Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relative subtest scatter on the WAIS-IV in a clinical sample referred for outpatient neuropsychological evaluation

Abstract Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine relative inter-subtest variability, or scatter, on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) in a clinical sample of patients referred for neuropsychological evaluation and compare the findings to corresponding data from the scale’s standardization sample. Method: Participants were 638 individuals diagnosed primarily with neurological, psychiatric, or neurodevelopmental disorders who completed the 10 core subtests of the WAIS-IV as part of a comprehensive assessment battery. Results: Mean participant scores on the WAIS-IV Full Scale IQ and all index composites were within the average range, overall, but were significantly below those of the standardization sample. The correlation between scatter range and highest subtest scaled score was significant, r = . 65, indicating a greater degree of subtest scaled score variability in participants with higher than average peak subtest scaled scores than participants with average or below peak subtest scaled scores. Mean variability by highest subtest scaled score was, in most cases, larger in this clinical sample relative to the scale’s standardization sample. Exploratory secondary analyses also revealed specific differences in relative scatter based on diagnostic group classification. Conclusions: Subtest scatter on the WAIS-IV is common among both healthy individuals and clinical patients. Although somewhat higher in this investigation’s clinical sample, the significance of this finding generally appears to be of nominal value during interpretation of individual cases but may have some utility in formulating hypotheses when considered in conjunction with reliability data and other approaches for analyzing test scores. High scatter is not pathognomonic of abnormality, and at least some degree of caution is warranted when interpreting subtest scaled score differences on the WAIS-IV.
Renin–angiotensin system inhibitors and clinical outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a propensity score-matched study from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry

Objective The effect of renin–angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) in patients with heart failure (HF) and atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate associations between RASI use and all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with AF and HF. Methods Using data from the China Atrial Fibrillation Registry study, we included 938 patients with AF and HF with a left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. Cox regression models for RASIs vs. non-RASIs with all-cause mortality as the primary outcome were fitted in a 1:1 propensity score-matched cohort. A sensitivity analysis was performed by using a multivariable time-dependent Cox regression model. As an internal control, we assessed the relation between β-blocker use and all-cause mortality. Results During a mean follow-up of 35 months, the risk of all-cause mortality was similar in RASI users compared with non-users (hazard ratio: 0.92; 95% confidence interval: 0.67–1.26). Similar results were obtained in the sensitivity analysis. In contrast, β-blocker use was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality in the same population. Conclusions RASI use was not associated with better outcomes in patients with AF and HF in this prospective cohort, which raises questions about their value in this specific subset. Trail Registration: ChiCTR-OCH-13003729.
An experimental study on solvent liquefaction

Solvent liquefaction (SL) is a promising technology for converting biomass to renewable fuels and chemicals. However, many technical barriers currently prevent the technology from commercial advancement. This research focused on the technical challenges that were confronted during the development of a continuous SL process development unit (PDU). A 1 kg hr pilot plant was designed to evaluate the technical feasibility of a continuous hydrocarbon-based SL process. The process was demonstrated to convert Loblolly pine to liquid products at a yield of 51.2 wt%. The liquid products were low in oxygen content (23.2 wt%) and moisture (13.4 wt%). In addition to validating product yields and quality, several unit operations were also evaluated. Online solids filtration continuously separated over 99% of the solid residue from the product stream. Acetone, injected into the process to aid in solids filtration, was continuously recovered with only 3 wt% loss to the process. Bio-oil fractionation via a distillation column was also demonstrated. A medium oil cut, suitable for use as a recycle solvent, was recovered using this system. This cut accounted for approximately 93 wt% of the initial solvent. The effect of moisture on SL of biomass in a hydrocarbon solvent (tetralin) was evaluated to help determine the extent to which the feedstock should be dried for the SL PDU. These experiments were conducted in a quasi-batch reactor with independent pressure control and external vapor recovery. It was found that increasing the feedstock moisture from 1 to 50 wt% resulted in a reduction in liquid yield of 25, 21, and 35 wt%, for pine, cellulose, and lignin, respectively. Analysis of the solid residue, which increased proportionally to the
Development of a psychosocial oncology core curriculum for multidisciplinary education and training: Initial content validation using the modified Delphi Method

Despite its four decade history, the multidisciplinary specialty of psychosocial oncology (PSO) has no official consensus on core content. In 2014, the American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) Board charged the APOS Professional Education Committee with outlining curricular content needed for core competence.
Identification of Species by Combining Molecular and Morphological Data Using Convolutional Neural Networks.

Integrative taxonomy is central to modern taxonomy and systematic biology, including behaviour, niche preference, distribution, morphological analysis and DNA barcoding. However, decades of use demonstrate that these methods can face challenges when used in isolation, for instance, potential misidentifications due to phenotypic plasticity for morphological methods, and incorrect identifications because of introgression, incomplete lineage sorting and horizontal gene transfer for DNA barcoding. Although researchers have advocated the use of integrative taxonomy, few detailed algorithms have been proposed. Here, we develop a convolutional neural network method (morphology-molecule network (MMNet)) that integrates morphological and molecular data for species identification. The newly proposed method (MMNet) worked better than four currently-available alternative methods when tested with 10 independent datasets representing varying genetic diversity from different taxa. High accuracies were achieved for all groups, including beetles (98.1% of 123 species), butterflies (98.8% of 24 species), fishes (96.3% of 214 species) and moths (96.4% of 150 total species). Further, MMNet demonstrated a high degree of accuracy (>98%) in four datasets including closely related species from the same genus. The average accuracy of two modest sub-genomic (single nucleotide polymorphism) datasets, comprising eight putative subspecies respectively, is 90%. Additional tests show that the success rate of species identification under this method most strongly depends on the amount of training data, and is robust to sequence length and image size. Analyses on the contribution of different data types (image versus gene) indicate that both morphological and genetic data are important to the model, and that genetic data contribute slightly more. The approaches developed here serve as a foundation for the future integration of multi-modal information for integrative taxonomy, such as image, audio, video, 3D scanning and biosensor data, to characterize organisms more comprehensively as a basis for improved investigation, monitoring and conservation of biodiversity.
An auditory time perception illusion analogous to the visual Müller‐Lyer illusion

According to the centroid hypothesis, the visual Müller‐Lyer‐type illusions in which subjects misperceive lines or gaps as longer or shorter depending on surrounding distracters result from the pooling of positioning neural signals such that the perceived object is shifted towards these distracters. However, it is uncertain if this type of pooling is a more general principal that influences perceptions in other sensory modalities, including time perception based on auditory signals. In this study, I show that by applying the principles of the centroid hypothesis, an audial time duration illusion can be constructed. The perception of two sequential time intervals, which were defined by three short tone signals, was distorted by placing distracting white noise sounds near each signal. Misperception magnitude, which peaked at 31%, changed with the time interval between the tone signals and distracters; the relationship between the target–distracter distance and the illusion strength closely paralleled with that of a Müller‐Lyer‐type illusion, whereby the visual objects were analogically arranged in space rather than time. These results demonstrate that even if signals and distracters are distinguishable, the neural mechanisms for estimating time duration utilize coarser sampling to preserve processing resources at the expense of high accuracy. I hypothesize that systems that are dedicated to visual length and time duration estimations are based on similar perceptual magnitude evaluation algorithms. Moreover, this signal pooling principle may be applicable to other perceptual modalities across different species.
PARP inhibitors decrease response to subsequent platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with BRCA mutated ovarian cancer

To determine the effect of poly-adenosine ribose phosphatase inhibitors (PARPi) on the response to subsequent platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) in patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive BRCA-mutated epithelial ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian cancer (BRCAm EOC). This is a retrospective, single-institution cohort study of patients with BRCAm EOC who received retreatment with PBC. The PFS of patients with BRCAm EOC to 2nd or 3rd PBC with and without a prior PARPi was determined. Additionally, we compared the PFS to subsequent PBC following a prior PARPi for BRCAm and non-BRCAm. One hundred and fifteen patients with BRCAm EOC received a 2nd PBC and 55 received a 3rd PBC. The median PFS was 2.3 and 2.4 times longer, respectively for patients who did not receive a PARPi, (2nd P = 0.005, 3rd P < 0.001). Among 20 PARPi exposed patients with BRCAm EOC the PFS to a 2nd or 3rd PBC was worse at 8.0 months vs. 19.1 months HR 4.01 [2.25,7.16], P < 0.001. Following PARPi exposure the PFS for patients with BRCAm EOC was similar for patients with platinum-free intervals of 6–12, 12–24 and >24 months. Following PARPi exposure the PFS was similar for patients with BRCAm EOC and non BRCAm EOC. Among patients with BRCAm EOC PARPi exposure significantly reduced PFS following 2nd and 3rd PBC. PARPi exposure nullifies established prognostic factors (i.e. platinum-free interval and BRCA mutational status) in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.
Behavior of aqueous solutions of polymer star with block copolymer poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) arms

ABSTRACT Eight-arm star-shaped poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) (M ≈ 21,000 g · mol−1) was studied by turbidimetry and light scattering in aqueous solutions within concentration ranging from 0.00038 to 0.0276 g · cm−3. The arms were the block copolymers of poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPrOx) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (PEtOx). Calix[8]arene core was connected with poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline). The behavior of investigated polymer differed from that of thermosensitive stars with poly(2-alkyl-2-oxazoline) homopolymer arms. At low temperatures, the aggregates were formed due to interaction of hydrophobic cores. The phase separation temperatures T1 and T2 of studied star were higher than those for star-shaped poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) and lower than for poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline). T1 and T2 increased with dilution.
Characterization of Cycling in a Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys)

Here we examine the patterns of reproductive hormones (progesterone and estrone-3 glucuronide, or E1G) in one female hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) housed at the Gibbon Conservation Center, throughout the maturation period. Three hundred forty-five fecal samples were collected from the individual over a 5-year period (2012–2017) beginning at the age of 6 years and ending at the age of 11. The average measured progesterone concentration increased from 19.572 ± 1.706 ng/g feces in 2012 to 107.922 ± 12.094 ng/g feces in 2016/17 (p < 0.00001). The average measured estrogen value increased from 1.234 ± 0.063 ng/g feces in 2012 to 2.783 ± 0.274 ng/g feces in 2016/17 (p < 0.00001). This was accompanied by the emergence of a clear hormonal cycling pattern in the 2016/17 samples that was absent in all earlier samples. These data are consistent with the known sexual maturation period for other gibbon species, which typically occurs between the ages of 6 and 8 but shows some variation. To our knowledge, this is the first hormonal study and first data on cycle length for a hoolock gibbon.
Physiologic, Metabolic, and Toxicologic Profile of 1,3-Butanediol

Ketone bodies are essential energy substrates in the absence of exogenous nutrients, and more recently, they have been suggested to prevent disease and improve longevity. β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) is the most abundant ketone body. The secondary alcohol, 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BD), is commonly administered to raise βHB bioavailability in vivo and in the absence of nutrient deprivation. However, the concentration of 1,3-BD that yields a systemic concentration of βHB similar to that observed after a 24-hour fast has yet to be determined. To evaluate this knowledge gap, we administered 5%, 10%, or 20% 1,3-BD via the drinking water to adult, male Wistar-Kyoto rats for four weeks. In addition to systemic and excreted βHB concentration, physiologic, metabolic, and toxicologic parameters were measured. We report that only 20% 1,3-BD significantly elevates the systemic and urinary concentrations of βHB. Rats treated with 20% 1,3-BD had a rapid and sustained reduction in body mass. All concentrations of 1,3-BD decreased food consumption, but only the 20% concentration decreased fluid consumption. Urine volume, red blood cell count, and hematocrit suggested dehydration in the 10% and 20% 1,3-BD–treated rats. Finally, 20% 1,3-BD–treated rats presented with indicators of metabolic acidosis and sinusoidal dilation, but no evidence of fatty liver or hepatotoxicity. In summary, we report that 20% 1,3-BD, but not 5% or 10%, produces a systemic concentration of βHB similar to that observed after a 24-hour fast. However, this concentration is associated with deleterious side effects such as body mass loss, dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and sinusoidal dilation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT 1,3-Butanediol (1,3-BD) is often administered to stimulate the biosynthesis of the most abundant ketone body, β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB), and its purported salubrious effects. This article reports that suprapharmacological concentrations of 1,3-BD are necessary to yield a systemic concentration of βHB similar to that observed after a 24-hour fast, and this is associated with undesirable side effects. On the other hand, low concentrations of 1,3-BD were better tolerated and may improve health independent of its conversion into βHB.
Association Between Human Papillomavirus Infection Among Pregnant Women and Preterm Birth

Key Points Question Is human papillomavirus (HPV) infection during pregnancy associated with preterm delivery? Findings In this multicenter cohort study of 899 pregnant women, persistent HPV-16/18 infection during pregnancy was significantly associated with preterm birth. Meaning If the identified association between HPV infection during pregnancy and preterm delivery is causal, HPV vaccination may reduce preterm birth and the associated burden.
Drought affects carbon partitioning into volatile organic compound (VOC) biosynthesis in Scots pine needles.

The effect of drought on the interplay of processes controlling carbon partitioning into plant primary and secondary metabolisms such as respiratory CO2 release and volatile organic compound (VOC) biosynthesis, is not fully understood. To elucidate the effect of drought on the fate of cellular C-sources into VOCs vs. CO2 , we conducted tracer experiments with 13 CO2 and position-specific 13 C-labeled pyruvate, a key metabolite between primary and secondary metabolisms, in Scots pine seedlings. We determined stable carbon isotope composition of leaf exchanged CO2 and VOC. Drought reduced emission of the sesquiterpenes α-farnesene and β-farnesene but did not affect 13 C-incorporation from 13 C-pyruvate. The labelling patterns suggest that farnesene biosynthesis partially depends on isopentenyl-diphosphate cross-talk between chloroplasts and cytosol, and that drought inhibits this process. Contrary to sesquiterpenes, drought did not affect emission of isoprene, monoterpenes and some oxygenated compounds. During the day pyruvate was used in the TCA-cycle to a minor degree but mainly consumed in pathways of secondary metabolism. Drought partly inhibited such pathways, while allocation into the TCA-cycle increased. Drought causes a re-direction of pyruvate consuming pathways, which contributes to maintenance of isoprene and monoterpene production despite strongly inhibited photosynthesis. This underlines the importance of these volatiles for stress tolerance.
ERGOBOSS: onomic ptimization of dy-upporting urfaces

Humans routinely sit or lean against supporting surfaces and it is important to shape these surfaces to be comfortable and ergonomic. We give a method to design the geometric shape of rigid supporting surfaces to maximize the ergonomics of physically based contact between the surface and a deformable human. We model the soft deformable human using a layer of FEM deformable tissue surrounding a rigid core, with measured realistic elastic material properties, and large-deformation nonlinear analysis. We define a novel cost function to measure the ergonomics of contact between the human and the supporting surface. We give a stable and computationally efficient contact model that is differentiable with respect to the supporting surface shape. This makes it possible to optimize our ergonomic cost function using gradient-based optimizers. Our optimizer produces supporting surfaces superior to prior work on ergonomic shape design. Our examples include furniture, apparel and tools. We also validate our results by scanning a real human subject's foot and optimizing a shoe sole shape to maximize foot contact ergonomics. We 3D-print the optimized shoe sole, measure contact pressure using pressure sensors, and demonstrate that the real unoptimized and optimized pressure distributions qualitatively match those predicted by our simulation.
Nonthermal resection device for ablation of Barrett’s esophagus: a feasibility and safety study

Abstract Background and study aims Several techniques exist for the eradication of Barrett’s esophagus (BE); however, all have limitations regarding successful conversion to squamous epithelium and a complication profile. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of a new non-thermal device, the EndoRotor, for the eradication of BE as a first-line ablation technique. Patients and methods Patients with BE were prospectively included in 2 tertiary referral centers in The Netherlands. Inclusion criteria: BE-length 2–5 cm, with low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia or residual BE after endoscopic resection (ER) of a lesion containing early neoplasia. Exclusion criteria: previous ER > 50 % circumference, or previous ablation therapy. Follow-up endoscopy was performed after 3 months. Outcomes were the percentage of endoscopically visible BE surface regression and complications. Results Thirty patients (25 male, age 66 years [IQR: 59–73], median BE C0M3) were included. Eighteen patients underwent ER prior to ablation. Median percentage BE ablated was 100 % (IQR: 94–100). Median visual BE surface regression at three-months follow-up was 80 % (IQR: 68–95). Multiple residual Barrett’s islands were commonly seen. Six patients (20 %) had a treatment-related complication requiring intervention, including one perforation (3 %), one postprocedural hemorrhage (3 %), and four strictures (13 %). Post-procedural pain was reported in 18 patients (60 %). Conclusions For the endoscopic ablation of BE, the EndoRotor procedure was found to be technically demanding with a longer procedure time compared to established ablation techniques and a high complication rate. Based on these results, we do not recommend the EndoRotor as a first-line ablation technique for the eradication of BE.
South African university women's perspectives on intimate partner violence: a qualitative study of reactions to a tailored vignette

Abstract Intimate partner violence is an ongoing issue in South Africa, which has the highest rates of violence against women and girls in the world. Intimate partner violence is common in Limpopo, where women, including university students, experience elevated rates of violent crime. This qualitative study was conducted to examine university students’ perspectives regarding intimate partner violence among their peers. A culturally tailored vignette was used to prompt reflection from 38 female university students in Limpopo. Audiotaped responses to the vignette were transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were developed from participants’ responses to the vignette: cultural beliefs, the university’s role in intimate partner violence, likely outcomes of intimate partner violence, and future interventions. Intimate partner violence was seen as a common problem within the university. Students’ responses indicated that cultural beliefs perpetuated violence against women, with women entering and remaining in abusive relationships for financial security or resources such as housing. Students also reported lack of adequate on-campus housing options, limited knowledge of intimate partner violence, and few actions to reduce intimate partner violence, all of which placed then at heightened risk of intimate partner violence.
Reasons Things Happen for a Reason: An Integrative Theory of Teleology

Humans default to functions and purposes when asked to explain the existence of mysterious phenomena. Our penchant for teleological reasoning is associated with good outcomes, such as finding meaning in misfortune, but also with bad outcomes, such as dangerous conspiracy theories and misunderstood scientific ideas, both of which pose important social and health problems. Psychological research into the teleological default has long alluded to Daniel Dennett’s intentional-systems theory but has not fully engaged with the three intellectual stances at its core (intentional, design, physical). This article distinguishes the intentional stance from the design stance, which untangles some of the present knots in theories of teleology, accounts for diverse forms of teleology, and enhances predictions of when teleological reasoning is more likely to occur. This article examines the evidence for a teleological default considering Dennett’s intentional-systems theory, proposes a process model, and clarifies current theoretical debates. It argues that people rationally and often thoughtfully use teleological reasoning in relation to both cognitive and social psychological factors. Implications for theory and future research are discussed.