Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Psychometrics in Individual Differences Research in Cognition: A Case Study of the AX-CPT

Investigating individual differences in cognition requires addressing questions not often thought about in standard experimental designs, especially regarding the psychometric properties of the task. Using the AX-CPT cognitive control task as a case study example, we address four concerns that one may encounter when researching the topic of individual differences in cognition. First, we demonstrate the importance of variability in task scores, which in turn directly impacts reliability, particularly when comparing correlations in different populations. Second, we demonstrate the importance of variability and reliability for evaluating potential failures to replicate predicted correlations, even within the same population. Third, we demonstrate how researchers can turn to evaluating psychometric properties as a way of evaluating the feasibility of utilizing the task in new settings (e.g., online administration). Lastly, we show how the examination of psychometric properties can help researchers make informed decisions when designing a study, such as determining the appropriate number of trials for a task.
Relationship between complaints presented by emergency patients and the final outcome 1

Abstract Objective: to relate complaints presented by emergency room patients, classified using the Manchester Triage System, with the final outcome (discharge/death/transfer). Methods: prospective cohort study, involving 509 patients who were admitted to the emergency room and remained there for more than 24 hours after admission, being monitored to the final outcome. Data were analyzed with a statistical program using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: the mean age of the patients was 59.1 years and 59.3% were male. The main complaints were unwell adult (130 - 22.5%), shortness of breath in adults (81 - 14.0%), abdominal pain in adults (58 - 10.0%) and behaving strangely (34 - 5.9%), with 87% of the patients being discharged. More deaths were found in the patients classified in the severe colors, with 42.8% classified as red, 17.0% as orange and 8.9% as yellow. Among the patients classified as green, 9.6% died. Conclusion: in the various colors of the Manchester Triage System, death prevailed in patients that presented the complaints of unwell adult, shortness of breath, head injury, major trauma, diarrhea and vomiting. The higher the clinical priority the greater the prevalence of death.
Small cell cancer of the uterine cervix

Forty‐one patients with small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were evaluated and treated at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from 1962 to 1974. Eighteen patients (44%) developed widespread metastases and died of recurrent cancer within 2 years of therapy. Common sites of metastases included the lung, liver, and bone. There was a significantly lower incidence of lymphoplasmacytic infiltration in small cell cancers than in keratinizing or nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix. In addition, there was a significant increase in the number of unstimulated regional lymph nodes in patients with small cell cancer when compared with the lymph nodes of patients with the other cell types of cervical cancer. These data suggest that small cell cancer of the cervix is a highly aggressive tumor similar to small cell carcinoma of the lung and behaves quite differently from other types of squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. Radiation therapy was superior to radical surgery in eradicating pelvic disease, but prospective studies need to be undertaken to determine the effect of adjunctive chemotherapy in patients with this rare tumor.
D=10 Super-Yang-Mills at O(alpha'^2)

Using superspace techniques, the complete and most general action of D=10 super-Yang--Mills theory is constructed at the alpha'^2 level. No other approximations, e.g., keeping only a subset of the allowed derivative terms, are used. The Lorentz structure of the alpha'^2 corrections is completely determined, while (depending on the gauge group) there is some freedom in the adjoint structure, which is given by a totally symmetric four-index tensor. We examine the second, non-linearly realised supersymmetry that may be present when the gauge group has a U(1) factor, and find that the constraints from linear and non-linear supersymmetry to a large extent coincide. However, the additional restrictions on the adjoint structure of the order alpha'^2 interactions following from the requirement of non-linear supersymmetry do not completely specify the symmetrised trace prescription.
European settlement-era vegetation of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia

Forest restoration would be greatly helped by understanding just what forests looked like a century or more ago. One source of information on early forests is found in old deeds or surveys, where boundary corners were described by noting nearby trees known as witness trees. This paper describes the creation and analysis of a database of witness trees from original metes and bounds surveys of what became the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. We include an estimate of positional error from the conversion of paper maps to digital format. The final database contains 15,589 corners and 22,328 trees of 49 species from deeds dating from 1752 to 1899. White oak was the most frequent witness tree, followed by sugar maple, American beech, and American chestnut, and distribution patterns were recognizable across the study area. In early forests of the study area, magnolia, sugar maple, and black cherry were found on high-elevation ridges. Red spruce, hemlock, birch, and American beech were found on high-elevation toe slopes. Basswood was found in high-elevation coves, and red oak was associated with bench landforms at high elevations. At moderate elevations American chestnut and chestnut oak were associated with ridges, white pine and yellow pine occurred on benches, and an unknown species called spruce-pine was found on valley landforms. Blackgum was associated with toe slopes on low elevations, and black walnut was found on low-elevation benches. Low-elevation valleys contained white oak, elm, and sycamore. An important finding from this analysis is that some associations between species and environmental variables differed based on the ecological setting. Indicator kriging, using presence-absence data, resulted in probability of occurrence maps for selected species. We estimate that white oak covered 26 percent of the study area, sugar maple 19 percent, American chestnut 3 percent, and red spruce 2 percent.
Light Intensity-Dependent Modulation of Chlorophyll b Biosynthesis and Photosynthesis by Overexpression of Chlorophyllide a Oxygenase in Tobacco1[C][OA]

Chlorophyll b is synthesized by the oxidation of a methyl group on the B ring of a tetrapyrrole molecule to a formyl group by chlorophyllide a oxygenase (CAO). The full-length CAO from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) was overexpressed in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) that grows well at light intensities much higher than those tolerated by Arabidopsis. This resulted in an increased synthesis of glutamate semialdehyde, 5-aminolevulinic acid, magnesium-porphyrins, and chlorophylls. Overexpression of CAO resulted in increased chlorophyll b synthesis and a decreased chlorophyll a/b ratio in low light-grown as well as high light-grown tobacco plants; this effect, however, was more pronounced in high light. The increased potential of the protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase activity and chlorophyll biosynthesis compensated for the usual loss of chlorophylls in high light. Increased chlorophyll b synthesis in CAO-overexpressed plants was accompanied not only by an increased abundance of light-harvesting chlorophyll proteins but also of other proteins of the electron transport chain, which led to an increase in the capture of light as well as enhanced (40%–80%) electron transport rates of photosystems I and II at both limiting and saturating light intensities. Although the quantum yield of carbon dioxide fixation remained unchanged, the light-saturated photosynthetic carbon assimilation, starch content, and dry matter accumulation increased in CAO-overexpressed plants grown in both low- and high-light regimes. These results demonstrate that controlled up-regulation of chlorophyll b biosynthesis comodulates the expression of several thylakoid membrane proteins that increase both the antenna size and the electron transport rates and enhance carbon dioxide assimilation, starch content, and dry matter accumulation.
Dereplication and Chemotaxonomical Studies of Marine Algae of the Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta Phyla

Dereplication and chemotaxonomic studies of six marine algae of the Ochrophyta and one of the Rhodophyta phyla resulted in the detection of 22 separate compounds. All 16 secondary metabolites, including four new compounds (16–19), could be rapidly dereplicated using HPLC-NMR and HPLC-MS methodologies in conjunction with the MarinLit database. This study highlights the advantages of using NMR data (acquired via HPLC-NMR) for database searching and for the overall dereplication of natural products.
Communications in Mathematical Physics Spectral Theory for the Standard Model of Non-Relativistic QED

For a model of atoms and molecules made from static nuclei and nonrelativistic electrons coupled to the quantized radiation field (the standard model of non-relativistic QED), we prove a Mourre estimate and a limiting absorption principle in a neighborhood of the ground state energy. As corollaries we derive local decay estimates for the photon dynamics, and we prove absence of (excited) eigenvalues and absolute continuity of the energy spectrum near the ground state energy, a region of the spectrum not understood in previous investigations. The conjugate operator in our Mourre estimate is the second quantized generator of dilatations on Fock space.
Computational Prediction and Validation of an Expert's Evaluation of Chemical Probes

In a decade with over half a billion dollars of investment, more than 300 chemical probes have been identified to have biological activity through NIH funded screening efforts. We have collected the evaluations of an experienced medicinal chemist on the likely chemistry quality of these probes based on a number of criteria including literature related to the probe and potential chemical reactivity. Over 20% of these probes were found to be undesirable. Analysis of the molecular properties of these compounds scored as desirable suggested higher pKa, molecular weight, heavy atom count, and rotatable bond number. We were particularly interested whether the human evaluation aspect of medicinal chemistry due diligence could be computationally predicted. We used a process of sequential Bayesian model building and iterative testing as we included additional probes. Following external validation of these methods and comparing different machine learning methods, we identified Bayesian models with accuracy comparable to other measures of drug-likeness and filtering rules created to date.
Standard International prognostic index remains a valid predictor of outcome for patients with aggressive CD20+ B-cell lymphoma in the rituximab era.

PURPOSE The International Prognostic Index (IPI) is widely used for risk stratification of patients with aggressive B-cell lymphoma. The introduction of rituximab has markedly improved outcome, and R-CHOP (rituximab + cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) has become the standard treatment for CD20(+) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. To investigate whether the IPI has maintained its power for risk stratification when rituximab is combined with CHOP, we analyzed the prognostic relevance of IPI in three prospective clinical trials. PATIENTS AND METHODS In total, 1,062 patients treated with rituximab were included (MabThera International Trial [MInT], 380 patients; dose-escalated regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, and prednisone (MegaCHOEP) trial, 72 patients; CHOP + rituximab for patients older than age 60 years [RICOVER-60] trial, 610 patients). A multivariate proportional hazards modeling was performed for single IPI factors under rituximab on event-free, progression-free, and overall survival. RESULTS IPI score was significant for all three end points. Rituximab significantly improved treatment outcome within each IPI group resulting in a quenching of the Kaplan-Meier estimators. However, IPI was a significant prognostic factor in all three end points and the ordering of the IPI groups remained valid. The relative risk estimates of single IPI factors and their order in patients treated with R-CHOP were similar to those found with CHOP. CONCLUSION The effects of rituximab were superimposed on the effects of CHOP with no interactions between chemotherapy and antibody therapy. These results demonstrate that the IPI is still valid in the R-CHOP era.
Paediatric reference values for total homocysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine in blood spots

Abstract Determining blood concentrations of the amino acids homocysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine in children is of value in the clinical practice. Over the past decades, the use of blood spot samples to examine amino acid concentrations is increasing rapidly. In children, the use of blood spot samples is especially of relevance, as this method is much less invasive than venous blood sampling. Currently, no paediatric reference values for amino acids in blood spots are available. The aim of the current study was to establish reference values for blood spot concentrations of total homocysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine in school-age children. Dried blood spots were obtained in a community sample of 104 healthy children, aged 6–12 years old (52% males). Blood spot concentrations of total homocysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine were determined by positive electrospray liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Parents of participants completed questions regarding demographic characteristics. Our sample consisted of healthy children from various ethnic backgrounds, with varying levels of socioeconomic status, in line with the composition of the Dutch society. Blood spot concentrations of total homocysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine were similar in males and females, and independent of age. In conclusion, paediatric reference values for blood spot concentrations of total homocysteine, tryptophan, tyrosine and phenylalanine were established, which could be of use in the clinical practice.
Disruption of Type 5 Adenylyl Cyclase Enhances Desensitization of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Signal and Increases Akt Signal With Chronic Catecholamine Stress

Background— Desensitization of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate signal protects cardiac myocytes against catecholamine stress, thus preventing the development of apoptosis. Molecular mechanisms of desensitization have been well studied at the level of adrenergic receptors but less so at the level of the effector enzyme, adenylyl cyclase (AC). Methods and Results— When the effects of long-term (1 to 2 weeks) isoproterenol infusion were compared between type 5 AC-null mice (AC5KO) and wild-type controls, we found that the subsequent responses of left ventricular ejection fraction to sudden intravenous isoproterenol challenge were reduced in AC5KO compared with wild-type mice (ie, physiological desensitization was more effective in AC5KO), consistent with enhanced downregulation of AC catalytic activity in AC5KO. One mechanism for the less effective desensitization in wild-type mice was paradoxical upregulation of type 5 AC protein expression. The number of apoptotic myocytes was similar at baseline but was significantly less in AC5KO after infusion. This was accompanied by a 4-fold greater increase in Bcl-2 and a 3-fold greater increase in phospho-Akt in AC5KO. The latter is most likely mediated by increased membrane localization of phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, which is known to be inhibited by the cyclic adenosine monophosphate signal. Conclusions— The absence of type 5 AC results in more effective desensitization after long-term catecholamine stress and protects against the development of myocyte apoptosis and deterioration of cardiac function, potentially elucidating a novel approach to the therapy of heart failure.
Stability of conductivities in an inverse problem in the reaction-diffusion system in electrocardiology

In this paper, we study the stability result for the conductivities diffusion coefficients to a strongly reaction-diffusion system modeling electrical activity in the heart. To study the problem, we establish a Carleman estimate for our system. The proof is based on the combination of a Carleman estimate and certain weight energy estimates for parabolic systems.
Agent Learning using Action-Dependent Learning Rates in Computer Role-Playing Games

We introduce the ALeRT (Action-dependent Learning Rates with Trends) algorithm that makes two modifications to the learning rate and one change to the exploration rate of traditional reinforcement learning techniques. Our learning rates are action-dependent and increase or decrease based on trends in reward sequences. Our exploration rate decreases when the agent is learning successfully and increases otherwise. These improvements result in faster learning. We implemented this algorithm in NWScript, a scripting language used by BioWare Corp.’s Neverwinter Nights game, with the goal of improving the behaviours of game agents so that they react more intelligently to game events. Our goal is to provide an agent with the ability to (1) discover favourable policies in a multiagent computer role-playing game situation and (2) adapt to sudden changes in the environment.
Results from Ad Hoc and Routinely Collected Data among Celiac Women with Infertility or Pregnancy Related Disorders: Italy, 2001–2011

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune illness triggered by gluten consumption in genetically predisposed individuals. Worldwide, CD prevalence is approximately 1%. Several studies suggest a higher prevalence of undiagnosed CD in patients with infertility. We described reproductive disorders and assessed the frequency of hospital admissions for infertility among celiac women aged 15–49. We conducted two surveys enrolling a convenient sample of celiac women, residing in Apulia or in Basilicata (Italy). Moreover, we selected hospital discharge records (HDRs) of celiac women and women with an exemption for CD, and matched the lists with HDRs for reproductive disorders. In the surveys we included 91 celiac women; 61.5% of them reported menstrual cycle disorders. 47/91 reported at least one pregnancy and 70.2% of them reported problems during pregnancy. From the HDRs and the registry of exemption, we selected 4,070 women with CD; the proportion of women hospitalized for infertility was higher among celiac women than among resident women in childbearing age (1.2% versus 0.2%). Our findings highlight a higher prevalence of reproductive disorders among celiac women than in the general population suggesting that clinicians might consider testing for CD women presenting with pregnancy disorders or infertility.
Mouse and rat BDNF gene structure and expression revisited

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has important functions in the development of the nervous system and in brain plasticity‐related processes such as memory, learning, and drug addiction. Despite the fact that the function and regulation of rodent BDNF gene expression have received close attention during the last decade, knowledge of the structural organization of mouse and rat BDNF gene has remained incomplete. We have identified and characterized several mouse and rat BDNF transcripts containing novel 5′ untranslated exons and introduced a new numbering system for mouse and rat BDNF exons. According to our results both mouse and rat BDNF gene consist of eight 5′ untranslated exons and one protein coding 3′ exon. Transcription of the gene results in BDNF transcripts containing one of the eight 5′ exons spliced to the protein coding exon and in a transcript containing only 5′ extended protein coding exon. We also report the distinct tissue‐specific expression profiles of each of the mouse and rat 5′ exon‐specific transcripts in different brain regions and nonneural tissues. In addition, we show that kainic acid‐induced seizures that lead to changes in cellular Ca2+ levels as well as inhibition of DNA methylation and histone deacetylation contribute to the differential regulation of the expression of BDNF transcripts. Finally, we confirm that mouse and rat BDNF gene loci do not encode antisense mRNA transcripts, suggesting that mechanisms of regulation for rodent and human BDNF genes differ substantially. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor Promotion by Mdm 2 Splice Variants Unable to Bind p 531

The Mdm2 oncoprotein physically associates with p53 and antagonizes its tumor suppressor functions. Previous studies indicate that some tumors express alternatively or aberrantly spliced Mdm2 variants that are unable to bind p53, but whether these actively contribute to carcinogenesis or are a byproduct of cancer progression has been unclear. In this study, we examined the ability of full-length Mdm2 and several tumor-derived splice variants to modulate tumor development in E -myc transgenic mice. We report that several tumor-derived Mdm2 splice variants promote tumorigenesis in a manner that is comparable with full-length Mdm2. Our results imply that the current paradigm for understanding Mdm2 action during oncogenesis is incomplete, and its splice variants contribute to human cancer.
Reconstructing the Genetic Potential of the Microbially-Mediated Nitrogen Cycle in a Salt Marsh Ecosystem

Coastal ecosystems are considered buffer zones for the discharge of land-derived nutrients without accounting for potential negative side effects. Hence, there is an urgent need to better understand the ecological assembly and dynamics of the microorganisms that are involved in nitrogen (N) cycling in such systems. Here, we employed two complementary methodological approaches (i.e., shotgun metagenomics and quantitative PCR) to examine the distribution and abundance of selected microbial genes involved in N transformations. We used soil samples collected along a well-established pristine salt marsh soil chronosequence that spans over a century of ecosystem development at the island of Schiermonnikoog, The Netherlands. Across the examined soil successional stages, the structure of the populations of genes involved in N cycling processes was strongly related to (shifts in the) soil nitrogen levels (i.e., NO3−, NH4+), salinity and pH (explaining 73.8% of the total variation, R2 = 0.71). Quantification of the genes used as proxies for N fixation, nitrification and denitrification revealed clear successional signatures that corroborated the taxonomic assignments obtained by metagenomics. Notably, we found strong evidence for niche partitioning, as revealed by the abundance and distribution of marker genes for nitrification (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and archaea) and denitrification (nitrite reductase nirK, nirS and nitrous oxide reductase nosZ clades I and II). This was supported by a distinct correlation between these genes and soil physico-chemical properties, such as soil physical structure, pH, salinity, organic matter, total N, NO3−, NH4+ and SO42−, across four seasonal samplings. Overall, this study sheds light on the successional trajectories of microbial N cycle genes along a naturally developing salt marsh ecosystem. The data obtained serve as a foundation to guide the formulation of ecological models that aim to effectively monitor and manage pristine and impacted salt marsh areas. Such models should account for the ecology as well as the historical contingency of N cycling communities.