Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Testing theoretical assumptions underlying the relation between anxiety, mind wandering, and task-switching: A diffusion model analysis.

Despite the well-documented negative effects of anxiety on task-switching (switch costs), few studies have directly tested major theoretical assumptions about (a) the specific processing component of task-switching that is impaired by anxiety, (b) anxious individuals' strategies during task-switching, and (c) the mediating role of mind wandering in the relation between anxiety and task-switching. We addressed these issues using a stochastic diffusion model analysis and novel thought-probe technique in the task-switching paradigm. Our results suggest that the locus of impaired switch costs under state anxiety lies in the efficiency of task-set reconfiguration and not in proactive interference processing. Moreover, state anxiety was associated with impaired mixing costs, which are another crucial index of task-switching. We found only partial evidence for anxious individuals' proneness to compensatory strategies during task-switching. However, no evidence was found for a mediating role of task-unrelated thoughts and a moderating role of working memory in the relation between anxiety and task-switching. Our findings elucidate theoretical assumptions underlying anxiety and cognitive functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Larger whole brain grey matter associated with long-term Sahaja Yoga Meditation: A detailed area by area comparison

Objectives Our previous study showed that long-term practitioners of Sahaja Yoga Meditation (SYM) had around 7% larger grey matter volume (GMV) in the whole brain compared with healthy controls; however, when testing individual regions, only 5 small brain areas were statistically different between groups. Under the hypothesis that those results were statistically conservative, with the same dataset, we investigated in more detail the regional differences in GMV associated with the practice of SYM, with a different statistical approach. Design Twenty-three experienced practitioners of SYM and 23 healthy non-meditators matched on age, sex and education level, were scanned using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their GMV were extracted and compared using Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM). Using a novel ad-hoc general linear model, statistical comparisons were made to observe if the GMV differences between meditators and controls were statistically significant. Results In the 16 lobe area subdivisions, GMV was statistically significantly different in 4 out of 16 areas: in right hemispheric temporal and frontal lobes, left frontal lobe and brainstem. In the 116 AAL area subdivisions, GMV difference was statistically significant in 11 areas. The GMV differences were statistically more significant in right hemispheric brain areas. Conclusions The study shows that long-term practice of SYM is associated with larger GMV overall, and with significant differences mainly in temporal and frontal areas of the right hemisphere and the brainstem. These neuroplastic changes may reflect emotional and attentional control mechanisms developed with SYM. On the other hand, our statistical ad-hoc method shows that there were more brain areas with statistical significance compared to the traditional methodology which we think is susceptible to conservative Type II errors.
Automatic Detection and Measurement of Spinous Process Curve on Clinical Ultrasound Spine Images

The ultrasound (US) imaging technique has been applied to scoliosis assessment, and the proxy Cobb angle can be acquired on the US coronal images. The spinous process angle (SPA) is a valuable parameter to indicate 3-D deformity of spine. However, the SPA cannot be measured on US images since the spinous process (SP) is merged in the soft tissue layer and impossible to be identified on the coronal view directly. A new method based on the gradient vector flow (GVF) snake model was proposed to automatically locate SP position on the US transverse images, and the density-based spatial clustering of application with noise (DBSCAN) was used to remove the outliers out of the detected location results. With marking the SP points on the US coronal image, the SP curve was interpolated and the SPA was measured. The algorithm was evaluated on 50 subjects with various severity of scoliosis, and two raters measured the SPA on both US images and radiographs manually. The mean absolute differences (MADs) of SPAs obtained from the two modalities were 3.4° ± 2.4° and 3.6° ± 2.8° for the two raters, respectively, which were less than the clinical acceptance error (5°), and the results reported a good linear correlation ( ${r} > 0.85$ ) between the US method and radiography. It indicates that the proposed method can be a promising approach for SPA measurement using the US imaging technique.
Effects of acute wearable resistance loading on overground running lower body kinematics

Field-based sports require athletes to run sub-maximally over significant distances, often while contending with dynamic perturbations to preferred coordination patterns. The ability to adapt movement to maintain performance under such perturbations appears to be trainable through exposure to task variability, which encourages movement variability. The aim of the present study was to investigate the extent to which various wearable resistance loading magnitudes alter coordination and induce movement variability during running. To investigate this, 14 participants (three female and 11 male) performed 10 sub-maximal velocity shuttle runs with either no weight, 1%, 3%, or 5% of body weight attached to the lower limbs. Sagittal plane lower limb joint kinematics from one complete stride cycle in each run were assessed using functional data analysis techniques, both across the participant group and within-individuals. At the group-level, decreases in ankle plantarflexion following toe-off were evident in the 3% and 5% conditions, while increased knee flexion occurred during weight acceptance in the 5% condition compared with unloaded running. At the individual-level, between-run joint angle profiles varied, with six participants exhibiting increased joint angle variability in one or more loading conditions compared with unloaded running. Loading of 5% decreased between-run ankle joint variability among two individuals, likely in accordance with the need to manage increased system load or the novelty of the task. In terms of joint coordination, the most considerable alterations to coordination occurred in the 5% loading condition at the hip-knee joint pair, however, only a minority of participants exhibited this tendency. Coaches should prescribe wearable resistance individually to perturb preferred coordination patterns and encourage movement variability without loading to the extent that movement options become limited.
The effectiveness and acceptability of empirically supported treatments in gender minority youth across four randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE Gender minority youth (i.e., children/adolescents whose gender identity and/or expression is inconsistent with their birth-assigned sex) experience elevated rates of emotional and behavioral problems relative to cisgender youth (who identify with their birth-assigned sex), which are not intrinsic to gender identity but attributable to unique minority stressors. Although empirically supported treatments have proven effective in treating these mental health concerns generally, randomized controlled trials have not examined effects for gender minority youth. METHOD To address this gap, we pooled data from clinically referred youth (N = 432; M(SD)age = 10.6(2.2); 55.1% White) assigned to empirically supported treatment conditions across four previous randomized controlled trials of modular psychotherapy. A proxy indicator of gender identity (i.e., youth's wish to be the opposite sex) was used to classify gender minority (n = 64) and cisgender (n = 368) youth. Youth- and caregiver-reported pretreatment internalizing and externalizing problems, treatment effectiveness on these domains, and treatment acceptability were compared across groups. RESULTS Gender minority youth reported more severe pretreatment internalizing and externalizing problems compared to cisgender youth; in contrast, their caregivers reported less severe problems. Although treatment was equally effective for both groups on most outcomes, gender minority youth's caregiver-reported externalizing problems improved more slowly and less reliably, and their self-reported internalizing problems were more likely to remain clinically elevated. Furthermore, gender minority youth reported lower treatment satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS While findings suggest that empirically supported treatments may effectively address many mental health problems for gender minority youth, they also underscore the need for treatment enhancements that improve acceptability and outcomes. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Cross-Sectional Potential Imaging of Compound Semiconductor Heterostructure by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

The cross-sectional potential images of the GaAs/AlAs multiple quantum wells and InAlAs/InGaAs heterostructures have been successfully obtained by Kelvin probe force microscopy (KFM). It was shown that the smaller amplitude of the alternating voltage (Vac) applied to detect the electrostatic force during the KFM measurements gave a better potential profile of the heterostructures. The spatial resolution of the present KFM was investigated by measuring the InAlAs/InGaAs layered structures with various thicknesses. The minimum thickness of the InAlAs layer distinguished by the KFM was 40 nm.
The effect of an experiential learning program on motivations and activity involvement among dementia supporters in Japan

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an experiential learning program based on Kolb’s theory in increasing dementia supporters’ motivation and activity involvement within the community. Method In this interventional study, the sample was divided into two groups. The intervention group underwent dementia supporter training and participated in an experiential learning program, which was conducted two weeks after the initial training session. The control group underwent only the dementia supporter training. Results Kolb’s experiential learning model consists of four stages: concrete experience, reflective observation, conceptualization, and active experimentation. A total of 37 and 44 individuals constituted the intervention and control groups, respectively. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed that there was a significant increase in motivation among the intervention group participants, when compared to the control group participants. Moreover, the activity rate was higher among the intervention group participants. Discussion The experiential learning program was effective in increasing motivation levels and activity involvement among the dementia supporters. Conclusions The experiential learning program for dementia supporters can be used to improve other volunteer and professional programs. Moreover, Kolb’s theory can be used to support individuals with dementia within the community.
Multimodal Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Spine Surgeries: The Experience at a Spine Centre through Years

Study Design Retrospective observational study. Purpose To share our experience of multimodal intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) used in Sakra World Hospital, Bengaluru in various spine surgeries. Overview of Literature The development of new onset postoperative neurological deficits can be completely avoided. In order to avoid these, IONM has become a standard of care in recent times for early detection and manipulation of the surgical procedure to prevent postoperative neurological deficits. Methods This retrospective study was performed on 408 patients who had undergone spine surgeries with IONM during April 2014 to March 2020 at a single center. The operative report, anesthesia record, and IONM were reviewed. All the patients were reassessed for postoperative neurological deficits in the postoperative period and followed up based on the intraoperative findings and neurological deficits for 4 weeks. Signal changes in IONM were reviewed, and the obtained results were further categorized into true positive, true negative, false positive, or false negative. If changes were observed during the IONM, the patients were managed as per the algorithm. Results Of the 408 patients being monitored continuously during the intraoperative period, 38 showed changes in recordings, 28 developed postoperative neurological deficits, and one developed neurological deficit without any change in the IONM. Nine patients had transient neurological deficits, and the other 20 had permanent neurological deficits. Overall, the multimodal IONM used in our study had a sensitivity of 96.6%, specificity of 97.4%, a positive predictive value of 73.7%, and a negative predictive value of 99.7%. Conclusions Use of decision algorithm and multimodal neuromonitoring consisting of motor evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials, and electromyography complement each other in the detection of neurological injury during the course the surgery, improve intraoperative care, and prevent further damage and morbidity in patients.
Relevance of body mass index and bioelectrical impedance analysis vs. deuterium dilution technique to assess excess of fat among young adults

ABSTRACT Our study aimed to assess the nutritional status by using body composition among young Tunisian adults through three measurement methods: body mass index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and deuterium oxide dilution technique (2H2O) and to determine the accuracy of BMI and BIA in order to evaluate the overweight and obesity among young adults in Tunisia. Our study involved 144 young adults. Anthropometric parameters were measured. The fat mass percentage (%FM) was determined by 2H2O and BIA techniques. The analysis of deuterium enrichment was performed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). According to BMI, 26.4% of subjects were overweight and 5.5% were obese. The mean of %FM estimated by BIA was significantly higher than that determined by 2H2O (29.7 ± 7.7 vs. 26.3 ± 10.6, p < .0001). Consequently, the prevalence of overweight and obesity assessed by BIA was significantly higher than by 2H2O (51.4% vs. 34%, p < .0001). Using BMI, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was similar to that estimated by 2H2O (31.9% vs. 34%, p = 0.544). Compared to 2H2O, BIA overestimates the prevalence of overweight and obesity in young adults. On the other hand, the BMI showed an interesting correlation with the %FM determined by 2H2O.
The First-Derivative Curve of the Coagulation Waveform Reveals the Cause of aPTT Prolongation

Clot waveform analysis based on activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is reported to be a useful assay. We attempted to find beneficial parameters with the first-derivative curve. We examined 106 plasma samples with prolonged aPTT and analyzed the first-derivative curve statistically by dividing it into 6 groups (Lupus anticoagulant, Heparin, Direct oral anticoagulants, Factor VIII inhibitor, Hepatic dysfunctions and Factor deficiency). We obtained 7 coordinates for parameter measurement by analyzing the first-derivative curve and set 20 parameters including the velocity axis, the time axis, and area parameters. The distribution was checked by extracting each parameter that showed the most significant difference in the 6 groups. As a result, it was revealed that we could classify aPTT prolongation by using a combination of 3 parameters, the initial-to-peak gradient, the ratio initial-to-intermediate velocity/intermediate-to-peak velocity, and the initial-to-peak area size. We constructed a flowchart combining these 3 parameters and were able to discriminate 75% of the specimens. These parameters derived from the first-derivative curve of clot waveform analysis are useful tools to discriminate aPTT prolongation.
Triage Decisions Involving Pregnancy-Capable Patients: Educational Deficits and Emergency Nurses' Perceptions of Risk.

BACKGROUND In areas where obstetric services are not available, emergency departments often become the default for unplanned obstetric care, yet emergency nurses are not universally trained in the identification and treatment of obstetric emergencies. The purpose of this study was to explore emergency nurses' perception of acuity in the triage of pregnant or postpartum patients presenting to the emergency department with high-risk complaints and to identify facilitators and challenges to the accurate identification and treatment of these patients. METHOD A mixed-methods study was conducted using chart review data (N = 12,766) and focus group data (N = 39) from five emergency departments in the eastern United States. RESULTS In 86.5% of cases, pregnancy status was not documented. Ninety-four percent of pregnant patients with a systolic blood pressure over 140 mmHg were under-triaged. The overall theme of the qualitative data was acuity blindness, with identified barriers to assessment that included educational needs and triage processes and workflow issues. CONCLUSION There are significant knowledge deficits in the care of patients presenting with high-risk conditions associated with pregnancy. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2021;52(1):21-29. ].
Antileishmanial activity of synthetic analogs of the naturally occurring quinolone alkaloid N-methyl-8-methoxyflindersin

Leishmaniasis is a neglected, parasitic tropical disease caused by an intracellular protozoan from the genus Leishmania. Quinoline alkaloids, secondary metabolites found in plants from the Rutaceae family, have antiparasitic activity against Leishmania sp. N-methyl-8-methoxyflindersin (1), isolated from the leaves of Raputia heptaphylla and also known as 7-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H,5H,6H-pyran[3,2-c]quinolin-5-one, shows antiparasitic activity against Leishmania promastigotes and amastigotes. This study used in silico tools to identify synthetic quinoline alkaloids having structure similar to that of compound 1 and then tested these quinoline alkaloids for their in vitro antiparasitic activity against Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis, in vivo therapeutic response in hamsters suffering from experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), and ex vivo immunomodulatory potential in healthy donors’ human peripheral blood (monocyte)-derived macrophages (hMDMs). Compounds 1 (natural), 2 (synthetic), and 8 (synthetic) were effective against intracellular promastigotes (9.9, 3.4, and 1.6 μg/mL medial effective concentration [EC50], respectively) and amastigotes (5.07, 7.94, and 1.91 μg/mL EC50, respectively). Compound 1 increased nitric oxide production in infected hMDMs and triggered necrosis-related ultrastructural alterations in intracellular amastigotes, while compound 2 stimulated oxidative breakdown in hMDMs and caused ultrastructural alterations in the parasite 4 h posttreatment, and compound 8 failed to induce macrophage modulation but selectively induced apoptosis of infected hMDMs and alterations in the intracellular parasite ultrastructure. In addition, synthetic compounds 2 and 8 improved the health of hamsters suffering from experimental CL, without evidence of treatment-associated adverse toxic effects. Therefore, synthetic compounds 2 and 8 are potential therapeutic candidates for topical treatment of CL.
Delineating reef fish trophic guilds with global gut content data synthesis and phylogeny

Understanding species’ roles in food webs requires an accurate assessment of their trophic niche. However, it is challenging to delineate potential trophic interactions across an ecosystem, and a paucity of empirical information often leads to inconsistent definitions of trophic guilds based on expert opinion, especially when applied to hyperdiverse ecosystems. Using coral reef fishes as a model group, we show that experts disagree on the assignment of broad trophic guilds for more than 20% of species, which hampers comparability across studies. Here, we propose a quantitative, unbiased, and reproducible approach to define trophic guilds and apply recent advances in machine learning to predict probabilities of pairwise trophic interactions with high accuracy. We synthesize data from community-wide gut content analyses of tropical coral reef fishes worldwide, resulting in diet information from 13,961 individuals belonging to 615 reef fish. We then use network analysis to identify 8 trophic guilds and Bayesian phylogenetic modeling to show that trophic guilds can be predicted based on phylogeny and maximum body size. Finally, we use machine learning to test whether pairwise trophic interactions can be predicted with accuracy. Our models achieved a misclassification error of less than 5%, indicating that our approach results in a quantitative and reproducible trophic categorization scheme, as well as high-resolution probabilities of trophic interactions. By applying our framework to the most diverse vertebrate consumer group, we show that it can be applied to other organismal groups to advance reproducibility in trait-based ecology. Our work thus provides a viable approach to account for the complexity of predator–prey interactions in highly diverse ecosystems.
ATP2, The essential P4-ATPase of malaria parasites, catalyzes lipid-stimulated ATP hydrolysis in complex with a Cdc50 β-subunit

ABSTRACT Gene targeting approaches have demonstrated the essential role for the malaria parasite of membrane transport proteins involved in lipid transport and in the maintenance of membrane lipid asymmetry, representing emerging oportunites for therapeutical intervention. This is the case of ATP2, a Plasmodium-encoded 4 P-type ATPase (P4-ATPase or lipid flippase), whose activity is completely irreplaceable during the asexual stages of the parasite. Moreover, a recent chemogenomic study has situated ATP2 as the possible target of two antimalarial drug candidates. In eukaryotes, P4-ATPases assure the asymmetric phospholipid distribution in membranes by translocating phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet. In this work, we have used a recombinantly-produced P. chabaudi ATP2 (PcATP2), to gain insights into the function and structural organization of this essential transporter. Our work demonstrates that PcATP2 associates with two of the three Plasmodium-encoded Cdc50 proteins: PcCdc50B and PcCdc50A. Purified PcATP2/PcCdc50B complex displays ATPase activity in the presence of either phosphatidylserine or phosphatidylethanolamine. In addition, this activity is upregulated by phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate. Overall, our work describes the first biochemical characterization of a Plasmodium lipid flippase, a first step towards the understanding of the essential physiological role of this transporter and towards its validation as a potential antimalarial drug target.