Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interferon-α induces negative biases in emotional processing in patients with hepatitis C virus infection: a preliminary study

Background Treatment of medical patients with the inflammatory cytokine, interferon-α (IFN-α), is frequently associated with the development of clinical depressive symptomatology. Several important biological correlates of the effect of IFN-α on mood have been described, but the neuropsychological changes associated with IFN-α treatment are largely unexplored. The aim of the present preliminary study was to assess the effect of IFN-α on measures of emotional processing. Method We measured changes in emotional processing over 6–8 weeks in 17 patients receiving IFN-α as part of their treatment for hepatitis C virus infection. Emotional processing tasks included those which have previously been shown to be sensitive to the effects of depression and antidepressant treatment, namely facial expression recognition, emotional categorisation and the dot probe attentional task. Results Following IFN-α, patients were more accurate at detecting facial expressions of disgust; they also showed diminished attentional vigilance to happy faces. IFN-α produced the expected increases in scores on depression rating scales, but there was no correlation between these scores and the changes in emotional processing. Conclusions Our preliminary findings suggest that IFN-α treatment produces negative biases in emotional processing, and this effect is not simply a consequence of depression. It is possible that increased recognition of disgust may represent a neuropsychological marker of depressive disorders related to inflammation.
Dengue Virus Activates the AMP Kinase-mTOR Axis To Stimulate a Proviral Lipophagy

ABSTRACT Robust dengue virus (DENV) replication requires lipophagy, a selective autophagy that targets lipid droplets. The autophagic mobilization of lipids leads to increased β-oxidation in DENV-infected cells. The mechanism by which DENV induces lipophagy is unknown. Here, we show that infection with DENV activates the metabolic regulator 5′ adenosine-monophosphate activated kinase (AMPK), and that the silencing or pharmacological inhibition of AMPK activity decreases DENV replication and the induction of lipophagy. The activity of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) decreases in DENV-infected cells and is inversely correlated with lipophagy induction. Constitutive activation of mTORC1 by depletion of tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) inhibits lipophagy induction in DENV-infected cells and decreases viral replication. While AMPK normally stimulates TSC2-dependent inactivation of mTORC1 signaling, mTORC1 inactivation is independent of AMPK activation during DENV infection. Thus, DENV stimulates and requires AMPK signaling as well as AMPK-independent suppression of mTORC1 activity for proviral lipophagy. IMPORTANCE Dengue virus alters host cell lipid metabolism to promote its infection. One mechanism for altered metabolism is the induction of a selective autophagy that targets lipid droplets, termed lipophagy. Lipophagy mobilizes lipid stores, resulting in enhanced β-oxidation and viral replication. We show here that DENV infection activates and requires the central metabolic regulator AMPK for its replication and the induction of lipophagy. This is required for the induction of lipophagy, but not basal autophagy, in DENV-infected cells.
GRP78 Is an Important Host Factor for Japanese Encephalitis Virus Entry and Replication in Mammalian Cells

ABSTRACT Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, is the leading cause of viral encephalitis in Southeast Asia with potential to become a global pathogen. Here, we identify glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) as an important host protein for virus entry and replication. Using the plasma membrane fractions from mouse neuronal (Neuro2a) cells, mass spectroscopy analysis identified GRP78 as a protein interacting with recombinant JEV envelope protein domain III. GRP78 was found to be expressed on the plasma membranes of Neuro2a cells, mouse primary neurons, and human epithelial Huh-7 cells. Antibodies against GRP78 significantly inhibited JEV entry in all three cell types, suggesting an important role of the protein in virus entry. Depletion of GRP78 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) significantly blocked JEV entry into Neuro2a cells, further supporting its role in virus uptake. Immunofluorescence studies showed extensive colocalization of GRP78 with JEV envelope protein in virus-infected cells. This interaction was also confirmed by immunoprecipitation studies. Additionally, GRP78 was shown to have an important role in JEV replication, as treatment of cells post-virus entry with subtilase cytotoxin that specifically cleaved GRP78 led to a substantial reduction in viral RNA replication and protein synthesis, resulting in significantly reduced extracellular virus titers. Our results indicate that GRP78, an endoplasmic reticulum chaperon of the HSP70 family, is a novel host factor involved at multiple steps of the JEV life cycle and could be a potential therapeutic target. IMPORTANCE Recent years have seen a rapid spread of mosquito-borne diseases caused by flaviviruses. The flavivirus family includes West Nile, dengue, Japanese encephalitis, and Zika viruses, which are major threats to public health with potential to become global pathogens. JEV is the major cause of viral encephalitis in several parts of Southeast Asia, affecting a predominantly pediatric population with a high mortality rate. This study is focused on identification of crucial host factors that could be targeted to cripple virus infection and ultimately lead to development of effective antivirals. We have identified a cellular protein, GRP78, that plays a dual role in virus entry and virus replication, two crucial steps of the virus life cycle, and thus is a novel host factor that could be a potential therapeutic target.
Reflections on Positive Emotions and Upward Spirals

We reflect on our 2002 article and the impact this research report has had both within and beyond psychological science. This article was both one of the first publications to provide empirical support for hypotheses based on the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions and a product of the genesis of positive psychology. We highlight empirical and theoretical advancements in the scientific understanding of upward spiral dynamics associated with positive emotions, with particular focus on the new upward spiral theory of lifestyle change. We conclude by encouraging deeper and more rigorous tests of the prospective and reciprocal relations associated with positive emotions. Such progress is needed to better inform translations and applications to improve people’s health and well-being.
Methanolobus psychrotolerans sp. nov., a psychrotolerant methanoarchaeon isolated from a saline meromictic lake in Siberia.

A psychrotolerant, methylotrophic methanogen, strain YSF-03T, was isolated from the saline meromictic Lake Shira in Siberia. Cells of strain YSF-03T were non-motile, irregular cocci and 0.8-1.2 µm in diameter. The methanogenic substrates utilized by strain YSF-03T were methanol and trimethylamine. The temperature range of growth for strain YSF-03T was from 0 to 37 °C. The optimum growth conditions were 30-37 °C, pH 7.0-7.4 and 0.17 M NaCl. The G+C content of the genome of strain YSF-03T was 41.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain YSF-03T was most closely related to Methanolobus profundi MobMT (98.15 % similarity in 16S rRNA gene sequence). Genome relatedness between strain YSF-03T and MobMT was computed using the Genome-to-Genome Distance Calculator and average nucleotide identity, which gave values of 23.5 and 79.3 %, respectively. Based on the morphological, phenotypic, phylogenetic and genomic relatedness data presented here, it is evident that strain YSF-03T represents a novel species of the genus Methanolobus, for which the name Methanolobus psychrotolerans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YSF-03T (=BCRC AR10049T=DSM 104044T=NBRC 112514T).
LEAD ACCUMULATION IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF OKRA PLANT (Abelmoschus esculentus)

This paper presents experimental result of lead (Pb) affect on okra growth, yield and accumulation in different parts of plant. Results show that Pb concentrations in soil in the range of 16.13 ppm - 350 ppm positively affect okra plant height, yield constituents and yield. Concentration of Pb in roots leaves and fresh fruit of okra plant was in proportion to the concentration of Pb in soil. Lead was accumulated mainly in the roots of the okra plant, then in leaves and fruits. Especially, the concentrations of Pb in fresh okra fruits (eatable part) were lower than allowable limits. The okra plants can be used as multi-purpose trees for Gray Soil with Pb concentrations below 210 ppm.
Community detection in large‐scale networks: a survey and empirical evaluation

Community detection is a common problem in graph data analytics that consists of finding groups of densely connected nodes with few connections to nodes outside of the group. In particular, identifying communities in large‐scale networks is an important task in many scientific domains. In this review, we evaluated eight state‐of‐the‐art and five traditional algorithms for overlapping and disjoint community detection on large‐scale real‐world networks with known ground‐truth communities. These 13 algorithms were empirically compared using goodness metrics that measure the structural properties of the identified communities, as well as performance metrics that evaluate these communities against the ground‐truth. Our results show that these two types of metrics are not equivalent. That is, an algorithm may perform well in terms of goodness metrics, but poorly in terms of performance metrics, or vice versa. WIREs Comput Stat 2014, 6:426–439. doi: 10.1002/wics.1319
On the Testable Implications of Causal Models with Hidden Variables

The validity of a causal model can be tested only if the model imposes constraints on the probability distribution that governs the generated data. In the presence of unmeasured variables, causal models may impose two types of constraints: conditional independencies, as read through the d-separation criterion, and functional constraints, for which no general criterion is available. This paper offers a systematic way of identifying functional constraints and, thus, facilitates the task of testing causal models as well as inferring such models from data.
The Development of Academic Self-Efficacy Scale for Filipino Junior High School Students

Primarily the research is focused on the development and validation of the Academic Self-efficacy Scale (ASES-FJHS) for Filipino junior high school students. Self-efficacy refers to people’s beliefs in their capabilities to produce certain effects and to learn or perform behaviors at designated levels (Bandura, 2012; Bandura, 2006). In relation to test construction, most of the developed self-efficacy scale focuses on one source of self-efficacy and are constructed as subscale. Given the limited published academic self-efficacy scale for Filipino junior high school students as well as the non-existence of published and established academic self-efficacy scale in Philippine context, this study sought to develop and validate a self-efficacy scale that is more holistic than those previously published. The design of the research is Test Development and anchored on Classical Test Theory. Respondents comprise of 4,759 junior high school students from selected 20 public and private schools in Nueva Ecija, Philippines. The study followed the two stages of test development, i.e. the development of the initial, preliminary and final forms and validation of the scale. The items were developed through consultation with experts and literature reviews. After the development of table of specification, items were validated by four expert judges. Results showed using Lawshe CVR (CVI=.87) and Intra Class Correlation (ICC(2,4)=. 953, a=. 000) that the expert validators have high agreement on the items of ASES. Moreover, UL-LL method (d=.43), Cronbach alpha (.95), split half method (Spearman-Brown Coefficient=.86) and item to total correlation, and Principal Component Analysis were also utilized to test the reliability of test items. The factor structure verified the four iterations which includes Perceived Control (PC), Competence (C), Persistence (P) and Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) domains. Convergent (r = .498; p < .05) and concurrent validity (r = .518; p < .01) that were employed suggest that the ASES is a valid measure. The Final Form validated consists of 62 items. Results of the study revealed that the ASES for K to 12 junior high school students is a reliable and valid measure of Academic Self-efficacy.
A Multi-user virtual environment for building higher order inquiry skills in science

This study investigated novel pedagogies for helping teachers infuse inquiry into a standards-based science curriculum. Using a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) as a pedagogical vehicle, teams of middle school students collaboratively solved problems around disease in a virtual town called River City. Students interacted with “avatars” of other students, digital artifacts
Manipulation of ionized impurity scattering for achieving high thermoelectric performance in n-type Mg3Sb2-based materials

Significance Higher carrier mobility can contribute to a larger power factor, so it is important to identify effective means for achieving higher carrier mobility. Since carrier mobility is governed by the band structure and the carrier scattering mechanism, its possible enhancement could be obtained by manipulating either or both of these. Here, we report a substantial enhancement in carrier mobility by tuning the carrier scattering mechanism in n-type Mg3Sb2-based materials. The ionized impurity scattering in these materials has been shifted into mixed scattering by acoustic phonons and ionized impurities. Our results clearly demonstrate that the strategy of tuning the carrier scattering mechanism is quite effective for improving the mobility and should also be applicable to other material systems. Achieving higher carrier mobility plays a pivotal role for obtaining potentially high thermoelectric performance. In principle, the carrier mobility is governed by the band structure as well as by the carrier scattering mechanism. Here, we demonstrate that by manipulating the carrier scattering mechanism in n-type Mg3Sb2-based materials, a substantial improvement in carrier mobility, and hence the power factor, can be achieved. In this work, Fe, Co, Hf, and Ta are doped on the Mg site of Mg3.2Sb1. 5Bi0.49Te0.01, where the ionized impurity scattering crosses over to mixed ionized impurity and acoustic phonon scattering. A significant improvement in Hall mobility from ∼16 to ∼81 cm2⋅V−1⋅s−1 is obtained, thus leading to a notably enhanced power factor of ∼13 μW⋅cm−1⋅K−2 from ∼5 μW⋅cm−1⋅K−2. A simultaneous reduction in thermal conductivity is also achieved. Collectively, a figure of merit (ZT) of ∼1.7 is obtained at 773 K in Mg3.1Co0. 1Sb1.5Bi0.49Te0.01. The concept of manipulating the carrier scattering mechanism to improve the mobility should also be applicable to other material systems.
Amplitude- and Fluctuation-Based Dispersion Entropy

Dispersion entropy (DispEn) is a recently introduced entropy metric to quantify the uncertainty of time series. It is fast and, so far, it has demonstrated very good performance in the characterisation of time series. It includes a mapping step, but the effect of different mappings has not been studied yet. Here, we investigate the effect of linear and nonlinear mapping approaches in DispEn. We also inspect the sensitivity of different parameters of DispEn to noise. Moreover, we develop fluctuation-based DispEn (FDispEn) as a measure to deal with only the fluctuations of time series. Furthermore, the original and fluctuation-based forbidden dispersion patterns are introduced to discriminate deterministic from stochastic time series. Finally, we compare the performance of DispEn, FDispEn, permutation entropy, sample entropy, and Lempel–Ziv complexity on two physiological datasets. The results show that DispEn is the most consistent technique to distinguish various dynamics of the biomedical signals. Due to their advantages over existing entropy methods, DispEn and FDispEn are expected to be broadly used for the characterization of a wide variety of real-world time series. The MATLAB codes used in this paper are freely available at http://dx.doi. org/10.7488/ds/2326.
Stochastic Online Shortest Path Routing: The Value of Feedback

This paper studies online shortest path routing over multihop networks. Link costs or delays are time varying and modeled by independent and identically distributed random processes, whose parameters are initially unknown. The parameters, and hence the optimal path, can only be estimated by routing packets through the network and observing the realized delays. Our aim is to find a routing policy that minimizes the regret (the cumulative difference of expected delay) between the path chosen by the policy and the unknown optimal path. We formulate the problem as a combinatorial bandit optimization problem and consider several scenarios that differ in where routing decisions are made and in the information available when making the decisions. For each scenario, we derive a tight asymptotic lower bound on the regret that has to be satisfied by any online routing policy. Three algorithms, with a tradeoff between computational complexity and performance, are proposed. The regret upper bounds of these algorithms improve over those of the existing algorithms. We also assess numerically the performance of the proposed algorithms and compare it to that of existing algorithms.
Dynamics of White Matter Plasticity Underlying Working Memory Training: Multimodal Evidence from Diffusion MRI and Relaxometry

Adaptive working memory (WM) training may lead to cognitive benefits that are associated with white matter plasticity in parietofrontal networks, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We investigated white matter microstructural changes after adaptive WM training relative to a nonadaptive comparison group. Microstructural changes were studied in the superior longitudinal fasciculus, the main parietofrontal connection, and the cingulum bundle as a comparison pathway. MRI-based metrics were the myelin water fraction and longitudinal relaxation rate R1 from multicomponent relaxometry (captured with the mcDESPOT approach) as proxy metrics of myelin, the restricted volume fraction from the composite hindered and restricted model of diffusion as an estimate of axon morphology, and fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity from diffusion tensor imaging. PCA was used for dimensionality reduction. Adaptive training was associated with benefits in a “WM capacity” component and increases in a microstructural component (increases in R1, restricted volume fraction, fractional anisotropy, and reduced radial diffusivity) that predominantly loaded on changes in the right dorsolateral superior longitudinal fasciculus and the left parahippocampal cingulum. In contrast, nonadaptive comparison activities were associated with the opposite pattern of reductions in WM capacity and microstructure. No group differences were observed for the myelin water fraction metric suggesting that R1 was a more sensitive “myelin” index. These results demonstrate task complexity and location-specific white matter microstructural changes that are consistent with tissue alterations underlying myelination in response to training.
Neurofeedback Against Binge Eating: A Randomized Controlled Trial in a Female Subclinical Threshold Sample.

Brain-directed treatment techniques, such as neurofeedback, have recently been proposed as adjuncts in the treatment of eating disorders to improve therapeutic outcomes. In line with this recommendation, a cue exposure EEG-neurofeedback protocol was developed. The present study aimed at the evaluation of the specific efficacy of neurofeedback to reduce subjective binge eating in a female subthreshold sample. A total of 75 subjects were randomized to EEG-neurofeedback, mental imagery with a comparable treatment set-up or a waitlist group. At post-treatment, only EEG-neurofeedback led to a reduced frequency of binge eating (p = .015, g = 0.65). The effects remained stable to a 3-month follow-up. EEG-neurofeedback further showed particular beneficial effects on perceived stress and dietary self-efficacy. Differences in outcomes did not arise from divergent treatment expectations. Because EEG-neurofeedback showed a specific efficacy, it may be a promising brain-directed approach that should be tested as a treatment adjunct in clinical groups with binge eating. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Neural modulators of temperament

17 A relationship between dopamine and temperament has previously been described in 18 human cases of dopaminergic dysfunction. Adjustment in temperament prior to 19 disease manifestation can enable the early identification of individuals at risk of such 20 conditions, and scope exists to extend this application of temperament alterations to 21 cases of dopaminergic dysfunction in horses. A multivariate and mixed-methods approach utilising a questionnaire along with two inferred measurements of dopamine activity (Spontaneous Blink Rate [SBR] and Behavioral Initiation Rate [BIR]) were recorded from direct observation of animals (n=99) to identify the potential relationship 25 between dopamine and temperament in horses. Principal components analysis (PCA) 26 of 36 temperament variables revealed nine Principal Components, including ‘Anxiety’ 27 and ‘Docility’, which accounted for 72.4% of the total variance. Component scores were 28 calculated and correlated with SBR and BIR utilising Spearman Rank Correlation 29 Coefficient analysis. The component ‘Anxiety’ was found to have a significant positive 30 relationship with SBR, whereas ‘Docility’ was observed to have a significant negative 31 relationship with SBR. These results indicate a relationship between dopamine and 32 temperament within the horse that is certainly worthy of further study. Potential 33 mechanisms involving neural dopaminergic and GABAergic systems are presented, in 34 addition to how such alterations could be utilised to probe for equine dopamine 35 dysfunction pending future research.