Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atopic dermatitis is more severe in children over the age of two who have an increased body mass index

Childhood obesity increases the risk of developing atopic dermatitis, but no objective measuring tool has been used to determine whether it also affects the severity. Our aim was to determine whether an association existed between increased body mass index (BMI) or weight for length and severity of atopic dermatitis, as measured by the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index.
Pre- and post-contact policy decomposition for planar contact manipulation under uncertainty

We consider the problem of using real-time feedback from contact sensors to create closed-loop pushing actions. To do so, we formulate the problem as a partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) with a transition model based on a physics simulator and a reward function that drives the robot towards a successful grasp. We demonstrate that it is intractable to solve the full POMDP with traditional techniques and introduce a novel decomposition of the policy into pre- and post-contact stages to reduce the computational complexity. Our method uses an offline point-based solver on a variable-resolution discretization of the state space to solve for a post-contact policy as a pre-computation step. Then, at runtime, we use an A* search to compute a pre-contact trajectory. We prove that the value of the resulting policy is within a bound of the value of the optimal policy and give intuition about when it performs well. Additionally, we show the policy produced by our algorithm achieves a successful grasp more quickly and with higher probability than a baseline QMDP policy on two different objects in simulation. Finally, we validate our simulation results on a real robot using commercially available tactile sensors.
Understanding the cognitive processes associated with sexual fantasies: towards a dual process model

This thesis proposes a theoretical model of sexual thoughts and fantasies; the Dual-Process of Sexual Thinking (DPM-ST). In brief, the DPM-ST argues that associative processes generate spontaneous sexual thoughts, whereas controlled processes underlie the act of sexual fantasising. The empirical chapters aimed to empirically test some of the DPM-ST's main assumptions using offender and non-offender samples. In Chapter 3, support was found for the hypothesis that child abusers hold distorted sex-related associations. The results of Chapter 4 supported the idea that the use of deviant sexual fantasies is more likely if individuals have a greater proclivity to fantasise and hold explicit attitudes related to the deviant sexual fantasy. Chapter 5 supported the hypothesis that sexual fantasising is a controlled process requiring working memory resources. The results of Chapter 6 did not support the hypothesis that sexually fantasising about dominance activates 'self-powerful' associations. In Chapter 7, the results supported the hypothesis that abusers who repeatedly use sexual fantasies about children hold a stronger association between 'children' and 'sexual fantasy'. Finally, Chapter 8 concluded the thesis by discussing the findings in terms of their theoretical and clinical implications. The limitations of the thesis are also outlined, along with various ideas for future research.
Simultaneous recording of receptor current and intraciliary Ca2+ concentration in salamander olfactory receptor cells

1 The suction pipette technique was combined with laser spot fluorescence microscopy to record simultaneously odour‐induced current responses and intraciliary Ca2+ concentration from isolated salamander olfactory receptor cells loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo‐3. 2 When exposed for 1 s to increasing odour concentrations both the suction pipette current and fluo‐3 fluorescence increased dynamically, rising with a similar time course. Thereafter, the fluorescence signal decayed more slowly, outlasting the current response by 0.56 ± 0.12 s. 3 The fluo‐3 fluorescence evoked by progressively increasing odour concentrations varied in an approximately linear manner with the magnitude of the suction pipette current. 4 Prolonged odour stimulation evoked synchronous oscillations in both suction pipette current and intraciliary calcium concentration with a mean period of 4.5 ± 0.3 s. 5 When external Na+ was omitted from the stimulating solution the oscillation period for both the current and fluorescence signals was lengthened by a factor of 1.9 ± 0.2 in comparison with the oscillation period when stimulated in Ringer solution. 6 These results support the currently accepted mechanism for Ca2+ homeostasis within the olfactory cilia, and are consistent with the notion that the oscillations induced by prolonged odour exposure represent the coupled oscillation of Ca2+ and cyclic nucleotide concentrations.
The contextual interference effect in visual feature binding: What does it say about the role of attention in binding?

The effects of blocked versus mixed presentation were tested on visual feature binding, assuming that blocked presentation enhances focused attention, whilst mixed presentation recruits extra attentional resources for intratrial as well as intertrial processing. The contextual interference effect suggests that although performance due to mixed presentation is either similar or worse than blocked presentation when tested immediately, it is better when tested after an interval. We explored whether this robust empirical effect, common in psychomotor performance, would be evident in visual feature binding. Stimuli were conjunctions of shape, colour, and location. Study–test intervals from 0 to 2,500 ms were used with a swap detection task. In Experiments 1A and 1B, participants ignored locations to detect shape–colour bindings. In Experiments 2A and 2B, they ignored shapes to detect colour–location binding. In Experiments 3A and 3B, they ignored colours to detect shape–location bindings. Whilst Experiments 1A, 2A, and 3A used blocked presentation, Experiments 1B, 2B, and 3B used mixed presentation of study–test intervals. The results of these experiments and a replication experiment using a within-subjects design showed that the contextual interference effect appeared when spatial attention was engaged, but not when attention was object based.
Tissue-specific Inhibition of Apolipoprotein B mRNA Editing in the Liver by Adenovirus-mediated Transfer of a Dominant Negative Mutant APOBEC-1 Leads to Increased Low Density Lipoprotein in Mice*

APOBEC-1 is a catalytic subunit of an apolipoprotein B (apoB) mRNA editing enzyme complex. In humans it is expressed only in the intestine, whereas in mice it is expressed in both the liver and intestine. APOBEC-1 exists as a spontaneous homodimer (Lau, P. P., Zhu, H.-J., Baldini, A., Charnsangavej, C., and Chan, L. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 8522-8526). We tested the editing activity and dimerization potential of three different mouse APOBEC-1 mutants using in vitro editing activity assay and immunoprecipitation in the presence of epitope-tagged APOBEC-1. One catalytically inactive mutant, mu1 (H61K/C93S/C96S), that retains its capacity to dimerize with wild-type APOBEC-1 was found to inhibit the editing activity of the latter and was thus a dominant negative mutant. Two other inactive mutants that dimerized poorly with APOBEC-1 failed to inhibit its activity. Intravenous injection of a mu1 adenovirus, Admu1, in C57BL/6J mice in vivo resulted in liver-specific expression of mu1 mRNA. On days 4 and 9 after virus injection, endogenous hepatic apoB mRNA editing was 23.3 ± 5.0 and 36.8 ± 5.7%, respectively, compared with 65.3 ± 11 and 71.3 ± 5.2%, respectively, for luciferase adenovirus-treated animals. Plasma apoB-100 accounted for 95 and 93% of total plasma apoB in Admu1 animals on days 4 and 9, respectively, compared with 78 and 72% in luciferase adenovirus animals. Plasma cholesterol on day 9 was 98 ± 17 mg/dl in the mu1-treated animals, substantially higher than phosphate-buffered saline-treated (57 ± 9 mg/dl) or luciferase-treated (71 ± 12 mg/dl) controls. Fast protein liquid chromatography analysis of mouse plasma showed that the intermediate density/low density lipoprotein fractions in the animals treated with the dominant negative mutant adenovirus were much higher than those in controls. We conclude that active APOBEC-1 functions as a dimer and its activity is inhibited by a dominant negative mutant. Furthermore, apoB mRNA editing determines the availability of apoB-100, which in turn limits the amount of intermediate density/low density lipoprotein that can be formed in mice. Liver-specific inhibition of apoB mRNA editing is an important component of any strategy to enhance the value of mice as a model for human lipoprotein metabolism.
Sgt1p Contributes to Cyclic AMP Pathway Activity and Physically Interacts with the Adenylyl Cyclase Cyr1p/Cdc35p in Budding Yeast

ABSTRACT Sgt1p is a highly conserved eucaryotic protein that is required for both SCF (Skp1p/Cdc53p-Cullin-F-box)-mediated ubiquitination and kinetochore function in yeast. We show here that Sgt1p is also involved in the cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. SGT1 is an allele-specific suppressor of cdc35-1, a thermosensitive mutation in the leucine-rich repeat domain of the adenylyl cyclase Cyr1p/Cdc35p. We demonstrate that Sgt1p and Cyr1p/Cdc35p physically interact and that the activity of the cAMP pathway is affected in an sgt1 conditional mutant. Sequence analysis suggests that Sgt1p has features of a cochaperone. Thus, Sgt1p is a novel activator of adenylyl cyclase in S. cerevisiae and may function in the assembly or the conformational activation of specific multiprotein complexes.
Endogenous ApoE Expression Modulates Adipocyte Triglyceride Content and Turnover

Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is highly expressed in adipose tissue and adipocytes in which its expression is regulated by peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR)-γ agonists and tumor necrosis factor–α. There is, however, no information regarding a role for endogenous apoE in differentiated adipocyte function. In this report, we define a novel role for apoE in modulating adipocyte lipid metabolism. ApoE−/− mice have less body fat and smaller adipocytes compared with wild-type controls. Freshly isolated adipose tissue from apoE−/− mice contains lower levels of triglyceride and free fatty acid, and these differences are maintained in cultured adipocytes derived from preadipocytes. Adenoviral expression of apoE in apoE−/−-cultured adipocytes increases triglyceride and fatty acid content. During incubation with apoE-containing triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, apoE−/− adipose tissue accumulates less triglyceride than wild type. The absence of apoE expression in primary cultured adipocytes also leads to changes in the expression of genes involved in the metabolism/turnover of fatty acids and the triglyceride droplet. Markers of adipocyte differentiation were lower in freshly isolated and cultured apoE−/− adipocytes. Importantly, PPAR-γ–mediated changes in lipid content and gene expression are markedly altered in cultured apoE−/− adipocytes. These results establish a novel role for endogenous apoE in adipocyte lipid metabolism and have implications for constructing an integrated model of adipocyte physiology in health and disease.
Racial identification modulates default network activity for same and other races

Racial identification shapes self‐concept and how people share in and respond to the emotional states of others around them. Prior neuroimaging studies have demonstrated the role of the neural default network in self‐referential and empathic processing. However, how racial identification affects neural processing of social information remains unknown. Here, we examined the effect of racial identification on neural response related to social perception among African American and Caucasian American individuals using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Our results demonstrate that degree of racial identification predicts activity within cortical midline structures of the default network in response to viewing racial ingroup, relative to outgroup members, and activity within the medial temporal lobe subsystem of the default network in response to viewing racial outgroup, relative to ingroup members. Broadly, our findings suggest that the strength of racial identification is associated with differential recruitment of neural and cognitive processes to understand and respond to other people within and outside of one's racial group. Hum Brain Mapp, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Engineering Biocatalysts for Production of Commodity Chemicals

Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive alternate to petroleum for production of both fuels and commodity chemicals. This conversion of biomass would require a new generation of microbial biocatalysts that can convert all the sugars present in the biomass to the desired compounds. In this review, the critical factors that need to be considered in engineering such microbial biocatalysts for cost-effective fermentation of sugars are discussed with specific emphasis on commodity chemicals such as lactic acid, succinic acid and acetic acid.
Social Cognition: New Insights from Affordance and Simon Effects

The perspective of the present project can be inscribed in the so-called “Social Cognition” framework, that in the last years moved from a focus on the individual mind toward embodied and participatory aspects of social understanding. Among the topics relevant for social cognition, the aim of the thesis was to shed more light on motor resonance and joint action, by using two well-known effects of cognitive psychology: “Affordance” and “Simon”. In the first part of the project, the Affordance effect has been considered, starting from Gibson to some post-Gibsonian theorizations. Particular attention has received the notion of “Micro-affordance”. The theoretical and empirical overview allows to understand how it can be possible to use the affordance effect to investigate the issue of motor resonance. A first study employed a priming paradigm and explored both in adults and school-age children the influence of a micro-affordance that can be defined dangerousness, and how motor resonance develops. The second part of the thesis focused on the Simon effect, starting with the presentation of the “stimulus–response (S–R) compatibility effect” to introduce the “Simon effect”. Particular attention has been dedicated to recent studies on the “joint Simon effect”. The reviewed empirical findings have been discussed in a wider theoretical perspective on joint action. The second study was aimed at investigating whether shared representations, as indexed by the presence of the joint Simon effect, are modulated by minimal ingroup–outgroup distinctions and by experienced interdependence between participants. The third study explored to what extent prior experience could modulate performance in task sharing, combining two paradigms of cognitive psychology, the joint Simon and the joint transfer-of-learning. In a general discussion the results obtained in the three studies have been summarized, emphasizing their original contribution and their importance within the Social Cognition research.
Enhancing the Impact of Behavioural Family Intervention With Children: Emerging Perspectives

Behavioural family intervention (BFI) as a treatment approach emphasises the importance of family interaction patterns in the origins, maintenance, and treatment of child behaviour problems. The BFI Field can document substantial contributions to the development of more effective treatments with children, particularly those with conduct problems. Furthermore, this approach is now being applied to new areas with encouraging results (eg. pain, chronic health problems, anxiety disorders, and learning difficulties). There is increasing evidence that this technology is not a panacea and that good clinical outcomes can be difficult to achieve when children's problems are complicated by other indices of family adversity (eg. marital discord, maternal depression, alcohol abuse, or poverty). This special issue of Behaviour Change documents recent developments in BFI which attempt to improve outcomes with high risk groups. Applications of BFI with depressed and marital distressed parents and with children who are developmentally disabled, anxious, or have learning difficulties, are discussed. Finally, the issue points towards the use of BFI as a strategy for preventing disruptive behavioural disorders in children.
Structure and Kinematics of the Interstellar Medium in Front of SN 1987A

High-resolution (10 km s-1) [N II] echelle spectra, sampled every 13'' in a 6′×6′ region around SN 1987A were obtained on the CTIO 4 m telescope. The map shows a complicated velocity structure consistent with that reported previously for the interstellar medium (ISM). Three components, Vhel=265, 277, and 285 km s-1 were identified as N157C (or the R1170 complex: see an earlier paper of Xu, Crotts, & Kunkel). The radius of this large superbubble was found to expand at 10 km s-1, with a lifetime of 6×106 yr and a total energy of 3×1051 ergs determined from its radius and velocity according to superbubble theory. The Vhel=235 km s−1 component corresponds to the near side of the 600 pc giant superbubble reported earlier. This bubble is over 107 years old, and has blown out of the Large Magellanic Cloud disk. Two other components, Vhel=255 and 245 km s-1 are identified as the inner major light echo ring (a double-shell structure) at about 130 pc in front of SN 1987A. There are also two high-velocity components, 300 and 313 km s-1, which are possibly the far side of a superbubble in which SN 1987A exploded. We also noticed that there are two components, at 279 and 301 km s-1, within 20'' of SN 1987A. These structures are probably due to the emission from the progenitor star's red supergiant wind. We find that the time it took the SN 1987A progenitor to move to the current location 300 pc behind N157C is comparable to the age of N157C as well as that of the progenitor itself.
The DSM-5 Dimensional Trait Model and the Five Factor Model

OF THESIS THE DSM-5 DIMENSIONAL TRAIT MODEL AND THE FIVE FACTOR MODEL The current thesis tests empirically the relationship of the dimensional trait model proposed for the fifth edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders with five-factor models (FFM) of personality disorder (PD). The DSM-5 Personality and Personality Disorders Work Group proposes to diagnose the disorders largely in terms of a 25 trait dimensional model organized within five broad domains (i.e., negative affectivity, detachment, antagonism, disinhibition, and psychoticism). Consistent with the authors of DSM-5, it was predicted that negative affectivity would align with FFM neuroticism, detachment with FFM introversion, antagonism with FFM antagonism, disinhibition with low FFM conscientiousness and, contrary to the authors of DSM-5, psychoticism would align with FFM openness. Suggested changes in trait placements according to FFM of PD research were also tested. Four measures of five factor models of general personality were administered to 445 undergraduates along with the Personality Inventory for DSM-5. The results of the present study provided support for the hypothesis that all five domains of the DSM-5 dimensional trait model are maladaptive variants of general personality structure, including the domain of psychoticism; however, the findings provided mixed support for suggested trait placement changes in the DSM-5 model.
Periodontal ligament influence on the stress distribution in a removable partial denture supported by implant: a finite element analysis

ABSTRACT Objective The non-homogenous aspect of periodontal ligament (PDL) has been examined using finite element analysis (FEA) to better simulate PDL behavior. The aim of this study was to assess, by 2-D FEA, the influence of non-homogenous PDL on the stress distribution when the free-end saddle removable partial denture (RPD) is partially supported by an osseointegrated implant. Material and Methods Six finite element (FE) models of a partially edentulous mandible were created to represent two types of PDL (non-homogenous and homogenous) and two types of RPD (conventional RPD, supported by tooth and fibromucosa; and modified RPD, supported by tooth and implant [10.00x3.75 mm]). Two additional FE models without RPD were used as control models. The non-homogenous PDL was modeled using beam elements to simulate the crest, horizontal, oblique and apical fibers. The load (50 N) was applied in each cusp simultaneously. Regarding boundary conditions the border of alveolar ridge was fixed along the x axis. The FE software (Ansys 10.0) was used to compute the stress fields, and the von Mises stress criterion (σvM) was applied to analyze the results. Results The peak of σvM in non-homogenous PDL was higher than that for the homogenous condition. The benefits of implants were enhanced for the non-homogenous PDL condition, with drastic σvM reduction on the posterior half of the alveolar ridge. The implant did not reduce the stress on the support tooth for both PDL conditions. Conclusion The PDL modeled in the non-homogeneous form increased the benefits of the osseointegrated implant in comparison with the homogeneous condition. Using the non-homogenous PDL, the presence of osseointegrated implant did not reduce the stress on the supporting tooth.
Long-term effects of a progressive and specific balance-training programme with multi-task exercises for older adults with osteoporosis: a randomized controlled study

Objective: To evaluate long-term effects of balance-training on concerns about falling, gait, balance performance, and physical function in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling. Design: Randomized controlled trial, including three groups (training, training+physical activity, and control group), with follow-ups at three, nine, and 15 months. Short-term, three-month follow-up, benefits for those who fulfilled the first follow-up (n = 69) have previously been reported. Setting: Stockholm, Sweden. Participants: A total of 96 elderly, age 66–87, with verified osteoporosis. Interventions: Balance-training programme including dual- and multitasks, with or without supplementary physical activity, three times/week over 12 weeks. Measurements: Concerns about falling Falls Efficacy Scale -International (FES-I), walking at preferred speed with and without a cognitive dual-task and at fast speed, balance tests (one-leg stance and modified figure-of-eight), and physical function Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI). Results: Participants in the training group maintained positive effects throughout the study period for concerns about falling (baseline vs. 15 months, median 27.5 vs. 23 points, p < 0.001) and walking performance (baseline vs. 15 months, p ⩽ 0.05 with an improvement of 0.9–1.4 m/s). The Training+physical activity group declined to baseline values at the nine-month follow-up, and were even lower at the 15-month follow-up for concerns about falling (median 26 vs. 26 points), walking performance (changes of −0.02 to 0.04 m/s), and physical function (mean 44.0 vs. 42.9 points). The control group remained unchanged throughout the study period. Conclusions: This balance-training programme reduced concerns about falling, and also improved gait in older adults with osteoporosis and increased risk of falling in a long-term perspective – important issues for fall prevention.
Polypoid changes of the middle turbinate as an indicator of atopic disease

High levels of local immunoglobulin E (IgE) have been demonstrated in nasal polypoid tissue; however, an association between nasal polyps and allergy has not been proven. The authors have observed that polypoid edema isolated to the leading edge of the middle turbinate (MT) is highly associated with allergic rhinitis. The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between isolated MT polyps and inhalant allergy.