental validation studies should be combined with a correlational approach in order to determine whether a given manipulation influenced measurement scores via variations in the relevant psychological attribute or via secondary sources of systematic variance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved).
R1 correction in amide proton transfer imaging: indication of the influence of transcytolemmal water exchange on CEST measurements

Amide proton transfer (APT) imaging may potentially detect mobile proteins/peptides non‐invasively in vivo, but its specificity may be reduced by contamination from other confounding effects such as asymmetry of non‐specific magnetization transfer (MT) effects and spin–lattice relaxation with rate R1 (=1/T1). Previously reported spillover, MT and R1 correction methods were based on a two‐pool model, in which the existence of multiple water compartments with heterogeneous relaxation properties in real tissues was ignored. Such simple models may not adequately represent real tissues, and thus such corrections may be unreliable. The current study investigated the effectiveness and accuracy of correcting for R1 in APT imaging via simulations and in vivo experiments using tumor‐bearing rats subjected to serial injections of Gd‐DTPA that produced different tissue R1 values in regions of blood–brain‐barrier breakdown. The results suggest that conventional measurements of APT contrast (such as APT* and MTRasym) may be significantly contaminated by R1 variations, while the R1‐corrected metric AREX* was found to be relatively unaffected by R1 changes over a broad range (0.4–1 Hz). Our results confirm the importance of correcting for spin–lattice relaxation effects in quantitative APT imaging, and demonstrate the reliability of using the observed tissue R1 for corrections to obtain more specific and accurate measurements of APT contrast in vivo. The results also indicate that, due to relatively fast transcytolemmal water exchange, the influence of intra‐ and extracellular water compartments on CEST measurements with seconds long saturation time may be ignored in tumors. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Migration of Perilesional Microglia after Focal Brain Injury and Modulation by CC Chemokine Receptor 5: An In Situ Time-Lapse Confocal Imaging Study

Microglia rapidly become reactive in response to diverse stimuli and are thought to be prominent participants in the pathophysiology of both acute injury and chronic neurological diseases. However, mature microglial reactions to a focal lesion have not been characterized dynamically in adult vertebrate tissue. Here, we present a detailed analysis of long-distance perilesional microglial migration using time-lapse confocal microscopy in acutely isolated living slices from adult brain-injured mice. Extensive migration of perilesional microglia was apparent by 24 h after injury and peaked at 3 d. Average instantaneous migration speeds of ∼5 μm/min and peak speeds >10 μm/min were observed. Collective, directed migration toward the lesion edge was not observed as might be expected in the presence of chemoattractive gradients. Rather, migration was autonomous and could be modeled as a random walk. Pharmacological blockade of the cysteine-cysteine chemokine receptor 5 reduced migration velocity and the number of perilesional migratory microglia without affecting directional persistence, suggesting a novel role for chemokines in modulation of discrete migratory parameters. Finally, activated microglia in the denervated hippocampal stratum oriens did not migrate extensively, whereas human immunodeficiency virus-1 tat-activated microglia migrated nearly twice as fast as those at the stab lesion, indicating a nonuniform microglial response to different stimuli. Understanding the characteristics and specific molecular mechanisms underlying microglial migration after neural injury could reveal novel targets for therapeutic strategies for modulating neuroinflammation in human diseases.
On the topology and differential geometry of Kahler threefolds

In the first part of my thesis we provide infinitely many examples of pairs of diffeomorphic, non simply connected Kahler manifolds of complex dimension 3 with different Kodaira dimensions. Also, in any allowed Kodaira dimension we find infinitely many pairs of non deformation equivalent, diffeomorphic Kahler threefolds. In the second part we study the existence of Kahler metrics of positive total scalar curvature on 3-folds of negative Kodaira dimension. We give a positive answer for rationally connected threefolds. The proof relies on the Mori theory of minimal models, the weak factorization theorem and on a specialization technique.
Identification of Genes Affecting Lipid Content Using Transposon Mutagenesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Genes involved in lipid accumulation were identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using transposon insertion mutagenesis. Five ORFs, such as SNF2, IRA2, PRE9, PHO90, and SPT21 were found from the analysis of the insertion sites in transposon insertion mutants with higher lipid content. Since these ORFs are not directly involved in storage lipid biosynthesis, we speculate that they are involved in carbon fluxes into storage lipids in response to nutrient conditions. Lipid analysis of disruptants of these ORFs indicated that the Δsnf2, and Δira2 disruptants had significantly higher lipid content. Cultivation in a nitrogen-limited medium increased the lipid content in all disruptants, among which the Δpre9 disruptant was the most sensitive to nitrogen limitation. We then focused on the Δsnf2 disruptant due to its higher lipid content and its function as a regulator of phospholipid synthesis. Lipid class analysis indicated that triacylglycerol and free fatty acids contributed to the increase in total lipids of the Δsnf2 disruptant. The addition of exogenous fatty acids was not so effective at increasing the lipid content in the Δsnf2 disruptant as it was in the wild type. It should be noticed that exogenous free linoleic acid was much higher in the Δsnf2 disruptant than in the wild type, as in the case of endogenous free fatty acids. In addition, the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids into cells increased in the disruptant, suggesting that fatty acid transporters were regulated by SNF2. The results suggest that metabolic fluxes into storage lipids, which are activated in the Δsnf2 disruptant, is repressed by the incorporation of exogenous fatty acids. They provide new insight into the biosynthesis of storage lipids in yeast.
Cognitive control and conflict adaptation in youth with high-functioning autism.

BACKGROUND Youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often show deficits in cognitive control processes, potentially contributing to characteristic difficulties monitoring and regulating behavior. Modification of performance following conflict can be measured by examining conflict adaptation, the adjustment of cognitive resources based on previous-trial conflict. The electrophysiological correlates of these processes can be measured using the N2, a stimulus-locked component of the event-related potential (ERP). METHODS High-density ERPs and behavioral data [i.e. response times (RTs) and error rates] were acquired while 28 youth with ASD and 36 typically developing controls completed a modified Eriksen flanker task. RESULTS Behaviorally, groups showed similar conflict adaptation effects; youth with ASD showed larger RT slowing on switch trials. For electrophysiology, controls demonstrated larger N2 amplitudes for incongruent (high-conflict) trials following congruent (low-conflict) trials than for incongruent trials following incongruent trials. Importantly, youth with ASD showed no such differences in N2 amplitude based on previous-trial conflict. CONCLUSIONS Lack of electrophysiological conflict adaptation effects in youth with ASD indicates irregular neural processing associated with conflict adaptation. Individuals with ASD show declines in level of conflict evaluation and adaptation. Future research is necessary to accurately characterize and understand the behavioral implications of these cognitive control deficits relative to diagnostic severity, anxiety, and personality.
Modulation of spinal inhibitory reflex responses to cutaneous nociceptive stimuli during upper limb movement

In the present study we investigated the probability, latency and duration of the inhibitory component of the withdrawal reflex elicited by painful electrical stimulation of the index finger in humans. The stimulus consisted of a train of high‐intensity pulses. The investigation was carried out in several upper limb muscles during isometric contractions of different strengths and during a motor sequence consisting of reaching, picking up and transporting an object. We used a new algorithm to detect and characterize the inhibitory reflex. The reflex was found in all muscles except the brachioradialis at all the isometric contraction strengths, and showed a distal‐to‐proximal gradient of latency and duration. Conversely, during movement the reflex probability was high (> 80%) in the anterior deltoid and triceps muscles during reaching, in the extensor carpi radialis muscle during transporting of the object, and in the first interosseous muscle during both picking up and transporting of the object. This modulation of inhibitory reflex transmission in the upper limb muscles suggests that the motor response is organized in such a way as to inhibit the overall ongoing motor task by interrupting motion during reaching and by releasing the object during transporting. This pattern of modulation appears to differ markedly from that previously reported for the excitatory component of the withdrawal reflex. Study of the nociceptive inhibitory reflexes during movement offers new and more profound insights into the functional anatomical organization of the spinal interneuronal network mediating sensory–motor integration.
Intensity and correlates of multidimensional problems in HIV patients receiving integrated palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa

Background Despite global clinical guidance that HIV patients should have multidimensional care integrated into their management, there has been very limited data to guide practice since the advent of treatment. This study aimed to determine the three-day period intensity of problems (physical, psychological, social and spiritual) among HIV patients receiving integrated palliative care in sub-Saharan Africa, and to identify associations with problem severity. Methods A sample of 230 consecutive adult patients attending five sites in South Africa and Uganda gave self-report data using a well-validated outcome scale. Multivariable regression models determine the association of patient characteristics with intensity of three scale factors. Results The most burdensome problems were (in descending order) pain, worry, symptoms, and adequate information to plan for the future. Interestingly, CD4 counts were available on file for only 59.1% of patients. In multivariate analyses, being cared for at home was associated with poorer physical/psychological factor score (B=−0.192, 95% CI −2.566 -0.464, p=0.005), while being on ART was associated with better factor score (B=0.187, 95% CI=0.424 23.80, p=0.005). For the existential/spiritual factor, being cared for at home was associated with a worse factor score (B=−0.306, 95% CI −2.776 −1.128, p<0.001). ART use was not associated with either the interpersonal or spiritual/existential factors. Discussion These self-report data reveal a high burden of both physical and psychological problems, and that communication from professionals is insufficient. Patients receiving home care may require additional support to enhance wellbeing, and treatment may not affect interpersonal and existential/spiritual wellbeing.
Stakeholder Representations of Gentrification in Amsterdam and Berlin: A Marginal Process?

In recent years, several studies have highlighted how gentrification strategies are imposed under the discursive umbrella of ‘social mixing’. However, most evidence is based on Anglo-Saxon experiences. This paper sets out to expand the geography of gentrification by looking at the representation of processes and policies of gentrification as put forward by key stakeholders in Nord-Neukölln (Berlin) and Indische Buurt (Amsterdam). It shows that in both contexts, stakeholders and policy documents engage with the concept of gentrification, rather than avoid it. Due to public-policy influence and local criticisms, this engagement differs between both cases. In Nord-Neukölln, the term is heavily contested and policy-makers attempt to refute accusations of gentrification, while in the Indische Buurt, the process is explicitly pursued as a positive policy instrument by policy-makers. Different representations within each case are shown to be influenced by the characteristics of in-moving and out-moving residents; the employed timeframe and the perceived influence of institutions on urban regeneration.
Elevated Homocysteine Level Related to Poor Outcome After Thrombolysis in Acute Ischemic Stroke

Background Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a well-known risk factor for ischemic stroke. However, whether HHcy can influence the treatment outcome of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients has yet to be fully determined. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum homocysteine (Hcy) level and prognosis in AIS patients who received tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment. Material/Methods Patients were recruited according to the research criteria and grouped by their serum Hcy levels. Neurological outcome was evaluated by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score system before and 1 week after treatment, and functional outcome was evaluated by modified Rankin Scale (MRS) score system after 3 months. All patients took CT/MRI examination to detect cerebral hemorrhage in 24 hours after tPA treatment. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was employed to assess if serum homocysteine level can be used as an index to predict the outcome after tPA treatment. Results The mean (±SD) serum Hcy level of 194 patients was 22.62±21.23 μmol/L. After 1-week tPA treatment, the NIHSS scores of high Hcy level group were significantly higher than those of low level group (p<0.05), meantime the high Hcy group showed obvious symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage risk after 24 hours (p<0.05). Poor outcome was presented in mRS score results after 3 months in high Hcy level group, which compared with low Hcy level group (p<0.01). The ROC showed that Hcy level was a moderately sensitive and specific index to predict the prognosis with an optimal cut-off value at 19.95 μmol/L (sensitivity [58.2%], specificity [80.3%]). Conclusions High serum homocysteine level could potentially predict poor prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients after tPA treatment.
Scenes , Spaces , and Memory Traces : What Does the Hippocampus Do ?

The hippocampus is one of the most closely scrutinized brain structures in neuroscience. While traditionally associated with memory and spatial cognition, in more recent years it has also been linked with other functions, including aspects of perception and imagining fictitious and future scenes. Efforts continue apace to understand how the hippocampus plays such an apparently wide-ranging role. Here we consider recent developments in the field and in particular studies of patients with bilateral hippocampal damage. We outline some key findings, how they have subsequently been challenged, and consider how to reconcile the disparities that are at the heart of current lively debates in the hippocampal literature.
Passivity Issues in Bilateral Teleoperation : A Phase Property

In control design for bilateral telemanipulation there is a trade-off between high transparency and sufficient stability margins. Stability problems can occur when the stiff slave manipulator encounters a stiff environment and large contact forces are fed back to the badly damped master giving oscillative behaviour in the teleoperator. This is the case for the research project presented in this paper where the environment is human bone which has a high stiffness. Adaptive control methods which adds extra damping in the teleoperator control loop when it is needed is a promising concept. This paper presents an idea on how to detect when to engage such an adaptive controller. The idea is based on the fundamental passivity result where passivity is regarded as a phase property and experimental results which show that during certain stiff contacts and oscillative behaviour, the teleoperator controller has a slightly positive net energy as a result of power gain on the master port and power loss on the controller’s slave port. The power loss on the slave port can then be used to engage a future stabilizing control portion.
Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Coronary Artery Disease and Angina: Analysis of the Irbesartan in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Systolic Function Trial.

BACKGROUND The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between coronary artery disease (CAD), angina, and clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction enrolled in the irbesartan in patients with heart failure and preserved systolic function (I-Preserve) trial. METHODS AND RESULTS The mean follow-up period for the 4128 patients enrolled in I-Preserve was 49.5 months. Patients were divided into 4 mutually exclusive groups according to history of CAD and angina: patients with no history of CAD or angina (n=2008), patients with no history of CAD but a history of angina (n=649), patients with a history of CAD but no angina (n=468), and patients with a history of CAD and angina (n=1003); patients with no known CAD or angina were the reference group. After adjustment for other prognostic variables using Cox proportional-hazard models, patients with CAD but no angina were found to be at higher risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.58 [1.22-2.04]; P<0.01) and sudden death (HR, 2.12 [1.33-3.39]; P<0.01), compared with patients with no CAD or angina. Patients with CAD and angina were also at higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR, 1.29 [1.05-1.59]; P=0.02) and sudden death (HR, 1.83 [1.24-2.69]; P<0.01) compared with the same reference group and had the highest risk of unstable angina or myocardial infarction (HR, 5.84 [3.43-9.95]; P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction and CAD are at higher risk of all-cause mortality and sudden death when compared with those without CAD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00095238.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 Expression in Human Thyroid Carcinoma and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Objectives Cyclooxygenases (COX) are enzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. COX‐2, unlike the constitutively expressed COX‐1, is an inducible enzyme upregulated during cell proliferation and inflammation. More recently, COX‐2 has been implicated in the development of numerous types of epithelial cancers. In addition, COX‐2 is highly expressed in several inflammatory diseases. Because of its dual role in inflammation and cancer, we were interested in determining if COX‐2 plays a role in the development of human thyroid carcinoma and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition frequently associated with thyroid malignancy.
Annotating Attribution Relations: Towards an Italian Discourse Treebank

In this paper we describe the development of a schema for the annotation of attribution relations and present the first findings and some relevant issues concerning this phenomenon. Following the D-LTAG approach to discourse, we have developed a lexically anchored description of attribution, considering this relation, contrary to the approach in the PDTB, independently from other discourse relations. This approach has allowed us to deal with the phenomenon in a broader perspective than previous studies, reaching therefore a more accurate description of it and making it possible to raise some still unaddressed issues. Following this analysis, we propose an annotation schema and discuss the first results concerning its applicability. The schema has been applied to a pilot portion of the ISST corpus of Italian and represents the initial phase of a project aiming at the creation of an Italian Discourse Treebank. We believe this work will raise some awareness concerning the fundamental importance of attribution relations. The identification of the source has in fact strong implications for the attributed material. Moreover, it will make overt the complexity of a phenomenon for long underestimated.