Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical spectrum of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease

Impulse control disorders (ICDs), including compulsive gambling, buying, sexual behavior, and eating, are a serious and increasingly recognized psychiatric complication in Parkinson's disease (PD). Other impulsive‐compulsive behaviors (ICBs) have been described in PD, including punding (stereotyped, repetitive, purposeless behaviors) and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS; compulsive PD medication overuse). ICDs have been most closely related to the use of dopamine agonists (DAs), perhaps more so at higher doses; in contrast, DDS is primarily associated with shorter‐acting, higher‐potency dopaminergic medications, such as apomorphine and levodopa. Possible risk factors for ICDs include male sex, younger age and younger age at PD onset, a pre‐PD history of ICDs, and a personal or family history of substance abuse, bipolar disorder, or gambling problems. Given the paucity of treatment options and potentially serious consequences, it is critical for PD patients to be monitored closely for development of ICDs as part of routine clinical care. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
"Caged calcium" in Aplysia pacemaker neurons. Characterization of calcium-activated potassium and nonspecific cation currents

We have studied calcium-activated potassium current, IK(Ca), and calcium-activated nonspecific cation current, INS(Ca), in Aplysia bursting pacemaker neurons, using photolysis of a calcium chelator (nitr-5 or nitr-7) to release "caged calcium" intracellularly. A computer model of nitr photolysis, multiple buffer equilibration, and active calcium extrusion was developed to predict volume-average and front-surface calcium concentration transients. Changes in arsenazo III absorbance were used to measure calcium concentration changes caused by nitr photolysis in microcuvettes. Our model predicted the calcium increments caused by successive flashes, and their dependence on calcium loading, nitr concentration, and light intensity. Flashes also triggered the predicted calcium concentration jumps in neurons filled with nitr-arsenazo III mixtures. In physiological experiments, calcium- activated currents were recorded under voltage clamp in response to flashes of different intensity. Both IK(Ca) and INS(Ca) depended linearly without saturation upon calcium concentration jumps of 0.1-20 microM. Peak membrane currents in neurons exposed to repeated flashes first increased and then declined much like the arsenazo III absorbance changes in vitro, which also indicates a first-order calcium activation. Each flash-evoked current rose rapidly to a peak and decayed to half in 3-12 s. Our model mimicked this behavior when it included diffusion of calcium and nitr perpendicular to the surface of the neuron facing the flashlamp. Na/Ca exchange extruding about 1 pmol of calcium per square centimeter per second per micromolar free calcium appeared to speed the decline of calcium-activated membrane currents. Over a range of different membrane potentials, IK(Ca) and INS(Ca) decayed at similar rates, indicating similar calcium stoichiometries independent of voltage. IK(Ca), but not INS(Ca), relaxes exponentially to a different level when the voltage is suddenly changed. We have estimated voltage-dependent rate constants for a one-step first-order reaction scheme of the activation of IK(Ca) by calcium. After a depolarizing pulse, INS(Ca) decays at a rate that is well predicted by a model of diffusion of calcium away from the inner membrane surface after it has entered the cell, with active extrusion by surface pumps and uptake into organelles. IK(Ca) decays somewhat faster than INS(Ca) after a depolarization, because of its voltage-dependent relaxation combined with the decay of submembrane calcium. The interplay of these two currents accounts for the calcium-dependent outward-inward tail current sequence after a depolarization, and the corresponding afterpotentials after a burst
Flesh on the bones : a critical meta-analytic perspective of achievement lens studies

In the evaluation work on judgment and decision-making meta-analysis is often applied (see Karelaia & Hogarth, 2008; Grove et al., 2000). In all these studies the so-called bare-bones meta-analysis is used, the psychometric meta-analysis would be more accurate (see Wittmann, 1985). Hence, in my thesis I took lens studies on judgment achievement to reveal the success of psychometric evaluation and compare them with previous bare-bones meta-analysis (Kaufmann & Athanasou, 2009). Our work clearly shows that without such an analysis judgment achievement and the underlying lens components are underestimated and their heterogeneity overestimated or in other words, that flesh is needed on the bones to accurately evaluate judgment and decision-making research. Consequently, also the success of expert model make-up on bare-bones meta-analyzed lens model indexes is not adequately estimated (see Camerer, 1981; Karelaia & Hogarth, 2008).
Electron kinetic effects and beam related instabilities in Hall thrusters

Recent analytical studies and particle-in-cell simulations suggested that the electron velocity distribution function in a Hall thruster plasma is non-Maxwellian and anisotropic. The electron average kinetic energy in the direction parallel to walls is several times larger than the electron average kinetic energy in direction normal to the walls. Electrons are stratified into several groups depending on their origin (e.g., plasma discharge volume or thruster channel walls) and confinement (e.g., lost on the walls or trapped in the plasma). Practical analytical formulas are derived for wall fluxes, secondary electron fluxes, plasma parameters and conductivity. The calculations based on analytical formulas agree well with the results of numerical simulations. The self-consistent analysis demonstrates that elastic electron scattering on collisions with atoms and ions plays a key role in formation of the electron velocity distribution function and plasma-wall interaction. The fluxes of electrons from the plasma bulk are shown to be proportional to the rate of scattering to loss cone, thus collision frequency determines the wall potential and secondary electron fluxes. Secondary electron emission from the walls is shown to enhance the electron conductivity across the magnetic field, while having almost no effect on insulating properties of the near-wall sheaths. Such a self-consistent decoupling between secondary electron emission effects on electron energy losses and electron crossed-field transport is currently not captured by the existing fluid and hybrid models of the Hall thrusters. The sheath near the electron-emitting surface may become unstable if it is characterized by the negative volt-ampere characteristics, which occurs in presence of strong secondary electron emission. It is found that in stable stationary plasma state the final phase of cyclotron rotation of secondary electrons emitted from the thruster walls is not arbitrary but belongs to the discrete set of stability intervals. In the limit of high discharge voltages, a new regime with relaxation oscillations is identified. In this regime, the plasma constantly switches between a state with non-space charge limited emission and a state with a space charge limited emission.
First language attrition: Assessing first language vulnerability to attrition

Introduction This chapter addresses the issue of which aspects of first language grammar are most vulnerable to attrition. Three untimed tasks are used to examine the first language knowledge of two proficient German–English bilinguals for the purpose of outlining methodological approaches to the investigation of this issue. The first experiment is an untimed sentence judgement task which investigates the vulnerability of first language (German) surface word order under the influence of second language (English) word order. The second task, also an untimed sentence judgement task, examines the vulnerability of first language selectional restrictions under the influence of second language idiomatic verb usage. The third task is an untimed fill-in task which assesses the vulnerability of first language gender and pluralization information and the relationship of this information to the factors of frequency and predictability. The experimental data will be useful in drawing preliminary conclusions regarding first language vulnerability to attrition as well as highlighting potentially fruitful areas for future research. Some of the issues for which these types of tasks and their findings have relevance will first be briefly outlined. The competence/performance issue, of central importance in all psycholinguistic research, is of special significance in research on proficient bilingualism. This is because, on the one hand, the proficient bilingual must have a knowledge of two distinct sets of grammatical rules and forms, one for each of his/her languages, since no two languages are so similar that they can be described by the same descriptively adequate grammar.
Mass and spin measurements for the neutron star 4U1608−52 through the relativistic precession model

We present a systematic analysis of the complete set of observations of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary 4U1608-52 obtained by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer's Proportional Counter Array. We study the spectral and fast-time variability properties of the source in order to determine the mass and spin of the neutron star via the relativistic precession model, and find 24 observations containing usable sets of the necessary three quasi-periodic oscillations (triplets) with which to accomplish this task, along with a further 7 observations containing two of the three quasi-periodic oscillations each. We calculate the spin and mass of the source for each of the triplets, and find that they give physically realistic estimates clustering in the spin range $0.19 < a < 0.35$ and mass range $2.15 < M/\textrm{M}_{\odot} < 2.6$. Neutron stars present environments for studying matter under the most extreme conditions of pressure and density; as their equation of state is not yet known, accurate measurements of their mass and spin will eventually allow for the discrimination between various models. We discuss the implications of our findings in the context of equation of state predictions, physically allowed spin ranges, emission proximity to the innermost stable circular orbit and possible model inaccuracies.
Comparative Study on ZnO Monolayer Doped with Al, Ga and In Atoms as Transparent Electrodes

Transparent anodes are indispensable components for optoelectronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting increasing research interest due to their unique properties and promising applications. In order to design novel transparent anodes, we investigated the electronic, optical, and electrical properties of 2D ZnO monolayers doped with Al, Ga, and In using the first-principles calculation in combination with the Boltzmann transport theory. When the doping concentration of Al, Ga, and In is less than 12.5 wt %, we find that the average transmittance reaches up to 99% in the visible and UV regions. Moreover, the electrical conductivity is enhanced for the Al, Ga, and In doped systems compared to that of the pristine ZnO monolayer. In particular, a good electrical conductivity with a significant improvement for the In doped ZnO monolayer is achieved compared to Al and Ga doping at the 6.25 wt % level. These results suggest that the ZnO monolayer based materials, and in particular the In doped ZnO monolayer, are promising transparent anodes for nanoscale electronic and optoelectronic applications.
Simulating the impact of x-ray heating during the cosmic dawn

Upcoming observations of the 21-cm signal from the Epoch of Reionization will soon provide us with the first direct detection of this era. This signal is influenced by many as-trophysical effects, including long range X-ray heating of the intergalactic gas. During the preceding Cosmic Dawn era the impact of this heating on the 21-cm signal is particularly prominent, especially before spin temperature saturation. We present the largest-volume (244 h−¹ Mpc=349Mpc comoving) full numerical radiative transfer simulations to date of this epoch, including the effects of helium and multi-frequency heating, both with and without X-ray sources. We show that X-ray sources can contribute significantly to early heating of the neutral intergalactic medium and, hence, to the corresponding 21-cm signal. The inclusion of hard, energetic radiation yields an earlier, extended transition from absorption to emission compared to the stellar-only case. The presence of X-ray sources decreases the absolute value of the mean 21-cm differential brightness temperature. These hard sources also significantly increase the 21-cm fluctuations compared the common assumption of temperature saturation. The power spectrum is initially boosted on large scales before decreasing on all scales. Compared to the case of the cold, unheated intergalactic medium, the signal has lower rms fluctuations and increased non-Gaussianity, as measured by the skewness and kurtosis of the 21-cm probability distribution functions. Images of the 21-cm signal with resolutions around 11 arcmin still show fluctuations well above the expected noise for deep integrations with the SKA1-Low, indicating that direct imaging of the X-ray heating epoch could be feasible.
Narratives and emotions in seniors affected by dementia: A comparative study using a robot and a toy

This paper describes a study conducted in a Care Home with six women affected by dementia. The study focused on storytelling and compared the effect of the seal robot PARO with Sugar, a toy looking like a baby seal, in stimulating the creation of stories either based on personal memories or invented by the person. Narrative is a primitive function of human psychology, lying at the heart of human thought. The representation of experience in narratives provides a frame which enables humans to interpret their experiences. Through storytelling we learn to communicate and make sense of the external world. As Bruner [1] points out, narrative is a fundamental aspect of meaning construction, which is a developmental activity that starts in early childhood and characterizes our entire lives. It is therefore fundamental to maintain narrative competence throughout life, even when the cognitive competencies are impaired, as in the case of dementia. The stories collected during the experimental sessions were evaluated from different points of view: length, terminology, emotional content and coherence. The results show that interacting with Paro, unlike Sugar, stimulates storytelling, encouraging interaction among participants and supporting the construction of more emotionally intense content.
Titanium and Zirconium Levels Are Associated with Changes in MicroRNAs Expression: Results from a Human Cross-Sectional Study on Obese Population

Objectives In this study on 90 individuals we aimed at evaluating the microRNAs (miRNAs) expression profile associated with personal levels of Titanium (Ti) and Zirconium (Zr) traced in hair samples. Ti and Zr materials are broadly used for dental implants but the biological reactions triggered by a long term presence of these materials in the oral cavity still need to be assessed. MiRNAs are mechanisms that need to be investigated as they play a fundamental role in the control of gene expression following external stimuli and contribute to a wide range of pathophysiological processes. Methods Using the TaqMan® Low-Density Array, we assessed the expression levels of 377 human miRNAs in peripheral blood of 90 subjects. Hair samples were analyzed for Ti and Zr content using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. We performed multivariable regression analysis to investigate the effects of Ti and Zr exposure on miRNA expression levels. We used the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software to explore the functional role of the investigated miRNAs and the related target genes. Results Seven miRNAs (miR-99b, miR-142-5p, miR-152, miR-193a-5p, miR-323-3p, miR-335, miR-494) resulted specifically associated with Zr levels. The functional target analysis showed that miRNAs are involved in mechanisms such as inflammation, skeletal and connective tissue disorders. Conclusions Our data suggest that Zr is more bioactive than Ti and show that miRNAs are relevant molecular mechanisms sensitive to Zr exposure.
An optomechanical model eye for ophthalmological refractive studies.

PURPOSE To create an accurate, low-cost optomechanical model eye for investigation of refractive errors in clinical and basic research studies. METHODS An optomechanical fluid-filled eye model with dimensions consistent with the human eye was designed and fabricated. Optical simulations were performed on the optomechanical eye model, and the quantified resolution and refractive errors were compared with the widely used Navarro eye model using the ray-tracing software ZEMAX (Radiant Zemax, Redmond, WA). The resolution of the physical optomechanical eye model was then quantified with a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor imager using the image resolution software SFR Plus (Imatest, Boulder, CO). Refractive, manufacturing, and assembling errors were also assessed. A refractive intraocular lens (IOL) and a diffractive IOL were added to the optomechanical eye model for tests and analyses of a 1951 U.S. Air Force target chart. RESULTS Resolution and aberrations of the optomechanical eye model and the Navarro eye model were qualitatively similar in ZEMAX simulations. Experimental testing found that the optomechanical eye model reproduced properties pertinent to human eyes, including resolution better than 20/20 visual acuity and a decrease in resolution as the field of view increased in size. The IOLs were also integrated into the optomechanical eye model to image objects at distances of 15, 10, and 3 feet, and they indicated a resolution of 22.8 cycles per degree at 15 feet. CONCLUSIONS A life-sized optomechanical eye model with the flexibility to be patient-specific was designed and constructed. The model had the resolution of a healthy human eye and recreated normal refractive errors. This model may be useful in the evaluation of IOLs for cataract surgery.
Involved fatherhood : an analysis of the conditions associated with paternal involvement in childcare and housework

Most industrialised countries have witnessed a shift in the ? male breadwinner? modelof family life as new generations of mothers have increasingly combined employmentwith parenting responsibilities. This has had implications for the role of fathers andtheir contributions to childcare and domestic work have increased as a result.However the change in fathers? contributions has not kept pace with the change inwomen? s economic activity, suggesting there are social, political, economic andcultural barriers in place.Two sweeps of the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) are used to explore some of theconditions under which fathers become more actively involved in childcare andhousework when cohort children are aged nine months and three years old. Thisquestion is examined cross-sectionally and longitudinally within the context of a twoparent,heterosexual household in Britain. Three data classification techniques areused to derive two latent measures that represent two dimensions of paternalinvolvement (engagement and responsibility). Multiple regression is used to modelinvolvement at aged nine months; logistic regression is used to model what type ofcaregiver a father is when the child is aged three.The main findings are:� Patterns of maternal and paternal employment have the strongest associationwith paternal involvement at both time points. When children are aged ninemonths, the hours that a mother works appear to have a stronger associationwith paternal involvement than fathers? own work hours (although this is stillimportant). The likelihood of a father being involved with his three year old alsoincreases dramatically the longer the hours the mother spends in paid work.Fathers? own work hours have a slightly stronger association with whether theytake on a primary caregiving role at age three. � There are considerable variations in involvement when the child is aged ninemonths by ethnicity as involvement is lower for fathers with an Indian,Pakistani or Bangladeshi background. Responsibility for housework, however,is slightly higher for black/black British fathers. � Various demographics also have a small association with involved fathering atage three. For example, fathers are more likely to be involved when their childis a boy, when there are no other children in the household and when they tookleave following their child? s birth.The thesis exposes some of the employment and demographic conditions associatedwith greater paternal involvement with young children. In doing so it also brings tolight some of the barriers to greater gender equity in the division of domestic labour(childcare and housework). The findings emphasise the importance of employmenthours with long work hours hindering involvement and mothers? participation in thelabour market encouraging it. The thesis provides a foundation from which to developfurther analyses so that a better understanding of the variations in paternalinvolvement can be achieved.
Ambient pH Is a Major Determinant in the Expression of Cuticle-Degrading Enzymes and Hydrophobin by Metarhizium anisopliae

ABSTRACT Secretion of proteolytic and chitinolytic enzymes is a hallmark of infection processes of Metarhizium anisopliae in response to host (insect) cuticular signals. The regulation of these enzymes (subtilisin-like proteases [Pr1a and Pr1b], trypsin-like proteases [Pr2], metalloproteases, aspartyl proteases, aminopeptidase, and chitinases) and a hydrophobin was investigated by Northern analysis and/or enzyme assay. The production of each enzyme showed a differential expression pattern in response to ambient pH; enzymes were synthesized only at pHs at which they function effectively, irrespective of whether the medium contained an inductive cuticle substrate. Three aspartyl proteases (pH optimum, 3), and chitinase (pH optimum, 5) showed maximal accumulation at acidic pHs. The highest level of aminopeptidase (pH optimum, 7) was detected at pH 7. The highest levels of five metalloproteases (pH optima, ca. 7) were detected over the pH range 6 to 8. Two trypsins and several subtilisin-like Pr1 isoforms with pH optima of ca. 8 were produced only under alkaline conditions. Northern analysis of RNA species corresponding to seven cDNA sequences encoding proteases and chitinase confirmed that the ambient pH played a major role in gene expression of secreted proteins. Hydrophobin was expressed almost equally at pHs 5 and 8 but was not expressed at pH 3. During fungal penetration, the pH of infected cuticle rises from about 6.3 to 7.7. Consistent with pH regulation of enzyme production, serine and metalloproteases were produced in situ during infection, but no production of aspartyl proteases was found. We propose that the alkalinity of infected cuticle represents a physiological signal that triggers the production of virulence factors.