Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Role of Mindfulness in Borderline Personality Disorder Features

This study investigated whether deficits in mindfulness (attention, awareness, and acceptance of the present moment) underlie variability in borderline personality disorder (BPD) features and related impairments in interpersonal functioning, impulsivity, and emotion regulation. A path analytic approach was used to examine the relationships of trait mindfulness with BPD features, interpersonal effectiveness, impulsive and passive emotion-regulation, and neuroticism in a psychiatric sample of adults (N = 70). As hypothesized, mindfulness was associated inversely with BPD features and core areas of dysfunction, and these associations continued when controlling for neuroticism. Furthermore, mindfulness deficits continued to predict BPD features even when interpersonal effectiveness, passive and impulsive emotion-regulation, and neuroticism were controlled. These findings suggest that mindfulness may be a unique predictor for the expression of BPD pathology. An emphasis on mindfulness may thus be crucial in enhancing the formulation and treatment of BPD.
RELATIONSHIP OF FINGER FUNCTION TO BEGINNING WRITING: APPLICATION TO DIAGNOSIS OF WRITING DISABILITIES

Finger function tasks designed to elicit soft neurological signs or to measure sensory‐motor integration were administered to 100 first‐, 100 second‐ and 100 third‐grade children as part of a multivariate study of normal writing acquisition in an unreferred sample. The finger‐succession task—a measure of motor planning and programming of complex, sequential movements—had the best reliability and validity for assessing handwriting and composition. However, of the developmental measures, the alphabet task—requiring the child to retrieve and produce alphabet letters in sequence, thereby integrating orthographic symbols and motor output—had the best concurrent validity for assessing handwriting, spelling and composition. The authors recommend that clinicians use the finger‐succession and alphabet tasks for early identification of ‘at‐risk’ children in order to prevent severe writing disabilities later in development.
Effects of Ocean Acidification on Population Dynamics and Community Structure of Crustose Coralline Algae

Calcification and growth of crustose coralline algae (CCA) are affected by elevated seawater pCO2 and associated changes in carbonate chemistry. However, the effects of ocean acidification (OA) on population and community-level responses of CCA have barely been investigated. We explored changes in community structure and population dynamics (size structure and reproduction) of CCA in response to OA. Recruited from an experimental flow-through system, CCA settled onto the walls of plastic aquaria and developed under exposure to one of three pCO2 treatments (control [present day, 389 ± 6 ppm CO2], medium [753 ± 11 ppm], and high [1267 ± 19 ppm]). Elevated pCO2 reduced total CCA abundance and affected community structure, in particular the density of the dominant species Pneophyllum sp. and Porolithon onkodes. Meanwhile, the relative abundance of P. onkodes declined from 24% under control CO2 to 8.3% in high CO2 (65% change), while the relative abundance of Pneophyllum sp. remained constant. Population size structure of P. onkodes differed significantly across treatments, with fewer larger individuals under high CO2. In contrast, the population size structure and number of reproductive structures (conceptacles) per crust of Pneophyllum sp. was similar across treatments. The difference in the magnitude of the response of species abundance and population size structure between species may have the potential to induce species composition changes in the future. These results demonstrate that the impacts of OA on key coral reef builders go beyond declines in calcification and growth, and suggest important changes to aspects of population dynamics and community ecology.
Developmental patterns of chimpanzee cerebral tissues provide important clues for understanding the remarkable enlargement of the human brain

Developmental prolongation is thought to contribute to the remarkable brain enlargement observed in modern humans (Homo sapiens). However, the developmental trajectories of cerebral tissues have not been explored in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), even though they are our closest living relatives. To address this lack of information, the development of cerebral tissues was tracked in growing chimpanzees during infancy and the juvenile stage, using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging and compared with that of humans and rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Overall, cerebral development in chimpanzees demonstrated less maturity and a more protracted course during prepuberty, as observed in humans but not in macaques. However, the rapid increase in cerebral total volume and proportional dynamic change in the cerebral tissue in humans during early infancy, when white matter volume increases dramatically, did not occur in chimpanzees. A dynamic reorganization of cerebral tissues of the brain during early infancy, driven mainly by enhancement of neuronal connectivity, is likely to have emerged in the human lineage after the split between humans and chimpanzees and to have promoted the increase in brain volume in humans. Our findings may lead to powerful insights into the ontogenetic mechanism underlying human brain enlargement.
Pedicle Screw “Hubbing” in the Immature Thoracic Spine: A Biomechanical and Micro-Computed Tomography Evaluation

Background: A previous biomechanical study using adult thoracic vertebrae (both normal and osteoporotic bone density) demonstrated the deleterious effect of the pedicle screw hubbing technique. Pedicle screw “hubbing” involves seating and engaging the ventral aspect of the screw head onto the dorsal lamina cortex. This technique is postulated to provide a load-sharing effect by improving pullout resistance, as well as decreasing cephalocaudad toggling and implant loosening. We hypothesized the elastic properties of immature bone may mitigate, and perhaps enhance the purported benefits of the hubbing technique. We set out to evaluate pullout strength of fixed-head pedicle screws after hubbing versus standard insertion in the immature thoracic calf spine. Methods: Twenty-two (n=22) single-level disarticulated fresh-frozen immature calf thoracic vertebra specimens (ranging from T2 to T13) were prepared. Twelve specimens were instrumented with pedicle screws in group I (nonhubbed) and group II (hubbed) in the opposite pedicle. Cyclic loading in a cephalocaudad direction was applied for 2000 cycles at a rate of 1 Hz. Pullout testing was performed in-line with the midline of the vertebra and peak pullout strength was measured in Newtons. Ten different specimens underwent micro-computed tomography evaluation to assess for trabecular architecture and incidence of iatrogenic microfractures. Results: Hubbed screws resulted in significantly lower pullout strength (747±197 vs. 922±112 N, P=0.01). With the hubbing technique, the dorsal cortex demonstrated plastic deformation and conformed to the screw head in 83% of cases compared with no visible plastic deformation in the control group. Micro-computed tomography demonstrated microfractures of the dorsal cortex in 10/10 for the hubbed group compared with 1/10 for the control group. Conclusions: This is the largest study ever performed on immature thoracic vertebra to evaluate this topic. Hubbed pedicle screws have significantly decreased pullout strength and frequently cause iatrogenic microfractures of the dorsal cortex. The unique ability of immature bone to exhibit plastic deformation did not provide a protective effect on immediate fixation strength, and the increased insertional torque during the hubbing technique should not give a false sense of added fixation. This study, along with our adult study, provides critical information to the surgeon to avoid this common misunderstanding with screw insertion technique. Clinical Relevance: In vitro fresh-frozen immature calf spine study.
Integrated facial analysis and targeted sequencing identifies a novel KDM6A pathogenic variant resulting in Kabuki syndrome

Abstract Kabuki syndrome (KS) is a rare congenital mental retardation condition characterized by facial dysmorphia, visceral and skeletal malformations, and developmental delay. The integrated phenotype and genotype-based prioritization is critical for diagnoses of genetic diseases. In this study, a Chinese woman, presenting with characteristic facial features of KS, came for pre-pregnancy consultation. We aimed to clarify the diagnosis and provide pre-pregnancy genetic counseling. Facial dysmorphology analysis and next-generation sequencing-based multigene panel approach were used to identify candidate syndromes and causative variants, respectively. The candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. We identified a novel de novo KDM6A pathogenic variant (c.3521G>A) in the woman, which was in line with the Face2Gene analysis result. Peripheral blood RNA assay showed that the variant transcript underwent the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and led to subsequent haploinsufficiency of KDM6A. Our study provides the genetic diagnosis method for KS type 2 and identifies the first KDM6A point variant in Chinese patient.
LPV system identification for control using the local approach

In this paper, we consider the problem of optimal experiment design for LPV system identification with the local approach when the identified model has to be used for LPV control. This local approach for LPV system identification is characterised by a number of local LTI identification experiments performed at constant values of the scheduling variable. In this paper, we determine these constant values of the scheduling variable as well as the input spectra of the corresponding local LTI identification experiments in an optimal way. The optimal LPV identification experiment is here defined as the experiment with the least input energy while guaranteeing that the identified LPV model is sufficiently accurate to yield a satisfactory LPV controller.
Model-based sound synthesis of tanbur, a Turkish long-necked lute

Physics-based simulation and sound synthesis of the tanbur, a traditional Turkish long-necked lute is tackled by two computational models based on digital waveguides. A linear generic dual-polarization simulation including sympathetic coupling is calibrated according to recorded sound examples. The other approach utilizes a specific model that incorporates a nonlinear tension modulation mechanism that is pronounced in the tanbur. The nonlinear implementation can accurately reproduce features such as variation of the fundamental frequency, nonlinear coupling of the harmonic partials, and tension modulation driving force coupling to the body. The synthesis results of both models are justified by audio demonstrations.
Monitoring the Evolution of Resistance in Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to the Cry1F Protein in Argentina

Abstract Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most important and widely cultivated crops in Argentina. Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a common maize pest capable of causing significant yield losses and is most destructive in late-planted maize in subtropical regions, going through five to six generations per growing season. The Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) trait Herculex I Insect Protection technology by Dow AgroSciences and Pioneer Hi-Bred (HX I, event DAS-Ø15Ø7-1), expressing Cry1F protein, was launched in the 2005–2006 season in Argentina and was widely adopted because of the high level of efficacy against S. frugiperda, as well as other pests such as Diatraea saccharalis (J.C. Fabricius). However, increased late-season plantings, limited adoption of refuge, and properties of S. frugiperda biology (high number of generations and migratory behavior) have led to high S. frugiperda exposure to Cry1F and resistance selection pressure. Field efficacy monitoring has been conducted throughout the main maize production areas in Argentina from 2009 to 2016. Laboratory monitoring has been conducted throughout the same areas from 2010 to 2015. Here, we describe changes in field efficacy of HX I and the results of laboratory-based susceptibility monitoring conducted using purified Cry1F protein. Increases in larval survival and crop damage were evident throughout the 2012–2016 period and spanned the majority of maize production areas in Argentina. Over the same period, random larval collections showed increasing survivorship on diet containing purified Cry1F protein. These field and laboratory studies confirmed that resistance to Cry1F has developed and is now widely distributed in S. frugiperda populations in Argentina.
The class-E/F family of ZVS switching amplifiers

A new family of switching amplifiers, each member having some of the features of both class E and inverse F, is introduced. These class-E/F amplifiers have class-E features such as incorporation of the transistor parasitic capacitance into the circuit, exact truly switching time-domain solutions, and allowance for zero-voltage-switching operation. Additionally, some number of harmonics may be tuned in the fashion of inverse class F in order to achieve more desirable voltage and current waveforms for improved performance. Operational waveforms for several implementations are presented, and efficiency estimates are compared to class-E.
Charging infrastructure and plug-in of electric vehicle into power system

This paper shows the characterization of the public and private charging infrastructures to be used in the electric vehicle's batteries, and its influence into the power system in respect of the demand curve. In the first infrastructure was made the estimation of the demand curve in different scenarios, with the inclusion of the taxis fleet that are coming to Bogotá using a typical energy curve against the time throughout the day, in this way it was planted the best strategy of charging. In the second one, it was made a poll about the multifamily building's topology and the corresponding parking places, also it was got the values of demand energy in the respective buildings and the transformer power, and in that way it could be determinate the number of charging points that might be installed from simulations made on MATLAB TOOLBOX, applying Artificial Neuronal Networks (ANN).
Interaction of ritonavir on tissue distribution of a [(14)c]L-valinamide, a potent human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease inhibitor, in rats using quantitative whole-body autoradiography.

N-[(3-fluorophenyl)methyl]glycyl-N-[3-[((3-aminophenyl)sulfonyl)- 2-(aminophenyl)amino]-(1S,2S)-2-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)propyl]- 3-methyl-L-valinamide (DPC 681, DPC(1)) on oral coadministration with ritonavir (RTV) in rats caused a significant increase in systemic exposure to DPC. Following a single oral dose of [(14)C]DPC with and without RTV pretreatment in rats, and subsequent analysis of whole-body sections, prepared at 1 and 7 or 8 h postdose, using whole-body autoradiography showed an increase in radioactivity in tissues (e.g., brain, and testes) upon coadministration. The distribution of radioactivity in the brain parenchyma and ventricles was different, such that the concentration of radioactivity was greater in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) than in central nervous system. Thus, the use of CSF concentration of the total radioactivity as a surrogate for brain penetration would result in an overestimation. DPC was determined to be metabolized prominently by rCYP3A4. The increased tissue exposure to DPC in rats could largely be attributed to inhibition of CYP3A1/2 by RTV. DPC was also a good substrate for P-glycoprotein (Pgp), with K(m) of 4 microM and V(max) of 13 pmol/min. The Pgp-mediated transport of DPC across Caco-2 cells was readily saturated at >or=10 microM and was inhibited significantly by RTV at 5 to 10 microM. The data above and the reported RTV concentrations suggested that both the Pgp and CYP3A4 inhibition by RTV may play a significant role in enhancing the systemic and tissue exposure to DPC in humans.
Uncovering Atrial Fibrillation Beyond Short-Term Monitoring in Cryptogenic Stroke Patients: Three-Year Results From the Cryptogenic Stroke and Underlying Atrial Fibrillation Trial

Background—Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be a cause of previously diagnosed cryptogenic stroke. However, AF can be paroxysmal and asymptomatic, thereby making detection with routine ECG methods difficult. Oral anticoagulation is highly effective in reducing recurrent stroke in patients with AF, but its initiation is dependent on the detection of AF. Cryptogenic Stroke and Underlying Atrial Fibrillation (CRYSTAL AF) is the first randomized study to report the detection of AF in cryptogenic stroke patients using continuous long-term monitoring via insertable cardiac monitors (ICM). Methods and Results—Patients with prior cryptogenic stroke were randomized to control (n=220) or ICM (n=221) and followed for ⩽36 months. Cumulative AF detection rates in the ICM arm increased progressively during this period (3.7%, 8.9%, 12.4%, and 30.0% at 1, 6, 12, and 36 months, respectively), but remained low in the control arm (3.0% at 36 months). This resulted in oral anticoagulation prescription in 94.7% of ICM patients with AF detected at 6 months, 96.6% at 12 months, and 90.5% at 36 months. Among ICM patients with AF detected, the median time to AF detection was 8.4 months, 81.0% of first AF episodes were asymptomatic, and 94.9% had at least 1 day with >6 minutes of AF. Conclusions—Three-year monitoring by ICM in cryptogenic stroke patients demonstrated a significantly higher AF detection rate compared with routine care. Given the frequency of asymptomatic first episodes and the long median time to detection, these findings highlight the limitations of using traditional AF detection methods. The majority of patients with AF were prescribed oral anticoagulation therapy. Clinical Trial Registration—Clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT00924638.
Measuring sensation in the feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES (1) To determine the test-retest reliability of monofilaments pressed against the skin as a method of assessing sensation in the feet of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in controls using two grades of monofilaments; (2) to determine the stability of findings over 6 weeks; and (3) to calculate initial estimates of frequency of loss of sensation and to investigate its association with disease status. METHOD Clinical examination of the feet was undertaken in 51 patients with RA and 20 normal controls. Six sites on each foot were tested twice with both 10 g and 3 g research grade monofilaments and this was repeated after 6 weeks. Disease status was measured using the Disease Activity Score, the Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analogue scales of pain, and the acute phase response using erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plasma viscosity. RESULTS Reproducibility was high for 3 g (kappa=0.73) and 10 g (kappa=0.75) monofilaments. The best balance between sensitivity (58.8%) and specificity (87.5%) for distinguishing the feet of patients from the feet of controls was using the 3 g filament and defining reduced protective sensation as being sensitive to less than 11 of 12 applications. Using this definition, the prevalence of reduced protective sensation is 59% in the patient group and 12.5% in the feet of controls. There was some variation in sensation over 6 weeks in the patient group, but this was not related to measures of clinical status. CONCLUSION The use of monofilaments in assessing sensation levels in the RA foot is repeatable and reproducible over a six-week period and requires only a short time to perform. The frequency of reduced sensation in the feet of patients with RA was greater than previously reported. Future studies should assess relationships with disease duration and inflammatory status.
Tetrachoric correlation of bilateral nonmetric traits: a defect in the conventional procedure and a proposal for two alternative estimation methods

The individual-count method of bilateral nonmetric traits has been widely used despite its apparent defects in both theory and practice. Logically, its use means adopting the false concept of ‘two thresholds’ based on the single-liability model. This conceptual defect can create actual problems, in cluding that of conventional ‘tetrachoric correlation. ’ The correlation coefficient calculated by formally applying the tetrachoric procedure to the individual-count frequencies is mathematically meaningless because there exists no true liability and threshold that can explain such data. Moreover, it considerably underestimates the correlation if it is used as the estimate of the correlation between the individual-specific components of liability because it neglects the contribution of the inter-side component in the variance of total liability. Two statistical methods are proposed to estimate the correlation coefficient between inter-individual components of liability and its confidence interval. Some selected data from the database published by Ossenberg on the Internet were used to illustrate the utility of the new methods and to examine the problem of the conventional method. The method of estimation of the correlation between the inter-individual components of liability based on the combination of two dual-liability mod els provided, as a by-product, substantial support for the standard threshold model based on data. Be cause the conventional ‘tetrachoric correlations’ proved to seriously underestimate the correlations, the results of almost all studies using Mahalanobis distances based on nonmetric traits so far published may require re-evaluation. It is also argued that a fundamental problem exists in the use of the individu -al-count method itself. Adopting an incorrect method for maintaining comparability is a vicious cycle. It is necessary to emphasize improving the reliability of future studies based on true statistics rather than keeping the comparability between less reliable results based on the false concept of threshold.
Inhibition of Histone Deacetylases 1 and 6 Enhances Cytarabine-Induced Apoptosis in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells

Background Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a challenging disease to treat even with intensified cytarabine-based chemotherapy. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) have been reported to be promising therapeutic targets for treating AML. However, HDAC family members that are involved in chemotherapy sensitivities remain unknown. In this study, we sought to identify members of the HDAC family that are involved in cytarabine sensitivities, and to select the optimal HDACI that is most efficacious when combined with cytarabine for treating children with AML. Methodology Expression profiles of classes I, II, and IV HDACs in 4 pediatric AML cell lines were determined by Western blotting. Inhibition of class I HDACs by different HDACIs was measured post immnunoprecipitation. Individual down-regulation of HDACs in pediatric AML cells was performed with lentiviral shRNA. The effects of cytarabine and HDACIs on apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Results Treatments with structurally diverse HDACIs and HDAC shRNA knockdown experiments revealed that down-regulation of both HDACs 1 and 6 is critical in enhancing cytarabine-induced apoptosis in pediatric AML, at least partly mediated by Bim. However, down-regulation of HDAC2 may negatively impact cytarabine sensitivities in the disease. At clinically achievable concentrations, HDACIs that simultaneously inhibited both HDACs 1 and 6 showed the best anti-leukemic activities and significantly enhanced cytarabine-induced apoptosis. Conclusion Our results further confirm that HDACs are bona fide therapeutic targets for treating pediatric AML and suggest that pan-HDACIs may be more beneficial than isoform-specific drugs.