Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Multilingualism (But Not Always Bilingualism) Delays the Onset of Alzheimer Disease: Evidence From a Bilingual Community

A recent paper by Bialystok et al in Neuropsychologia (vol. 45, pgs. 459 to 464) suggested that early bilingualism produced a statistically significant 4.1-year delay in onset of memory loss symptoms in older individuals with Alzheimer disease, possibly reflecting an increase in the cognitive reserve of these individuals. That study focused on multilingual elderly patients of whom 90% were immigrants. Our memory clinic, in Montreal Canada, has the advantage of having a large set of individuals who are either multilingual immigrants to Canada, or who are nonimmigrants but raised in both official languages of Canada—French and English. We thus attempted to replicate the above findings using a larger cohort in a different setting. We examined age at diagnosis of Alzheimer disease and age at symptom onset for all unilingual versus multilingual participants, and then for those who were nonimmigrant English/French bilinguals. Overall, we found a small but significant protective effect of more than 2 languages spoken, but we found no significant benefit in bilinguals overall in relation to age at diagnosis or age at symptom onset. However, in the immigrant group, the results mirrored those of Bialystok et al with 2 or more languages delaying the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease by almost 5 years. A trend toward the same effect was also seen in nonimmigrants whose first language was French. In contrast, in nonimmigrants whose first language was English, no such effect was found. These results are discussed in relation to the earlier findings and the theory of cognitive reserve.
Perinatal risk factors for premature ischaemic heart disease in a Swedish national cohort

Objective Several studies have reported associations between restricted fetal development, as shown by birth weight or birth length, and later ischaemic heart disease (IHD). However, few studies have examined the importance of these perinatal factors when taking into account gestational age at birth, hereditary factors, sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. This study investigated the importance of perinatal risk factors for premature IHD and myocardial infarction (MI) in a large Swedish cohort. Setting and participants National cohort study of 1 970 869 individuals who were live-born in Sweden in 1973 through 1992, and followed up to 2010 (ages 18–38 years). Primary and secondary outcome measures The main outcome was IHD, and the secondary outcome was MI. Results A total of 668 individuals were diagnosed with IHD in 18.8 million person-years of follow-up. After adjusting for gestational age at birth, sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and family history of IHD, low fetal growth was associated with increased risk of IHD (HR for <−2 vs −1 to <1 SD, 1.54; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.07; p=0.004) and increased risk of MI (HR for <−2 vs −1 to <1 SD, 2.48; 95% CI 1.66 to 3.71; p<0.001) in young adulthood. In contrast, gestational age at birth was not associated with the risk of IHD or MI. Conclusions In this large national cohort, low fetal growth was strongly associated with IHD and MI in young adulthood, independently of gestational age at birth, sociodemographic factors, comorbidities and family history of IHD.
Medial Prefrontal–Medial Temporal Theta Phase Coupling in Dynamic Spatial Imagery

Hippocampal–medial prefrontal interactions are thought to play a crucial role in mental simulation. Notably, the frontal midline/medial pFC (mPFC) theta rhythm in humans has been linked to introspective thought and working memory. In parallel, theta rhythms have been proposed to coordinate processing in the medial temporal cortex, retrosplenial cortex (RSc), and parietal cortex during the movement of viewpoint in imagery, extending their association with physical movement in rodent models. Here, we used noninvasive whole-head MEG to investigate theta oscillatory power and phase-locking during the 18-sec postencoding delay period of a spatial working memory task, in which participants imagined previously learned object sequences either on a blank background (object maintenance), from a first-person viewpoint in a scene (static imagery), or moving along a path past the objects (dynamic imagery). We found increases in 4- to 7-Hz theta power in mPFC when comparing the delay period with a preencoding baseline. We then examined whether the mPFC theta rhythm was phase-coupled with ongoing theta oscillations elsewhere in the brain. The same mPFC region showed significantly higher theta phase coupling with the posterior medial temporal lobe/RSc for dynamic imagery versus either object maintenance or static imagery. mPFC theta phase coupling was not observed with any other brain region. These results implicate oscillatory coupling between mPFC and medial temporal lobe/RSc theta rhythms in the dynamic mental exploration of imagined scenes.
Electrical Signal Source Separation Via Nonnegative Tensor Factorization Using On Site Measurements in a Smart Home

Measuring the electrical consumption of individual appliances in a household has recently received renewed interest in the area of energy efficiency research and sustainable development. The unambiguous acquisition of information by a single monitoring point of the whole house's electrical signal is known as energy disaggregation or nonintrusive load monitoring. A novel way to look into the issue of energy disaggregation is to interpret it as a single-channel source separation problem. To this end, we analyze the performance of source modeling based on multiway arrays and the corresponding decomposition or tensor factorization. First, with the proviso that a tensor composed of the data for the several devices in the house is given, nonnegative tensor factorization is performed in order to extract the most relevant components. Second, the outcome is later embedded in the test step, where only the measured consumption over the whole home is available. Finally, the disaggregated data by the device is obtained by factorizing the associated matrix considering the learned models. In this paper, we compare this method with a recent approach based on sparse coding. The results are obtained using real-world data from household electrical consumption measurements. The analysis of the comparison results illustrates the relevance of the multiway array-based approach in terms of accurate disaggregation, as further endorsed by the statistical analysis performed.
Effect of drought stress on mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) under arid climatic conditions of Saudi Arabia

Water limitation is undoubtedly a critical environmental constraint hampering crop production in arid and semiarid areas. The present study was conducted to assess the water deficit stress consequences of yield components and water use efficiency (WUE) in mungbean. A field experiment was conducted at Educational Farm, Crop Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, Kind Saud University, Saudi Arabia during 2012–2013. The trial was comprised of four irrigation intervals viz. (3, 5, 7 and 9 day intervals) as well as three mungbean genotypes; Kawmay-1, VC-2010 and King. The experiment was arranged under split plot design with irrigation as the main plot and genotype as subplot treatment, and replicated thrice. Plant height, 100 seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, harvest index and WUE were recorded at harvesting. Results revealed that a decrease in irrigation had significantly hampered all the studied parameters except WUE. The differences found among mungbean genotypes were significant. Whereas irrigation-genotype interaction was significant for seed yield, harvest index and WUE. Plant height, shoot weight and biological yield were recorded as non-significant for irrigation-genotype interaction. The minimum irrigation interval (3 days) produced the maximum values, while VC-2010 comparatively performed best under low irrigation levels. It is concluded that mungbean may be successfully adopted under the Saudi Arabian climate, but it needs frequent irrigation. However, genotypic variations are a hope to developing improved varieties with a higher WUE.
New developments in AEM discrete conductor modelling and inversion

Discrete conductor models like sphere and plate were introduced in the 1950s as modelling tools in airborne electromagnetic (AEM) survey interpretation. In the last 20 years, with the development of inversion techniques, they have been integrated into parametric inversion programs. The recent advent of powerful workstations makes them useful tools for interactive AEM interpretation. Different problems have been encountered in the implementation and application of discrete objects as modelling and inversion tools. The sphere response is modelled using a sum of spherical functions. Assuming that the radius of the sphere is small compared to the distance between the transmitter and receiver to the centre of the sphere, the response can be approximated by using only the first term of the solution. This approach is reviewed for modelling the response of a conductive sphere in free space or buried in a layered earth. Plate modelling is based on spectral methods or the integral equation method, which provide different techniques for estimating the response of a plate in free space. A comparison of the results of these techniques show differences attributed to the different discretisation methods. A case history from Abitibi, Canada, shows that plate inversion using two different inversion methods provides useful information when the target is a plate-like conductor in a resistive environment. In the last 20 years, sphere and plate models have been integrated in parametric inversion programs which are used today for interactive interpretation of airborne electromagnetic surveys on powerful workstations. Different problems encountered in the implementation and application of these models are discussed and a case history from Abitibi, Canada, is presented.
Mental health differences between frequent cannabis users with and without dependence and the general population.

AIMS To compare the prevalence of mental disorders between frequent cannabis users with and without dependence and the general population. DESIGN Cross-sectional comparison of interview data. SETTING Enriched community sample of frequent cannabis users and a representative sample of non-users and non-frequent users from the general population. PARTICIPANTS A total of 521 young adult (aged 18-30 years) frequent cannabis users, 252 of whom were with DSM-IV cannabis dependence (D+) and 269 without DSM-IV cannabis dependence (D-), and 1072 young adults from the general population. MEASUREMENTS Multinomial logistic regression was used to compare groups regarding the presence of DSM-IV mental disorders. Detailed measures of cannabis use, childhood adversity and other substance use were considered confounders. FINDINGS Compared with the general population, externalizing disorders were more prevalent in D- [odds ratio (OR) = 8.91, P < 0.001] and most prevalent in D+ (OR = 17.75, P < 0.001), but internalizing disorders were associated only with D+ (mood OR = 4.15, P < 0.001; anxiety OR = 2.20, P = 0.002). Associations were attenuated (and often became non-significant) after correction for childhood adversity and substance use other than cannabis. However, the prevalence of mental disorders remained higher in D+ compared with D- (OR = 2.40, P < 0.001), although cannabis use patterns were remarkably similar. CONCLUSIONS Cannabis use patterns, childhood adversity and the use of other substances are similar in dependent and non-dependent frequent cannabis users. With the exception of more externalizing disorders, the mental health condition of non-dependent frequent cannabis users is similar to that of the general population, whereas it is worse in dependent frequent cannabis users.
Mitochondrial Toxicity in Human Pregnancy: An Update on Clinical and Experimental Approaches in the Last 10 Years

Mitochondrial toxicity can be one of the most dreadful consequences of exposure to a wide range of external agents including pathogens, therapeutic agents, abuse drugs, toxic gases and other harmful chemical substances. However, little is known about the effects of mitochondrial toxicity on pregnant women exposed to these agents that may exert transplacental activity and condition fetal remodeling. It has been hypothesized that mitochondrial toxicity may be involved in some adverse obstetric outcomes. In the present study, we investigated the association between exposure to mitochondrial toxic agents and pathologic conditions ranging from fertility defects, detrimental fetal development and impaired newborn health due to intra-uterine exposure. We have reviewed data from studies in human subjects to propose mechanisms of mitochondrial toxicity that could be associated with the symptoms present in both exposed pregnant and fetal patients. Since some therapeutic interventions or accidental exposure cannot be avoided, further research is needed to gain insight into the molecular pathways leading to mitochondrial toxicity during pregnancy. The ultimate objective of these studies should be to reduce the mitochondrial toxicity of these agents and establish biomarkers for gestational monitoring of harmful effects.
Explorer The development and validation of a general measure of well-being : the BBC well-being scale

Purpose: The concept of maximising well-being, as opposed to merely treating mental disorder, is a powerful current theme in the area of mental health. Clearly this emphasises the need for appropriate valid and reliable measures of general well-being. This paper examines the appropriateness of a number of measures in this area and concludes that existing assessment tools fail to address the full range of aspects of personal well-being. This paper therefore presents the psychometric properties, validity and reliability of a new measure of well-being the BBC Well-being Scale. Methods: A total of 1940 participants completed the new measure, the Goldberg scales of anxiety and depression, the ‘List of Threatening Experiences” life events scale, a modified version of the Response Styles Questionnaire and a modified version of the Internal, Personal and Situational Attributions Questionnaire presented via the internet. Results: Exploratory factor-analysis suggested a three-factor solution including themes of psychological wellbeing, physical health and well-being and relationships. The total 24-item scale had good internal consistency (α = 0.935) and correlated significantly with key demographic variables and measures of concurrent validity. Conclusions: The new measure – the BBC Well-being Scale – is recommended for research and clinical purposes.
A solution to the L space problem

In this paper I will construct a non-separable hereditarily Lindelof space (L space) without any additional axiomatic assumptions. I will also show that there is a function f from [omega_1]^2 to omega_1 such that if A,B, subsets of omega_1, are uncountable and x omega_1, then there are a < b in A and B respectively with f(a,b) = x. Previously it was unknown whether such a function existed even if omega_1 was replaced by 2. Finally, I will prove that there is no basis for the uncountable regular Hausdorff spaces of cardinality aleph_1. Each of these results gives a strong refutation of a well known and longstanding conjecture. The results all stem from the analysis of oscillations of coherent sequences {e_i : i < omega_1} of finite-to-one functions. I expect that the methods presented will have other applications as well.
Anti-androgenic effects of flavonols in prostate cancer

Dietary-derived agents, such as the flavonoids, are of particular interest for prostate cancer (PCa) chemoprevention as they may offer a favourable safety and side-effect profile. An agent that demonstrates action on the androgen receptor (AR) axis may have value for preventing or treating castrate-resistant PCa. Four main flavonols – quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol, and fisetin – have been demonstrated in laboratory studies to have chemopreventive action in both castrate-resistant and castrate-sensitive PCa models. Mechanisms of flavonol action on the AR axis in PCa have been proposed to be inhibition of the 5α-reductase enzymes, direct androgen competition, suppression of the AR complex and transactivation by coregulators such as c-Jun, Sp1, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. It is, however, still unclear with current levels of evidence whether AR axis-mediated effects can fully account for the flavonols’ chemopreventive action.
'Ultimate' information content in solar and stellar spectra: Photospheric line asymmetries and wavelength shifts

Context. Spectral-line asymmetries (displayed as bisectors) and wavelength shifts are signatures of the hydrodynamics in solar and stellar atmospheres. Theory may precisely predict idealized lines, but accuracies in real observed spectra are limited by blends, few suitable lines, imprecise laboratory wavelengths, and instrumental imperfections. Aims. We extract bisectors and shifts until the “ultimate” accuracy limits in highest-quality solar and stellar spectra, so as to understand the various limits set by (i) stellar physics (number of relevant spectral lines, effects of blends, rotational line broadening); by (ii) observational techniques (spectral resolution, photometric noise); and by (iii) limitations in laboratory data. Methods. Several spectral atlases of the Sun and bright solar-type stars were examined for those thousands of “unblended” lines with the most accurate laboratory wavelengths, yielding bisectors and shifts as averages over groups of similar lines. Representative data were obtained as averages over groups of similar lines, thus minimizing the effects of photometric noise and of random blends. Results. For the solar-disk center and integrated sunlight, the bisector shapes and shifts were extracted for previously little-studied species (Fe ii ,T ii ,T iii ,C rii ,C ai ,C i), using recently determined and very accurate laboratory wavelengths. In Procyon and other F-type stars, a sharp blueward bend in the bisector near the spectral continuum is confirmed, revealing line saturation and damping wings in upward-moving photospheric granules. Accuracy limits are discussed: “astrophysical” noise due to few measurable lines, finite instrumental resolution, superposed telluric absorption, inaccurate laboratory wavelengths, and calibration noise in spectrometers, together limiting absolute lineshift studies to ≈50−100 m s −1 . Conclusions. Spectroscopy with resolutions λ/Δλ ≈ 300 000 and accurate wavelength calibration will enable bisector studies for many stars. Circumventing remaining limits of astrophysical noise in line-blends and rotationally smeared profiles may ultimately require spectroscopy across spatially resolved stellar disks, utilizing optical interferometers and extremely large telescopes of the future.
Factors Limiting the Establishment of a Chaparral Oak, Quercus durata Jeps., in Grassland

2 Abstract: We studied factors that restrict colonization of grassland by Quercus durata Jeps. , an oak commonly found in chaparral on serpentine soils. The study site contained a chap- arral/grassland border that had been stable for at least 50 years. Monitoring of acorns planted in the chaparral understory and grassland revealed that, although initial seedling emergence was similar in the different sites, seedling survival was much higher in the chaparral. No seedling in the open grassland survived beyond the third year of the study, while 25 percent in the chaparral understory were still alive at the end of 6 years. The differences in survival could not be explained by differences in animal activity and herbivory. Rather, the high solar radiation load on seedlings in the grassland appeared to play a major role in mortality. Experimental shading of seedlings in the grassland with light shade cloth increased seedling survival.
Who Should Be Screened for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis? Experience From the Western New York Stroke Screening Program

Objective. Identification of significant asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS) is important because of the stroke‐risk reduction observed with carotid endarterectomy. The authors developed and validated a simple scoring system based on routinely available information to identify persons at high risk for ACAS using data collected during a community health screening program at various sites in western New York. A total of 1331 unselected volunteers without previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, or carotid artery surgery were evaluated by personal interview and duplex ultrasound. The main outcome measure was carotid artery stenosis >60% by duplex ultrasound. In the derivation set (n= 887), 4 variables were significantly associated with ACAS >60%: age >65 years (odds ratio [OR] = 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.6–6.7), current smoking (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2–3.5), coronary artery disease (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.5–3.9), and hypercholesterolemia (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.2–2.9). Three risk groups (low, intermediate, and high) were defined on the basis of total risk score assigned on the basis of the strength of association. The scheme effectively stratified the validation set (n= 444); the likelihood ratio and posttest probability for ACAS in the high‐risk group were 3.0 and 35%, respectively, and in the intermediate and low‐risk groups were 1.4 and 20% and 0.4 and 7%, respectively. Routinely available information can be used to identify persons in the community at high risk for ACAS. Doppler ultrasound screening in this subgroup may prove to be cost‐effective and have an effect on stroke‐free survival.
Inferior frontal gyrus preserves working memory and emotional learning under conditions of impaired noradrenergic signaling

Compensation has been widely applied to explain neuroimaging findings in neuropsychiatric patients. Functional compensation is often invoked when patients display equal performance and increased neural activity in comparison to healthy controls. According to the compensatory hypothesis increased activity allows the brain to maintain cognitive performance despite underlying neuropathological changes. Due to methodological and pathology-related issues, however, the functional relevance of the increased activity and the specific brain regions involved in the compensatory response remain unclear. An experimental approach that allows a transient induction of compensatory responses in the healthy brain could help to overcome these issues. To this end we used the non-selective beta-blocker propranolol to pharmacologically induce sub-optimal noradrenergic signaling in healthy participants. In two independent functional MRI (fMRI) experiments participants received either placebo or propranolol before they underwent a cognitive challenge (Experiment 1: working memory; Experiment 2: emotional learning: Pavlovian fear conditioning). In Experiment 1 propranolol had no effects on working memory performance, but evoked stronger activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG). In Experiment 2 propranolol produced no effects on emotional memory formation, but evoked stronger activity in the right IFG. The present finding that sub-optimal beta-adrenergic signaling did not disrupt performance and concomitantly increased IFG activity is consistent with, and extends, current perspectives on functional compensation. Together, our findings suggest that under conditions of impaired noradrenergic signaling, heightened activity in brain regions located within the cognitive control network, particularly the IFG, may reflect compensatory operations subserving the maintenance of behavioral performance.