Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The emotion dysregulation inventory: Psychometric properties and item response theory calibration in an autism spectrum disorder sample

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present with prominent emotion dysregulation that requires treatment but can be difficult to measure. The Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) was created using methods developed by the Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) to capture observable indicators of poor emotion regulation. Caregivers of 1,755 youth with ASD completed 66 candidate EDI items, and the final 30 items were selected based on classical test theory and item response theory (IRT) analyses. The analyses identified two factors: (a) Reactivity, characterized by intense, rapidly escalating, sustained, and poorly regulated negative emotional reactions, and (b) Dysphoria, characterized by anhedonia, sadness, and nervousness. The final items did not show differential item functioning (DIF) based on gender, age, intellectual ability, or verbal ability. Because the final items were calibrated using IRT, even a small number of items offers high precision, minimizing respondent burden. IRT co‐calibration of the EDI with related measures demonstrated its superiority in assessing the severity of emotion dysregulation with as few as seven items. Validity of the EDI was supported by expert review, its association with related constructs (e.g., anxiety and depression symptoms, aggression), higher scores in psychiatric inpatients with ASD compared to a community ASD sample, and demonstration of test‐retest stability and sensitivity to change. In sum, the EDI provides an efficient and sensitive method to measure emotion dysregulation for clinical assessment, monitoring, and research in youth with ASD of any level of cognitive or verbal ability. Autism Res 2018, 11: 928–941. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Left Frontal Hub Connectivity during Memory Performance Supports Reserve in Aging and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Reserve in aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is defined as maintaining cognition at a relatively high level in the presence of neurodegeneration, an ability often associated with higher education among other life factors. Recent evidence suggests that higher resting-state functional connectivity within the frontoparietal control network, specifically the left frontal cortex (LFC) hub, contributes to higher reserve. Following up these previous resting-state fMRI findings, we probed memory-task related functional connectivity of the LFC hub as a neural substrate of reserve. In elderly controls (CN, n = 37) and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 17), we assessed global connectivity of the LFC hub during successful face-name association learning, using generalized psychophysiological interaction analyses. Reserve was quantified as residualized memory performance, accounted for gender and proxies of neurodegeneration (age, hippocampus atrophy, and APOE genotype). We found that greater education was associated with higher LFC-connectivity in both CN and MCI during successful memory. Furthermore, higher LFC-connectivity predicted higher residualized memory (i.e., reserve). These results suggest that higher LFC-connectivity contributes to reserve in both healthy and pathological aging.
Microbial Groundwater Quality Status of Hand-Dug Wells and Boreholes in the Dodowa Area of Ghana

To assess the suitability of water sources for drinking purposes, samples were taken from groundwater sources (boreholes and hand-dug wells) used for drinking water in the Dodowa area of Ghana. The samples were analyzed for the presence of fecal indicator bacteria (Escherichia coli) and viruses (Adenovirus and Rotavirus), using membrane filtration with plating and glass wool filtration with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. In addition, sanitary inspection of surroundings of the sources was conducted to identify their vulnerability to pollution. The presence of viruses was also assessed in water samples from the Dodowa River. More than 70% of the hand-dug wells were sited within 10 m of nearby sources of contamination. All sources contained E. coli bacteria, and their numbers in samples of water between dug wells and boreholes showed no significant difference (p = 0.48). Quantitative PCR results for Adenovirus indicated 27% and 55% were positive for the boreholes and hand-dug wells, respectively. Samples from all boreholes tested negative for the presence of Rotavirus while 27% of the dug wells were positive for Rotavirus. PCR tests of 20% of groundwater samples were inhibited. Based on these results we concluded that there is systemic microbial and fecal contamination of groundwater in the area. On-site sanitation facilities, e.g., pit latrines and unlined wastewater drains, are likely the most common sources of fecal contamination of groundwater in the area. Water abstracted from groundwater sources needs to be treated before use for consumption purposes. In addition, efforts should be made to delineate protected areas around groundwater abstraction points to minimize contamination from point sources of pollution.
Reply to “epidemiology of autoimmune versus infectious encephalitis”

We read with great interest the recent study on autoimmune encephalitis (AE) epidemiology published by Dubey and colleagues in Annals of Neurology. The authors conclude that the prevalence and incidence of AE are comparable to those of infectious encephalitis. So far, very few population-based studies have been conducted on this topic, and this is the first study adopting the new clinical criteria for AE proposed in 2016. The emerging role of autoimmune etiologies demonstrated in this study is consistent with previous data from the California Encephalitis Project, where autoimmune N-methyl-Daspartate receptor encephalitis was found to be more frequent than individual viral etiologies in young individuals. We commend the authors for addressing a very relevant topic and bring an issue to their attention. The 2016 criteria for AE were designed by a panel of experts to speed immunotherapy initiation. Antibody (Ab) testing was not required for the diagnosis of AE, because many institutions have no neuroimmunology laboratory, and definite results can be obtained only after several weeks. Therefore, these criteria rely on clinical features and paraclinical investigations (brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid analysis) rather than on Ab status. Adopting the 2016 criteria, some patients clinically diagnosed with “probable” or even “definite” AE may actually have a different final diagnosis, such as infectious or neoplastic diseases. Dubey and coworkers have compared the total number of patients fulfilling the 2016 criteria (either Ab-positive or Abnegative) with the number of infectious cases, but in the latter group only patients with a confirmed infectious pathogen were considered. An extensive autoimmune screening was adopted, allowing comprehensive analysis and reanalysis of samples, whereas infectious disease testing was less comprehensive (each subject was tested for “1 or more” infectious agents) and several uncommon infectious pathogens were not sought. To avoid or minimize this risk of bias, clinical criteria should have been used for both conditions, although the differential diagnosis between AE and infectious encephalitis is challenged by the overlap in many clinical diagnostic criteria. Alternatively (and preferably), only Ab-positive and pathogen-positive patients should have been compared. Further prospective studies are required to draw definite conclusions on the epidemiology of autoimmune versus infectious encephalitis. Potential Conflicts of Interest Nothing to report.
False feedback and beliefs influence name recall in younger and older adults

ABSTRACT Feedback is an important self-regulatory process that affects task effort and subsequent performance. Benefits of positive feedback for list recall have been explored in research on goals and feedback, but the effect of negative feedback on memory has rarely been studied. The current research extends knowledge of memory and feedback effects by investigating face–name association memory and by examining the potential mediation of feedback effects, in younger and older adults, through self-evaluative beliefs. Beliefs were assessed before and after name recognition and name recall testing. Repeated presentation of false positive feedback was compared to false negative feedback and a no feedback condition. Results showed that memory self-efficacy declined over time for participants in the negative and no feedback conditions but was sustained for those receiving positive feedback. Furthermore, participants who received negative feedback felt older after testing than before testing. For name recall, the positive feedback group outperformed the negative feedback and no feedback groups combined, with no age interactions. The observed feedback-related effects on memory were fully mediated by changes in memory self-efficacy. These findings advance our understanding of how beliefs are related to feedback in memory and inform future studies examining the importance of self-regulation in memory.
A Spatial Panel Data Analysis of Economic Growth, Urbanization, and NOx Emissions in China

Is nitrogen oxides emissions spatially correlated in a Chinese context? What is the relationship between nitrogen oxides emission levels and fast-growing economy/urbanization? More importantly, what environmental preservation and economic developing policies should China’s central and local governments take to mitigate the overall nitrogen oxides emissions and prevent severe air pollution at the provincial level in specific locations and their neighboring areas? The present study aims to tackle these issues. This is the first research that simultaneously studies the nexus between nitrogen oxides emissions and economic development/urbanization, with the application of a spatial panel data technique. Our empirical findings suggest that spatial dependence of nitrogen oxides emissions distribution exists at the provincial level. Through the investigation of the existence of an environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) embedded within the Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology (STIRPAT) framework, we conclude something interesting: an inverse N-shaped EKC describes both the income-nitrogen oxides nexus and the urbanization-nitrogen oxides nexus. Some well-directed policy advice is provided to reduce nitrogen oxides in the future. Moreover, these results contribute to the literature on development and pollution.
ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SOME PLANT EXTRACTS AND THE INHIBITION EFFECT ON BACTERIAL CELLS USING TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

The present study was performed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of water, ethanol or chloroform extracts of Zingiber officinale , Ocimum basilicum leaves and flowers and Taraxacum officinale leaves and roots. These extracts were tested in vitro against bacteria (Escherichia coli, CGSC1885, Escherichia coli, CGSC2463 and Bacillus megaterium), fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus nigricans) and Candida albicans by disc diffusion method. The effect of extracts on bacteria was studied using transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that Zingiber officinale, Ocimum basilicum flowers extracts (water, ethanol, and chloroform), exhibited an antimicrobial activity against the tested bacterial species. While the ethanol extract of Ocimum basilicum leaves and chloroform extract of Taraxacum officinale leaves and roots exhibited antimicrobial activity against Bacillus megaterium only. On the other hand, all extracts of the used plants being had no effect on Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus nigricans, and Candida albicans. The cells of the bacteria, treated and untreated with the plants extracts, were examined by transmission electron microscope(TEM), it was observed that the size and ultrastructure of the treated cells by Zingiber officinale and Ocimum basilicum flowers extracts were affected compared with the control treatment. The ethanol and water extracts of Zingiber officinale and Ocimum basilicum flowers extracts (ethanol, water, and chloroform) degraded the cell wall, plasma cell membrane disintegrate and the cytoplasme leaches out of the cell. The results of the phytochemical studied revealed the presence of polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids in water, ethanol, or chloroform extracts of Zingiber officinale and Ocimum basilicum flowers extract in water and the concentration of this compounds differ according to the the solvnt.
European Private Equity Funds - a Cash Flow Based Performance Analysis

This paper presents a cash flow based analysis of the return and risk characteristics of European Private Equity Funds. For that purpose a comprehensive data set has been provided by Thomson Venture Economics. We document the typical time pattern of cash flows for European private equity funds. Specifically, it is recorded that the average European private equity fund draws down 23% of total committed capital on the vintage date; within the first three years 60% of the total commitment is draw down. It turned out that limited partners on average get back the money invested slightly after 7 years. Over the time period from 1980 to June 2003, we calculate various performance measures. For that purpose we use only liquidated funds or funds with a small residual net asset value. Under this restriction one specific data set consists of 200 funds. We document a cash flow based IRR of 12.7% and an average excess-IRR of 4.5% relative to the MSCI Europe equity index. In order to circumvent the problems associated with the IRR-approach we focus on the alternative public market equivalent approach. There it is assumed that cash flows generated by a private equity fund are reinvested in a public market benchmark index. We record an average PME of 0.96 and a value-weighted average PME of 1.04. Based on the PME-approach we develop a viable methodology to estimate the return and risk characteristics of European private equity funds and the correlation structure to public markets. As a benchmark index we used the MSCI Europe Equity Index as well as the J.P.Morgan Government Bond Index. Over the period 1980-2003 private equity funds generated an overperformance with respect to the bond index and two of our three samples an underperformance with respect to the equity index. Over the period 1989-2003 private equity funds generated an overperformance with respect to both indexes. Finally, we analyze to what extent performance measures are associated with specific funds characteristics, like size, payback period and vintage year, respectively. While the payback period and the vintage year seem to have a statistically significant influence on a fund's performance, the results with respect to size are inconclusive.
High Genetic Diversity of Newcastle Disease Virus in Wild and Domestic Birds in Northeastern China from 2013 to 2015 Reveals Potential Epidemic Trends

ABSTRACT Newcastle disease (ND), caused by the virulent Newcastle disease virus (NDV), is one of the most important viral diseases of birds globally, but little is currently known regarding enzootic trends of NDV in northeastern China, especially for class I viruses. Thus, we performed a surveillance study for NDV in northeastern China from 2013 to 2015. A total 755 samples from wild and domestic birds in wetlands and live bird markets (LBMs) were collected, and 10 isolates of NDV were identified. Genetic and phylogenetic analyses showed that five isolates from LBMs belong to class I subgenotype 1b, two (one from wild birds and one from LBMs) belong to the vaccine-like class II genotype II, and three (all from wild birds) belong to class II subgenotype Ib. Interestingly, the five class I isolates had epidemiological connections with viruses from southern, eastern, and southeastern China. Our findings, together with recent prevalence trends of class I and virulent class II NDV in China, suggest possible virus transmission between wild and domestic birds and the potential for an NDV epidemic in the future.
Analytical Methods for the Determination of Rosuvastatin in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Biological Fluids: A Critical Review

ABSTRACT Rosuvastatin calcium (ROS), (Figure 1) belongs to the “statins” group, which is the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor. This drug is indicated for dyslipidemias treatment and can help to decrease the level of “bad cholesterol” and can consequently reduce the development of atherosclerosis and the risk of heart diseases. ROS was developed by Astra-Zeneca and it was approved in 2003 by the FDA in the United States. In 2015, under the trade name Crestor®, it was the fourth largest selling drug in the United States with sales above $5 billion. This study presents a literature review of analytical methods for the quantification of ROS in pharmaceutical preparations and biological fluids. The major analytical methods described in this study for ROS were spectrophotometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to ultraviolet (UV) detection, and tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).
Feasibility and acceptability of text messaging to assess daily substance use and sexual behaviors among urban emerging adults

Abstract Background: Daily process research can help distinguish causal relationships between substance use and sexual risk behaviors in high-risk groups, such as urban emerging adults. We employed text messaging to assess 18–25 year-olds’ daily substance use and sexual risk behaviors over 28 days. We describe the implementation of this method, attitudes regarding the daily surveys, and correlates of survey completion. Method: We recruited 111 emerging adults from an urban Emergency Department in a resource-limited area who reported recent drug use and unprotected sex (Mage=22.0; 53.2% female; 45.1% African American; 43.2% receiving public assistance). Results: Respondents completed M = 18.0 (SD = 8.7) of 28 daily surveys (27 items each). Participants completing a 1-month follow-up found the surveys not at all/only a little annoying (90.3%) and were comfortable with questions about drugs/alcohol (97.9%) and sex (94.6%). Completion was higher on weekdays versus weekends, and earlier in the study. Daily survey completion was unrelated to same-day substance use measured by the Timeline Follow Back at follow-up; polysubstance use and drinks consumed were associated with lower odds of next-day completion. School enrollment, public assistance, unlimited texting plan, lower baseline alcohol use, and depression symptoms at follow-up were associated with higher completion. Technology difficulties were commonly mentioned barriers to completion. Conclusions: Participants in this urban, resource-constrained sample found the daily text message methodology acceptable for reporting sensitive information. With rapid advancements in technologies and increased accessibility, text messaging remains a promising methodology for the study of daily processes in substance use and HIV risk behaviors.
Numerical solution of optimal control problems with explicit and implicit switches

In this article, we present a unified framework for the numerical solution of optimal control problems (OCPs) constrained by ordinary differential equations with both implicit and explicit switches. We present the problem class and qualify different types of implicitly switched systems. This classification significantly affects opportunities for solving such problems numerically. By using techniques from generalized disjunctive programming, we transform the problem into a counterpart one wherein discontinuities no longer appear implicitly. Instead, the new problem contains discrete decision variables and vanishing constraints. Recent results from the field of mixed-integer optimal control theory enable us to omit integrality constraints on variables, and allow to solve a relaxed OCP. We use a ‘first discretize, then optimize’ approach to solve the problem numerically. A direct method based on adaptive collocation is used for the discretization. The resulting finite dimensional optimization problems are mathematical programs with vanishing constraints, and we discuss numerical techniques to solve sequences of this challenging problem class. To demonstrate the efficacy and merit of our proposed approach, we investigate three benchmark problems for hybrid dynamic systems.
Associations between vitamin D levels and polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes.

BACKGROUND Studies comparing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have produced inconsistent results. Additionally, no previous studies have evaluated associations between vitamin D and specific PCOS phenotypes. METHODS This case-control study was conducted among women undergoing intrauterine insemination. Cases (N.=137) were diagnosed with PCOS and then further classified into 3 diagnostic phenotypes based on combinations of the Rotterdam criteria (ovulatory dysfunction+polycystic ovaries [N.=55]; ovulatory dysfunction +androgen excess [N.=15]; and ovulatory dysfunction, +polycystic ovaries, +androgen excess [N.=67]). Controls (N.=103) were ovulatory women without PCOS who were undergoing IUI. Serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were categorized as deficient (≤20 ng/mL), insufficient (21-29 ng/mL), and sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Prevalence odds ratios (PORs) were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS A higher proportion (59.9%) of PCOS cases lacked sufficient vitamin D levels compared to controls (47.6%; P value=0.06). The odds of vitamin D deficiency in all PCOS cases were twice that of controls (POR=2.03, 95% CI 0.97-4.26); however, the association was attenuated after adjusting for Body Mass Index (BMI) and race/ethnicity (adjPOR=1.43, 95% CI 0.62, 3.26). When examining PCOS phenotypes exhibiting androgen excess, crude associations were observed for deficient vitamin D levels (unadjPOR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.27, 6.77); however, the association decreased after adjustment for BMI and race/ethnicity (adjPOR=2.03, 95% CI: 0.79, 5.19). CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D deficiency occurred more frequently in PCOS cases with androgen excess, but associations were attenuated after adjusting for BMI and race/ethnicity. Combining etiologically distinct PCOS subgroups may obscure associations with lower vitamin D levels and other potential risk factors.