Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Conditions and Consequences of Listening Well for Interpersonal Relationships: Modeling Active-Empathic Listening, Social-Emotional Skills, Trait Mindfulness, and Relational Quality

In an attempt to better understand the nature and effects of listening well in relationships, participants (N = 137) in romantic relationships completed assessments of active-empathic listening (AEL), social-emotional skills, trait mindfulness, and relational quality (i.e., satisfaction and commitment). Based on previous research, we offered two models: In one, we argued that social-emotional skill, mediated by mindfulness, would predict self-reports of AEL; in the other, we hypothesized that AEL, mediated by social-emotional skill and trait mindfulness, would predict relational quality. We found some support for both models. Specifically, our analyses revealed that mindfulness positively mediated the relationship between one social skill, social expressivity, and AEL. In addition, a negative mediating relationship emerged between a second social skill (social sensitivity), mindfulness, and AEL. Our results also showed mindfulness mediating the relationship between the processing aspect of AEL and relational satisfaction.
Mindfulness-Based Interventions for People Diagnosed with a Current Episode of an Anxiety or Depressive Disorder: A Meta-Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Objective Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can reduce risk of depressive relapse for people with a history of recurrent depression who are currently well. However, the cognitive, affective and motivational features of depression and anxiety might render MBIs ineffective for people experiencing current symptoms. This paper presents a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of MBIs where participants met diagnostic criteria for a current episode of an anxiety or depressive disorder. Method Post-intervention between-group Hedges g effect sizes were calculated using a random effects model. Moderator analyses of primary diagnosis, intervention type and control condition were conducted and publication bias was assessed. Results Twelve studies met inclusion criteria (n = 578). There were significant post-intervention between-group benefits of MBIs relative to control conditions on primary symptom severity (Hedges g = −0.59, 95% CI = −0.12 to −1.06). Effects were demonstrated for depressive symptom severity (Hedges g = −0.73, 95% CI = −0.09 to −1.36), but not for anxiety symptom severity (Hedges g = −0.55, 95% CI = 0.09 to −1.18), for RCTs with an inactive control (Hedges g = −1.03, 95% CI = −0.40 to −1.66), but not where there was an active control (Hedges g = 0.03, 95% CI = 0.54 to −0.48) and effects were found for MBCT (Hedges g = −0.39, 95% CI = −0.15 to −0.63) but not for MBSR (Hedges g = −0.75, 95% CI = 0.31 to −1.81). Conclusions This is the first meta-analysis of RCTs of MBIs where all studies included only participants who were diagnosed with a current episode of a depressive or anxiety disorder. Effects of MBIs on primary symptom severity were found for people with a current depressive disorder and it is recommended that MBIs might be considered as an intervention for this population.
Finite Temperature Closed Superstring Theory: Infrared Stability and a Minimum Temperature

We show that in the absence of gauge fields supersymmetric flat space is an unstable ground state of the weakly coupled ten-dimensional IIA and IIB string theories under an infinitesimal change in the background temperature. We will require the absence of tachyonic modes in the spectrum of a stable thermal string ensemble. Our starting point is a normalized and modular invariant closed string effective action functional on which we impose the appropriate T-duality relation in Euclidean time. We find that the thermal IIA string undergoes a continuous phase transition into the thermal IIB string at the Hagedorn temperature βH=2π(2α ′)1/2 with an exponentially rising density of states but finite free energy. As in the thermal bosonic string the Hagedorn point is found to coincide with the self-dual Kosterlitz-Thouless (KT) point of an appropriate ĉ=1 super-orbifold with interval length βC=πα ′1/2 for Euclidean time. We show that in the absence of Ramond-Ramond fluxes the thermal spectrum of both IIA and IIB ensembles contains low temperature tachyons below a string-scale minimum temperature Tmin=(2/3)2 TC at which the leading tachyonic momentum mode turns massless. The 10D heterotic superstrings have nonabelian gauge fields and in the presence of a temperature dependent Wilson line background are found to share a stable and tachyon-free ground state at all temperatures starting from zero with gauge group SO(16)×SO(16). The one-loop contribution to the heterotic Gibbs effective action functional is finite at all temperatures including the Hagedorn point. The thermodynamic potentials satisfy an infinite hierarchy of duality relations characteristic of the K-T transition which follow from the analyticity of the Gibbs functional as a function of background temperature in perturbative string theory. Our results point to the necessity of gauge fields in a viable weakly coupled superstring theory. shyamoli@phys.psu. edu
Epistemic and Psychological Benefits of Depression

In this thesis I propose a new way of understanding depressive illness as not exclusively harmful, but as related to particular, empirically evidenced, epistemic and pragmatic benefits for the subject, alongside the associated costs. For each of the benefits considered, I provide and concisely analyse the empirical evidence both in its favour and against it, suggest ways in which these benefits could apply in the circumstances presented, discuss some outstanding problems for that application as stated, and describe potential implications. The issues discussed involve topics in cognitive psychology as well as in ethics, which I regard as complementary to the debate. I take the view that depression related phenomena such as low mood, low self-esteem, and mood-congruent delusions offer potential benefits to a subject under certain circumstances, but not under others. In discussing the hypotheses presented, I argue for a more complex view of depression, which includes its potential epistemic and pragmatic benefits as well as its costs and I propose possible directions for future research.
VGLUT2 in dopamine neurons is required for psychostimulant-induced behavioral activation

The “One neuron-one neurotransmitter” concept has been challenged frequently during the last three decades, and the coexistence of neurotransmitters in individual neurons is now regarded as a common phenomenon. The functional significance of neurotransmitter coexistence is, however, less well understood. Several studies have shown that a subpopulation of dopamine (DA) neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) expresses the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) and has been suggested to use glutamate as a cotransmitter. The VTA dopamine neurons project to limbic structures including the nucleus accumbens, and are involved in mediating the motivational and locomotor activating effects of psychostimulants. To determine the functional role of glutamate cotransmission by these neurons, we deleted VGLUT2 in DA neurons by using a conditional gene-targeting approach in mice. A DAT-Cre/Vglut2Lox mouse line (Vglut2f/f;DAT-Cre mice) was produced and analyzed by in vivo amperometry as well as by several behavioral paradigms. Although basal motor function was normal in the Vglut2f/f;DAT-Cre mice, their risk-taking behavior was altered. Interestingly, in both home-cage and novel environments, the gene targeted mice showed a greatly blunted locomotor response to the psychostimulant amphetamine, which acts via the midbrain DA system. Our results show that VGLUT2 expression in DA neurons is required for normal emotional reactivity as well as for psychostimulant-mediated behavioral activation.
Sensorless Control of Electric Motors with Kalman Filters: Applications to Robotic and Industrial Systems

The paper studies sensorless control for DC and induction motors, using Kalman Filtering techniques. First the case of a DC motor is considered and Kalman Filter-based control is implemented. Next the nonlinear model of a field-oriented induction motor is examined and the motor's angular velocity is estimated by an Extended Kalman Filter which processes measurements of the rotor's angle. Sensorless control of the induction motor is again implemented through feedback of the estimated state vector. Additionally, a state estimation-based control loop is implemented using the Unscented Kalman Filter. Moreover, state estimation-based control is developed for the induction motor model using a nonlinear flatness-based controller and the state estimation that is provided by the Extended Kalman Filter. Unlike field oriented control, in the latter approach there is no assumption about decoupling between the rotor speed dynamics and the magnetic flux dynamics. The efficiency of the Kalman Filter-based control schemes, for both the DC and induction motor models, is evaluated through simulation experiments.
Surface Interactions with Compartmentalized Cellular Phosphates Explain Rare Earth Oxide Nanoparticle Hazard and Provide Opportunities for Safer Design

Growing international exploitation of rare earth oxides (REOs) for commercial and biological use has increased the possibility of human exposure and adverse health effects. Occupational exposure to rare earth materials in miners and polishers leads to a severe form of pneumoconiosis, while gadolinium-containing MRI contrast agents cause nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with renal impairment. The mechanisms for inducing these adverse pro-fibrogenic effects are of considerable importance for the safety assessment of REO particles as well as presenting opportunities for safer design. In this study, using a well-prepared REO library, we obtained a mechanistic understanding of how REOs induce cellular and pulmonary damage by a compartmentalized intracellular biotransformation process in lysosomes that results in pro-fibrogenic growth factor production and lung fibrosis. We demonstrate that rare earth oxide ion shedding in acidifying macrophage lysosomes leads to biotic phosphate complexation that results in organelle damage due to stripping of phosphates from the surrounding lipid bilayer. This results in nanoparticle biotransformation into urchin shaped structures and setting in motion a series of events that trigger NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1β release, TGF-β1 and PDGF-AA production. However, pretreatment of REO nanoparticles with phosphate in a neutral pH environment prevents biological transformation and pro-fibrogenic effects. This can be used as a safer design principle for producing rare earth nanoparticles for biological use.
Renewed optimism and spatial mobility: Legal consciousness of Latino Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients and their families in Los Angeles

In 2012, President Obama signed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive action that provided deportation relief, a temporary work permit, and driver licenses for almost 800,000 undocumented immigrants who grew up in the US. Drawing on 100 in-depth interviews in Los Angeles, this article documents DACA’s consequences for the legal consciousness of DACA recipients and their families in the period of 2013–2016. Although the Trump Administration chose to phase out the program in 2017, evidence shows that DACA temporarily benefited families in seemingly mundane but cumulative and powerful ways. State-issued IDs and work permits led to many more opportunities to achieve their goals, experience spatial mobility, and establish greater family independence through interdependence. Together, and even though DACA targeted only single members of families, these experiences shifted entire families’ legal consciousness toward a stronger sense of pride and belonging in the United States.
Multiparameter fiber-optic sensors: a review

Abstract. Needs for sensor miniaturization, versatile sensing solutions, and improved measurements’ performances in difficult operating environments have recently driven considerable research in optical fiber sensor for multiparameter measurements. Multiparameter sensors not only enable new sensors’ functionalities, but can also improve achievable measurement performances for some frequently measured parameters considerably. This study provides a review of work in the field of miniature fiber-optic sensors that allows independent and simultaneous measurements of two or more different physical or chemical parameters. Sensor designs and corresponding signal processing schemes are reviewed and compared.
Safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in HIV-infected individuals

Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial opportunistic infection in HIV-infected individuals. Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) of HIV-infected individuals reduces their risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), however, it remains 20- to 40-fold greater compared with age-matched general population. This review summarizes the available published data on the immunogenicity, safety and efficacy of pneumococcal polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines (PCV) in HIV-infected children and adults. Several studies have demonstrated that PCV are safe in the HIV-infected persons. Although PCV are immunogenic in HIV-infected infants, the antibodies produced are functionally impaired, there is possibly a lack or loss of anamnestic responses and immunity declines in later life However, quantitative and qualitative antibody responses to PCV in HIV-infected infants are enhanced when vaccination occurs whilst on ART, as well as if vaccination occurs when the CD4+ cell percentage is ≥ 25% and if the nadir CD4+ is >15%. Although the efficacy of PCV was lower, the vaccine preventable burden of hospitalization for IPD and clinical pneumonia were 18-fold and 9-fold greater, respectively, in HIV-infected children compared with –uninfected children. In HIV-infected adults, PCV vaccination induces more durable and functional antibody responses in individuals on ART at the time of vaccination than in ART-naive adults, independently of baseline CD4+ cell count, although there does not appear to be much benefit from a second-dose of PCV. PCV has also been shown to reduce the risk of recurrent IPD by 74% in HIV-infected adults not on ART, albeit, also with subsequent decline in immunity and protection.
Cultivating Social Resources on Social Network Sites: Facebook Relationship Maintenance Behaviors and Their Role in Social Capital Processes

This study explores the relationship between perceived bridging social capital and specific Facebook-enabled communication behaviors using survey data from a sample of U.S. adults N=614. We explore the role of a specific set of Facebook behaviors that support relationship maintenance and assess the extent to which demographic variables, time on site, total and "actual" Facebook Friends, and this new measure Facebook Relationship Maintenance Behaviors predict bridging social capital. Drawing upon scholarship on social capital and relationship maintenance, we discuss the role of social grooming and attention-signaling activities in shaping perceived access to resources in one's network as measured by bridging social capital.
A Comparative Study on the Relationship between Residential Density and Vehicular Energy Use in Florida

High population, vehicles, and employment and high energy use could generate congestion that has been considered as a result from diseconomies of agglomeration. However, congestion and energy use problem could be mitigated in a compact city due to shorter commuting distance, efficient vehicular operation, etc. US government and local state governments have been trying to redirect its energy use to address congestion and vehicular energy use. Household vehicle use, and fuel consumption, and VMT have primarily have been considered as main factors of vehicular emission. This paper analyzes NHTS 2001 combined with EIA augmentation data and Census data and to identify relationship between energy use by car and greenhouse gas emission, in particular, related to residential density. Major factors and variables are considered: VMT, vehicular energy use, urban density factor, household’s socioeconomic factor, household’s demographic factor. Two MSAs in Florida such as Miami, and Orlando are compared based upon the factors. This paper uses econometric methodology such as SEM (Structural Equation Model) to see complicated and causal relationship among variables. The results show that Miami is more energy efficient than Orlando because of less VMT and energy use per household unit. Furthermore, more vehicles, more drivers, more incomes, and more workers means high VMT and high energy use, which implies that they are more sprawl. To deal with this problem, impact fee might be one of the solutions.
Vitamin D, Insulin Secretion, Sensitivity, and Lipids

OBJECTIVE Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an unfavorable metabolic profile in observational studies. The intention was to compare insulin sensitivity (the primary end point) and secretion and lipids in subjects with low and high serum 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) levels and to assess the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the same outcomes among the participants with low serum 25(OH)D levels. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants were recruited from a population-based study (the Tromsø Study) based on their serum 25(OH)D measurements. A 3-h hyperglycemic clamp was performed, and the participants with low serum 25(OH)D levels were thereafter randomized to receive capsules of 20,000 IU vitamin D3 or identical-looking placebo twice weekly for 6 months. A final hyperglycemic clamp was then performed. RESULTS The 52 participants with high serum 25(OH)D levels (85.6 ± 13.5 nmol/L [mean ± SD]) had significantly higher insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and lower HbA1c and triglycerides (TGs) than the 108 participants with low serum 25(OH)D (40.3 ± 12.8 nmol/L), but the differences in ISI and TGs were not significant after adjustments. After supplementation, serum 25(OH)D was 142.7 ± 25.7 and 42.9 ± 17.3 nmol/L in 49 of 51 completing participants randomized to vitamin D and 45 of 53 randomized to placebo, respectively. At the end of the study, there were no statistically significant differences in the outcome variables between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Vitamin D supplementation to apparently healthy subjects with insufficient serum 25(OH)D levels does not improve insulin sensitivity or secretion or serum lipid profile.
Frontal plane hip and ankle sensorimotor function, not age, predicts unipedal stance time

Introduction: Changes occur in muscles and nerves with aging. In this study we explore the relationship between unipedal stance time (UST) and frontal plane hip and ankle sensorimotor function in subjects with diabetic neuropathy. Methods: UST, quantitative measures of frontal plane ankle proprioceptive thresholds, and ankle and hip motor function were tested in 41 subjects with a spectrum of lower limb sensorimotor function ranging from healthy to moderately severe diabetic neuropathy. Results: Frontal plane hip and ankle sensorimotor function demonstrated significant relationships with UST. Multivariate analysis identified only composite hip strength, ankle proprioceptive threshold, and age to be significant predictors of UST (R2 = 0.73), explaining 46%, 24%, and 3% of the variance, respectively. Conclusions: Frontal plane hip strength was the single best predictor of UST and appeared to compensate for less precise ankle proprioceptive thresholds. This finding is clinically relevant given the possibility of strengthening the hip, even in patients with significant peripheral neuropathy. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Ghrelin and leptin modulate the feeding behaviour of the hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata during nesting season

Female sea turtles rarely have been observed foraging during the nesting season. We investigated the levels of ghrelin, leptin and other physiological and nutritional parameters in nesting hawksbill sea turtles in Brazil. We found that levels of serum leptin (appetite-suppressing protein) decreased over the nesting season, while an increasing trend was observed in ghrelin (hunger-stimulating peptide). Both findings are consistent with the prediction that post-nesting females will begin to forage after the nesting season, , either during or just after their post-nesting migration.
SPARC16: A New Compression Approach for the SPARC Architecture

RISC processors can be used to face the ever increasing demand for performance required by embedded systems. Nevertheless, this solution comes with the cost of poor code density. Alternative encodings for instruction sets, such as MIPS16 and Thumb, represent an effective approach to deal with this drawback. This article proposes to apply a new encoding to the SPARCv8 architecture. Through extensive analysis of a program mix from the Mibench and Mediabench benchmark suites, we suggest a new 16-bit instruction set, easily translated to its 32-bit counterpart during execution time. Using the aforementioned program mix to infer how code could be represented in the proposed 16-bit ISA, compression ratios as low as 56% can be obtained. We also evaluated the cache behavior and showed reductions of 42% on cache misses that can increase performance up to 28% (for patricia program with 2KB cache).
SUBGROUPS OF FREE TOPOLOGICAL GROUPS AND FREE TOPOLOGICAL PRODUCTS OF TOPOLOGICAL GROUPS

Introduction Our objectives are topological versions of the Nielsen-Schreier Theorem on subgroups of free groups, and the Kurosh Theorem on subgroups of free products of groups. It is known that subgroups of free topological groups need not be free topological [2, 6, and 9]. However we might expect a subgroup theorem when a continuous Schreier transversal exists, and we give such a result in the category of Hausdorff /<Vgroups (Theorem 8). In the same category, we give an open subgroup version of the Kurosh Theorem (Theorem 13). The method of proof in both cases is a topological version of the groupoid method given by Higgins in [8]—that is, we use topological groupoids. The key steps are first of all to construct universal morphisms of topological groupoids, and secondly to prove that the pull-back by a covering morphism of a universal morphism is again universal. For the second step it is essential to know that the pullback of quotient maps of topological groupoids is again a quotient, and to obtain this we work in the category of Hausdorff /^-spaces. The chief technical work is then in constructing universal morphisms in this category—the results on /r^-spaces needed are Propositions A1-A3 which are given in the Appendix. This restriction to ^-spaces means that our theorems specialise only to countable versions of the abstract theorems. More general results can be given by using kgroupoids, but the proofs involve extra technicalities, and so we refer the interested reader to [7]. The authors wish to thank P. J. Higgins and P. Nickolas for helpful comments.