Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance pressure and speech learning 1

Real-world speech learning often occurs in high pressure situations such as trying to communicate in a foreign country. However, the impact of pressure on speech learning success is largely unexplored. In this study, adult, native speakers of English learned non-native speech categories under pressure or no-pressure conditions. In the pressure conditions, participants were informed that they were paired with a (fictitious) partner, and that each had to independently exceed a performance criterion for both to receive a monetary bonus. They were then informed that their partner had exceeded the bonus and the fate of both bonuses depended upon the participant’s performance. Our results demonstrate that pressure significantly enhanced speech learning success. In addition, neurobiologically-inspired computational modeling revealed that the performance advantage was due to faster and more frequent use of procedural learning strategies. These results integrate two well-studied research domains and suggest a facilitatory role of motivational factors in speech learning performance that may not be captured in traditional training paradigms.
Evidence for Model-Based Action Planning in a Sequential Finger Movement Task

ABSTRACT In this article, the authors examine whether and how humans use model-free, reflexive strategies and model-based, deliberative strategies in motor sequence learning. They asked subjects to perform the grid-sailing task, which required moving a cursor to different goal positions in a 5 × 5 grid using different key-mapping (KM) rules between 3 finger keys and 3 cursor movement directions. The task was performed under 3 conditions: Condition 1, new KM; Condition 2, new goal position with learned KM; and Condition 3, learned goal position with learned KM; with or without prestart delay time. The performance improvement with prestart delay was significantly larger under Condition 2. This result provides evidence that humans implement a model-based strategy for sequential action selection and learning by using previously learned internal model of state transition by actions.
The Movement Assessment Battery for Children: a comparison of 4-year-old to 6-year-old children from Hong Kong and the United States.

OBJECTIVE There is little information available on the appropriateness of tests developed in the West for children of different ethnicities. The aim of this study was to examine the suitability of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC) for use with Hong Kong Chinese preschool children. METHOD The performance of 255 Hong Kong Chinese children between the ages of 4 years and 6 years was compared with that of the 493 children of the same age from the United States who took part in the most recent standardization of the Movement ABC. RESULTS The test content was found to be suitable for use with Hong Kong Chinese children. However, cross-cultural differences were found on a number of the test items. Chinese children performed significantly better on items contained in the manual dexterity and dynamic balance sections, whereas American children were better at the projection and reception of moving objects. CONCLUSION These findings highlight the need to ensure that norms for all tests are appropriate for the specific cultural groups being assessed.
Quench‐flow experiments combined with mass spectrometry show apomyoglobin folds through an obligatory intermediate

Folding of apomyoglobin is characterized by formation of a compact intermediate that contains substantial helicity. To determine whether this intermediate is obligatory or whether the protein can fold directly into the native state via an alternate parallel pathway, we have combined quench‐flow hydrogen‐exchange pulse labeling techniques with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The mass spectra of apomyoglobin obtained at various refolding times suggest that apomyoglobin indeed folds through a single pathway containing an obligatory intermediate with a significant hydrogen‐bonded secondary structure content.
Impact of dietary fat on gut microbiota and low-grade systemic inflammation: mechanisms and clinical implications on obesity

Abstract Dietary fat strongly affects human health by modulating gut microbiota composition and low-grade systemic inflammation. High-fat diets have been implicated in reduced gut microbiota richness, increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, and several changes at family, genus and species levels. Saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), polyunsaturated (PUFA) and conjugated linolenic fatty acids share important pathways of immune system activation/inhibition with gut microbes, modulating obesogenic and proinflammatory profiles. Mechanisms that link dietary fat, gut microbiota and obesity are mediated by increased intestinal permeability, systemic endotoxemia, and the activity of the endocannabinoid system. Although the probiotic therapy could be a complementary strategy to improve gut microbiota composition, it did not show permanent effects to treat fat-induced dysbiosis. Based upon evidence to date, we believe that high-fat diets and SFA consumption should be avoided, and MUFA and omega-3 PUFA intake should be encouraged in order to regulate gut microbiota and inflammation, promoting body weight/fat control.
Mid‐trimester fetal blood‐derived adherent cells share characteristics similar to mesenchymal stem cells but full‐term umbilical cord blood does not

Stem cell transplantation is a promising treatment for many conditions. Although stem cells can be isolated from many tissues, blood is the ideal source of these cells due to the ease of collection. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been paid increased attention because of their powerful proliferation and pluripotent differentiating ability. But whether MSCs reside in blood (newborn umbilical cord blood and fetal or adult peripheral blood) is also debatable. The present study showed that MSC‐like cells could be isolated and expanded from 16–26 weeks fetal blood but were not acquired efficiently from full‐term infants’ umbilical cord blood (UCB). Adherent cells separated from postnatal UCB were heterogeneous in cell morphology. Their proliferation capacity was limited and they were mainly CD45+, which indicated their haematopoietic derivation. On the contrary, MSC‐like cells shared a similar phenotype to bone marrow MSCs. They were CD34− CD45− CD44+ CD71+ CD90+ CD105+. They could be induced to differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic and neural lineage cells. Single cell clones also showed similar phenotype and differentiation ability. Our results suggest that early fetal blood is rich in MSCs but term UCB is not.
CNTs effects on RF resonators printed on paper

Low-cost RF resonators are reported to be formed from silver nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) printed on a paper substrate, operating at high frequency. The fabrication technique can be versatile in order to obtain a thin Ag layer and thin films of CNTs on the same substrate. Ag layer metallization is sprayed as the conductive part of the device achieving the transmission. CNT films are printed on one specific spot of the resonators to explore the electromagnetic effect of CNT films on the resonant circuits. Depending on the location and the density of CNTs printed, the CNTs act on the electromagnetics coupling to perform the transmission of the resonators or interact on the frequency.
Super-resolution in light microscopy

1. Leapman RD, Rizzo NW. Towards single atom analysis of biological structures. Ultramicroscopy 1999;78:251. 2. Ingram P, Shelburne JD, Roggli VL, LeFurgey A. Biomedical Applications of Microprobe Analysis. Academic Press: San Diego, CA, 1999. 3. Denk W, Horstmann H. Serial block-face scanning electron microscopy to reconstruct three dimensional tissue nanostructure.PLoS Biol 2004;2(11):e329. 4. Chen S, Deng J, Yuan Y, et al. The Bionanoprobe: hard x-ray fluorescence nanoprobe with cryogenic capabilities. J Synchrotron Radiat. 2014;21(1):66.
Predictors of effortful control among children of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fathers.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was (1) to examine the association between fathers' alcoholism and children's effortful control and (2) to examine the role of parental warmth and toddler temperament as mediators or moderators of this relationship. METHOD Families were recruited through New York State birth records when their infant was age 12 months. The final sample consisted of 226 families (116 boys) constituting two major groups: a nonalcoholic group consisting of parents with no or few current alcohol problems (n = 102) and a father alcoholic group (n = 124). Families were assessed when their child was ages 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. RESULTS Results indicate that boys of alcoholic fathers exhibit lower overall levels of effortful control than boys of nonalcoholic fathers. For boys, fathers' warmth over the second year of life mediated the association between fathers' alcoholism and effortful control. Maternal warmth was a unique predictor of effortful control for boys. For girls, fathers' alcoholism was associated with lower paternal warmth, which was in turn a significant predictor of effortful control. Child activity level and negative affect were associated with effortful control for boys but did not account for significant variance when entered in regression models with fathers' alcoholism and parenting variables. CONCLUSIONS Sons of alcoholic fathers are at an increased risk of problems in self-regulation when they are ages 2 to 3 years. Paternal warmth mediates the association between fathers' alcoholism and self-regulation for both boys and girls, although the nature of mediation may vary by child gender.
Linkage disequilibrium between four MTTP gene polymorphisms in a Mexican population

Background: The microsomal triglyceride transfer protein plays an important role in the folding, assembling and secretion of lipoproteins that contain apoprotein B. Different polymorphisms in the MTTP gene have been associated with risk factors for coronary heart disease and diabetes, the first and fourth most common causes of death in Mexico, respectively. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess allele, genotype and haplotype frequencies of six MTTP polymorphisms in an unselected Mexican population. Subjects and methods: Six polymorphisms were analysed by DNA sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products in 155 Mexican individuals and Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, genetic variability, linkage disequilibrium and neutrality test were evaluated. Results: The rare alleles of the six polymorphisms analysed had frequencies greater than 1% and their genotype distributions were in accordance with Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. All three promoter and I/T 128 polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium. Twelve different haplotypes were observed; GATGGT (70.44%) and TTCGGC (13.91%) were the most common. Diversity patterns in this Mexican population deviate significantly from expectations of the standard neutral model for infinite allele. Conclusion: The −493 G/T, −400 A/T, −164 T/C and I/T 128 polymorphisms can be useful for association studies in this population.
Water sorption and dimensional changes of denture base polymer reinforced with glass fibers in continuous unidirectional and woven form.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the dimensional accuracy and water sorption of a denture base polymer that was reinforced with glass fibers in continuous unidirectional and woven form in different weight fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten rhombic brass plates were prepared with reference points, and 70 heat-cured denture base polymer specimens were produced using these brass models. Ten of 70 were used for controls, and 60 were reinforced with glass fibers in continuous parallel and woven form. The dimensional changes of polymer and fiber-reinforced composite specimens after processing, drying for 4 days at 37 degrees C, and storage in 37 degrees C water for 90 days were calculated by the change of the distance vector. The measurements were made between the reference points on the specimens and were compared with those on the brass model at 4 different stages. The water sorption calculations were made at 10 different time intervals on 70 specimens, which were immersed in a 37 degrees C distilled water bath and weighed. RESULTS The polymerization shrinkage and water sorption of denture base polymers is lower when the specimens are reinforced with glass fibers in continuous unidirectional and woven form. The highest fiber content showed the smallest dimensional change (0.069 mm, or 0.25%), and the unreinforced group showed the largest change (0.139 mm, or 0.54%). Water sorption occurred mainly during the first 14 days. CONCLUSION As the fiber content increases, the dimensional change and water sorption decrease.
Effect of a thermal annealing on the mechanical behaviour of green pm compacts

Cold die compaction can produce different effects on the dimensional and mechanical behaviour of green PM compacts. They can be due to different causes, such as residual stresses, microcracks and others. Residual stresses should be relieved by means of applying thermal annealing treatments. In this work, the authors present the results obtained from uniaxial compression tests applied on green specimens of an atomised iron based powder, compacted to different densities and having undergone thermal annealings at several temperatures, always below the sintering one. The stress-strain compression curves obtained are compared with those corresponding to as compacted samples. The results seem indicate the existence of residual stresses that could act at different levels: microscopically, in the contact among particles, and macroscopically, in the overall specimen resistance.
Increments to genus Chamaecrista (Caesalpiniaceae: Cassiinae) from Bolivia and from Atlantic and Planaltine Brazil

Six taxa of genusChamaecrista are described: In sect.Apoucouita (Bentham) Irwin & Barneby,Ch. amorimii Barneby andCh. pteropoda Barneby, both from Atlantic Bahia; in sect.Absus ser.Incurvatae Irwin & Barneby,Ch. caspariifolia Barneby andCh. linearifolia var.latifolia Barneby, both from interior Minas Gerais; in sect.Absus ser.Hedysaroides Irwin & Barneby,Ch. fulgida Barneby, from northern Goiás; and in ser.Prostratae (Bentham) Irwin & Barneby,Ch. chiquitana Barneby, from lowland Bolivia. The affinities and differential characters of each are pointed out, and all but var.latifolia are illustrated.
Reliability assessment of power system considering the impact of wind energy

Power companies around the world are incorporating wind power into their electricity networks. Wind power is an intermittent source of energy and their technical and financial impacts on the transmission and distribution networks are not totally known. Due to this situation, it is necessary to study the influences of wind energy on electric network. The objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of wind energy on power systems reliability and operating reserve associated with wind power. The uncertainty of the wind power output means that operating reserves from conventional sources are needed. Different reliability models of power systems are presented. The paper presents a method of Monte Carlo simulation combined with Frequency & Duration method. The combination has proven to give an effective modeling for estimating system reliability and operating reserves for system with wind power. Computational results of a sample system will be included to support the proposed concept.
Univariate and multivariate family‐based association analysis of the IL‐13 ARG130GLN polymorphism in the Childhood Asthma Management program

Interleukin 13 (IL‐13) has been demonstrated to have a crucial role in animal models of allergy and asthma. In human case‐control genetic‐association studies, the Arg130Gln polymorphism has been associated with elevated total serum IgE and an asthma diagnosis in atopic and nonatopic individuals (Graves et al. [2000] J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 105:506–513; Heinzmann et al. [2000] Hum. Mol. Genet. 9:549–559). To apply family‐based association methods, we obtained DNA samples from 685 asthmatic children from 640 sibships and their parents in the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP). Six hundred and sixty‐six asthmatic children had complete phenotypic information and were used for this analysis. We performed quantitative association analysis using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) on 22 individual phenotypes and 5 grouped phenotypes relating to allergy, airway responsiveness, pulmonary function, bronchodilator responsiveness, and asthma severity, using genotypes at the Arg130Gln polymorphism of the IL‐13 gene. A positive association was obtained between Arg130Gln and a grouped phenotype of allergy (consisting of the individual phenotypes of eosinophils, IgE, and positive skin tests), using FBAT‐GEE, a multivariate extension of the family‐based association test (Lange et al. [2002] Biostatistics 1:1–15). The three phenotypes were then evaluated individually and revealed a significant association between total eosinophil count and the Arg130Gln locus; there was a trend for association between total IgE and the Arg130Gln polymorphism. The Arg130Gln polymorphism is associated with an elevated eosinophil count as well as with a grouped allergy phenotype, in children with mild to moderate asthma. No evidence for association was found between Arg130Gln and airway responsiveness, asthma diagnosis, or asthma severity. Genet. Epidemiol. 23:335–348, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative study of evolutionary algorithms for design of linear array of mutually coupled parallel dipole antennas including wide null placement

The authors in this paper present comparative study of three evolutionary algorithms such as quantum particle swarm optimization, backtracking search algorithm and cuckoo search algorithm for design of linear array of dipole antennas that will generate far-field radiation pattern in the horizontal plane with fixed value of peak side lobe level, voltage standing wave ratio and wide null depth. The performances of the above algorithms are judged here in terms of different antenna parameters like peak side lobe level, wide null depth and VSWR as well as statistical parameters such as best fitness value, mean and standard deviation. Mutual coupling between parallel dipole antennas has also been considered. Assuming the current distribution on each thin dipole to be sinusoidal, self and mutual impedances are calculated by induced EMF method. One example is presented to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Global Suppression of IL-6-induced Acute Phase Response Gene Expression after Chronic in Vivo Treatment with the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-α Activator Fenofibrate*

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which is highly expressed in liver, plays key roles in lipid metabolism and inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the principal inducer of acute phase response (APR) gene expression. In the present study, we demonstrate that chronic treatment with the PPARα agonist fenofibrate fully prevents the IL-6-induced APR gene expression in wild-type but not in PPARα-deficient mice. PPARα prevents the IL-6-induced expression of the positive APR genes fibrinogen-α, -β, -γ, haptoglobulin, and serum amyloid A and the IL-6-induced suppression of the negative APR gene, major urinary protein. Furthermore, the effect of PPARα on the APR gene expression does not simply consist in a delayed systemic response to IL-6 but occurs directly at the transcriptional level. This global suppression of acute phase gene transcription may be explained by two PPARα-dependent in vivo effects: 1) PPARα activation results in the down-regulation of the IL-6 receptor components gp80 and gp130 in the liver, thereby reducing the phosphorylation and activation of the downstream transcription factors STAT3 and c-Jun that transduce the IL-6 signal; and 2) PPARα reduces the basal expression of the transcription factors CCAAT enhancer-binding protein-α, -β, -δ, which are responsible for immediate and maintained transcription of APR genes. A similar global effect of fenofibrate on acute phase protein expression is observed in hyperlipidemic patients chronically treated with fenofibrate, which displayed decreased plasma concentrations of the positive APR proteins fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, plasminogen, and α2-macroglobulin and increased plasma concentrations of the negative APR albumin, underlining the clinical significance of our findings.
Forecasting the Effects of Global Warming on Biodiversity

ABSTRACT The demand for accurate forecasting of the effects of global warming on biodiversity is growing, but current methods for forecasting have limitations. In this article, we compare and discuss the different uses of four forecasting methods: (1) models that consider species individually, (2) niche-theory models that group species by habitat (more specifically, by environmental conditions under which a species can persist or does persist), (3) general circulation models and coupled ocean–atmosphere–biosphere models, and (4) species–area curve models that consider all species or large aggregates of species. After outlining the different uses and limitations of these methods, we make eight primary suggestions for improving forecasts. We find that greater use of the fossil record and of modern genetic studies would improve forecasting methods. We note a Quaternary conundrum: While current empirical and theoretical ecological results suggest that many species could be at risk from global warming, during the recent ice ages surprisingly few species became extinct. The potential resolution of this conundrum gives insights into the requirements for more accurate and reliable forecasting. Our eight suggestions also point to constructive synergies in the solution to the different problems.
Mild-hybrid traction system based on a bidirectional half-bridge interleaved converter and a three-level active NPC inverter-fed PMSM

In this paper a practical and original solution for a mild-hybrid traction system is proposed. It is based on a surface permanent magnet (SPM) synchronous motor drive supplied by a three-level active neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter and a bidirectional half-bridge interleaved converter on the battery side. Design issues, optimization (especially from the efficiency point-of-view) and advantages of the considered system architecture are analyzed through simulation and preliminary experimental results. A prototype hybrid traction test bench controlled by multiple digital signal controllers is proposed.
Testosterone/Androstenedione Ratio in the Evaluation of Women With Ovarian Androgen Excess

A plasma testosterone/androstenedione (T/A) ratio was calculated in 15 women with possible ovarian neoplasms and androgen excess and whose mean plasma concentration of testosterone approached or was greater than a twofold elevation. The T/A ratio approached unity in eight of nine patients with polycystic ovarian disease, whereas all patients with hyperthecosis and two of three patients with androgen-secreting tumors had a testosterone/androstenedione ratio above 1.5. In 13 of 16 patients with androgensecreting tumors of the ovary reported in the literature, the testosterone/androstenedione ratio was above 1.5. An elevated testosterone/androstenedione ratio should raise the suspicion of either an ovarian androgen-secreting tumor or hyperthecosis.