Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Childhood maltreatment and psychopathology: A case for ecophenotypic variants as clinically and neurobiologically distinct subtypes.

OBJECTIVE Childhood maltreatment increases risk for psychopathology. For some highly prevalent disorders (major depression, substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder) a substantial subset of individuals have a history of maltreatment and a substantial subset do not. The authors examined the evidence to assess whether those with a history of maltreatment represent a clinically and biologically distinct subtype. METHOD The authors reviewed the literature on maltreatment as a risk factor for these disorders and on the clinical differences between individuals with and without a history of maltreatment who share the same diagnoses. Neurobiological findings in maltreated individuals were reviewed and compared with findings reported for these disorders. RESULTS Maltreated individuals with depressive, anxiety, and substance use disorders have an earlier age at onset, greater symptom severity, more comorbidity, a greater risk for suicide, and poorer treatment response than nonmaltreated individuals with the same diagnoses. Imaging findings associated with these disorders, such as reduced hippocampal volume and amygdala hyperreactivity, are more consistently observed in maltreated individuals and may represent a maltreatment-related risk factor. Maltreated individuals also differ from others as a result of epigenetic modifications and genetic polymorphisms that interact with experience to increase risk for psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS Phenotypic expression of psychopathology may be strongly influenced by exposure to maltreatment, leading to a constellation of ecophenotypes. While these ecophenotypes fit within conventional diagnostic boundaries, they likely represent distinct subtypes. Recognition of this distinction may be essential in determining the biological bases of these disorders. Treatment guidelines and algorithms may be enhanced if maltreated and nonmaltreated individuals with the same diagnostic labels are differentiated.
Tour de France versus Vuelta a España: which is harder?

PURPOSE To compare the total exercise loads (intensity x volume) of the Vuelta a España and Tour de France during the last year. METHODS Seven professional road cyclists (28 +/- 1 yr; [OV0312]O(2max): 74.6 +/- 2.2 mL.kg-1.min-1) who participated in both Tour and Vuelta during the years 1997, 1999, 2000, or 2001 were collected as subjects. They wore a heart rate (HR) telemeter during each stage of the two races, and exercise intensity was divided into three phases according to the reference HR values obtained during a previous ramp cycle-ergometer test: phase I (RCP). Total volume and intensity were integrated as a single variable. The score for volume x intensity in each phase was computed by multiplying the accumulated duration in this phase by a multiplier for this particular phase. The total score for Tour and Vuelta was obtained by summating the results of the three phases. RESULTS The total loads (volume x intensity) did not significantly differ between the two races (P > 0.05), despite a significantly longer total exercise time of the Tour (P < 0.05) (5552 +/- 176 vs 5086 +/- 290 min). CONCLUSION The physiological loads imposed on cyclists' bodies do not differ between the Tour and Vuelta, despite the longer duration of daily stages in the former race.
Low-THz Transmission Through Water-Containing Contaminants on Antenna Radome

In this paper, signal reduction due to the presence of water content formed on a radome has been studied at low-THz frequencies. The effect of obscurants on signal reduction has been characterized by measuring the ratio of reflected signals from a reference target through the radome, with contaminant and without contaminant. All the measurements have been compared to theoretical models, demonstrating a reasonable agreement. Water is the most common obscurant in outdoor applications and the main cause of performance deterioration in rainy, snowy, and foggy weather. This paper concentrates on the attenuation caused by different forms of distribution of water as a radome contaminant. Both a thin uniform layer of water and randomly distributed water droplets are studied at 150 and 300 GHz. The results show strong signal reduction due to the presence of uniform thickness of water and higher signal reduction with increasing frequency. However, the measured transmissivity through distributed water droplets, which occur in practice due to the surface tension of water, shows lower transmission loss at the shorter wavelength, due to transmission through the distribution of gaps between droplets.
Energy consumption flow and regional economic development: evidence from 25 economies

Purpose This paper aims to figure out the relationship between energy consumption flow from a new perspective of embodied energy inventory index (EEII) and regional economic growth. Design/methodology/approach The input-output approach has been applied to calculate embodied energy inventory (EEI) and EEII using the data of 25 economies. Meanwhile, cluster analysis and panel data modeling were applied to carry out detailed research. Findings The results of cluster analysis show that there is a roughly negative relationship between EEII and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, although there are some exceptions, such as Russia and Taiwan (Province of China). Panel data model results provide further evidence that there is a negative relationship between EEII and GDP per capita. Population is an important productive factor in the regional economic development. The study showed a positive relationship between EEII and population. Therefore, energy consumption flow is closely related to regional economic development. Originality/value The value of this paper is to use EEI and EEII to comprehensively clarify the energy consumption flow. The advantage of EEII is that it can reflect the energy embodied in fixed assets and infrastructure.
Investigation of the heat characteristic based on the exergy destruction rate for high power density motor

A novel thermal network analysis method is introduced to investigate heat characteristic of high power density motor YJKK-500-4 in the paper. According to the special structure of motor and the related theories, and the influence of the motor cooler, radial ventilation channel, air gap and air flow in the rotor field spider to the motor temperature rise is fully considered, the thermal network model is established. And each node temperature of single motor is solved by energy balance equation. Then the exergy destruction rate in the Second Law of Thermodynamics is introduced to analyze the heat transfer characteristic of each motor component in the paper by the thermal network method. The exergy destruction rate analysis can be used to determine the heat transfer efficiency of the motor components, and can also provide a diagnostic tool for optimizing the cooling effect of the motor.
Kalirin, a Multifunctional Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Is Necessary for Maintenance of Hippocampal Pyramidal Neuron Dendrites and Dendritic Spines

The structures of dendritic spines and the dendritic tree, key determinants of neuronal function, are regulated by diverse inputs that affect many scaffolding and signaling molecules. Nevertheless, here we show that reduced expression of a single gene results in loss of dendritic spines and a decrease in dendritic complexity. Kalirin, a dual Rho GDP-GTP exchange factor, causes spine formation when overexpressed. Reduced expression of Kalirin in CA1 hippocampal neurons resulted in a reduction in linear spine density, with dispersion of postsynaptic density markers and elimination of presynaptic endings. Simplification of the apical dendritic tree preceded simplification of basal dendrites. Pyramidal cell axons were not dramatically altered. Although many factors determine dendrite shape and spine formation, expression of Kalirin is necessary for the normal function of these many regulatory elements.
Can water users’ associations improve water governance in China? A tale of two villages in the Shiyang River basin

ABSTRACT A comparative study of two water users’ associations in the Shiyang River basin, north-west China, shows significantly different understanding and experiences among water stakeholders. Factors other than formal organization appear to be more important in participatory irrigation management. For water users’ associations to play a more significant role in water governance, they have to be context-specific, with better understanding of local perspectives, make strategic use of social capital, and cope with shared and/or conflicting interests among stakeholders.
Neuroimmune Interactions in a Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Psychological stress has been implicated in both the onset and exacerbation of multiple sclerosis (MS). Our research has focused on the role of stress at the onset of MS, using the mouse model Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus‐induced demyelination. Theiler's virus is a natural pathogen of mice that causes a persistent infection of the central nervous system (CNS) and inflammatory immune‐mediated demyelination that is very similar to MS. Our research has shown that restraint stress sufficiently increases corticosterone secretion to cause immunosuppression. Stressed mice develop decreased innate and adaptive immune responses, including decreased chemokine and cytokine responses, to virus, which leads to increased viral replication within the CNS. Higher levels of virus then cause increased later demyelinating disease. These findings may have important implications in our understanding of the interactions between stress and the development of autoimmune diseases induced by infectious agents.
Results of a phase I / II and pharmacokinetic study of vinflunine (VFL) in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) for primary treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

7110 Background: VFL (Javlor) is a new semi-synthetic vinca alkaloid which has shown synergistic effects in vitro againts A549 human NSCLC line when combined with CDDP. Platinum-based doublets are the standard treatment in advanced NSCLC. METHODS The phase I part of this trial was designed to determine the recommended dose (RD) and to study the possible pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction of the combination VFL and CDDP. The RD was established at of VFL 320 mg/m2 plus CDDP 80 mg/m2 on day 1 every 3 weeks; no PK interaction was observed. We describe the results of the phase II part of the study, which was designed to to determine the response rate (WHO) and safety (NCI-CTC) of the combination. RESULTS At the RD 53 patients (41 males, 12 females), median age 57, initial stages IIB 2 pts, IIIB 15 pts and IV 36 pts were treated. Karnofsky performance status was: 100 % 11 pts, 90 % 32 pts, 80 % 10 pts. The median number of cycles administered was 6 [1-8] and the median dose intensities of both drugs are > 97 %. Disease control was achieved in 77 % of the 49 evaluable pts: there were 16 confirmed responses (after external radiological review) (33 %) (95 % CI [20-48]) and 22 stabilizations. In terms of tolerance, among 237 cycles analyzed grades 3/4 neutropenia and anemia were reported in 43 % and 7 % of cycles respectively; 5 patients experienced febrile neutropenia and there were 2 neutropenic infections. Grades 3/4 non-hematological toxicities observed were: fatigue 3.8 % cycles (15.1 % pts), abdominal pain 3 % cycles (9.4 % pts), nausea 1.7 % cycles (3.8 % pts), vomiting 1.2 % cycles (3.8 % pts) constipation: 1.3 % cycles (5.7 % pts), diarrhea and dehydration 0.4 % cycles (1.4 % pts). No peripheral neuropathy grades 3/4 has been observed. CONCLUSIONS Very good results were achieved in terms of dose intensities and toxicity profile. In first line treatment of advanced NSCLC patient, the combination of VFL 320 mg/m2 plus CDDP 80 mg/m2 both given once every 3 weeks is an highly active combination in terms of response rate. [Table: see text].
Thymosin β4 in multiple myeloma: friend or foe

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy characterized by the accumulation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Because of the known involvement of thymosin β4 (Tβ4) in metastasis of tumor cells, we examined the expression and role of Tβ4 in MM disease. In a large patient population, we demonstrated that Tβ4 expression was significantly lower in myeloma cells compared to normal plasma cells and that patients with a high Tβ4 expression had a longer event free and overall survival. The decreased Tβ4 expression was also found in the murine 5TMM model. To study its function, we overexpressed the Tβ4 gene in 5T33MMvt cells by lentiviral transduction. These cells demonstrated a decreased proliferative capability and an increased sensitivity to apoptosis. Mice injected with Tβ4‐overexpressing cells showed a prolonged survival compared to mice injected with controls. In contrast to its role in solid tumors, we found a decreased expression in myeloma cells compared to their normal counterpart and studies with overexpression of the Tβ4 gene indicated a tumor suppressive function of Tβ4 in myeloma development.
Modeling, identification and servo control of magnetic medical manipulator

We describe modeling, system identification and control design for a magnet manipulator. Two of these manipulators, placed on either side of a patient, will articulate their large permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field in an anatomical region (e.g. the heart) as part of a medical navigation system under the remote control of a medical professional. We derive the equations of motion using the Lagrangian formulation; identify motor, amplifier and gear friction characteristics using data from a single manipulator prototype; design the servo control algorithm based on feedback linearization and decoupling followed by H∞ control and test it on the prototype. Developing a mathematical model of the mechanism and using advanced controls algorithms initially take more time than tuning a PID controller. But the resulting design yields much smoother motor torques compared to high-gain controllers, does not excite high frequency dynamics and potentially improves reliability.
Antagonistic roles of full-length N-cadherin and its soluble BMP cleavage product in neural crest delamination

During neural crest ontogeny, an epithelial to mesenchymal transition is necessary for cell emigration from the dorsal neural tube. This process is likely to involve a network of gene activities, which remain largely unexplored. We demonstrate that N-cadherin inhibits the onset of crest delamination both by a cell adhesion-dependent mechanism and by repressing canonical Wnt signaling previously found to be necessary for crest delamination by acting downstream of BMP4. Furthermore, N-cadherin protein, but not mRNA, is normally downregulated along the dorsal tube in association with the onset of crest delamination, and we find that this process is triggered by BMP4. BMP4 stimulates cleavage of N-cadherin into a soluble cytoplasmic fragment via an ADAM10-dependent mechanism. Intriguingly, when overexpressed, the cytoplasmic N-cadherin fragment translocates into the nucleus, stimulates cyclin D1 transcription and crest delamination, while enhancing transcription of β-catenin. CTF2 also rescues the mesenchymal phenotype of crest cells in ADAM10-inhibited neural primordia. Hence, by promoting its cleavage, BMP4 converts N-cadherin inhibition into an activity that is likely to participate, along with canonical Wnt signaling, in the stimulation of neural crest emigration.
IL‐6 and SCF exert different effects on megakaryocyte maturation

Megakaryocytic maturation has two aspects, nuclear maturation and cytoplasmic maturation, both of which are affected by several thrombopoietic cytokines. We cultured murine bone marrow cells separated by BSA velocity sedimentation which contained more immature megakaryocytes with lower ploidy in order to study the effects of rhIL‐6 and rmSCF on the two aspects of megakaryocyte maturation. During culture with rhIL‐6 or rmSCF for 4 d, the megakaryocytes underwent endomitosis, resulting in DNA polyploidization. These two cytokines had different effects on cytoplasmic maturation. Flow cytometry showed that the megakaryocytes cultured with rhIL‐6 became larger and had a more complex intracellular structure than those cultured with rmSCF. Morphological studies showed that the megakaryocytes cultured with rhIL‐6 were larger and more granular, whereas those cultured with rmSCF were smaller and more basophilic. rhIL‐6 promoted cytoplasmic process formation by the megakaryocytes, but rmSCF did not. Analysis of transcripts of PF‐4 and GPllb by RT‐PCR suggested that rmSCF kept more megakaryocytes at the protein synthesis stage than did rhIL‐6. Based on our findings, these cytokines exert different effects on megakaryocytic cytoplasmic maturational events.
Tracking and Specialization of High Schools: Does School Choice Matter?

We analyze the causal impact of choosing for an elite high school on the probability of obtaining a high school degree without study delay using a dataset for Belgium. While general schools offer study programs in all tracks, elite schools specialize and only offer programs in the academic track, preparing students for university education. If students underperform in the academic track, they can switch to a lower track to avoid study delay. For students in elite schools, switching also implies choosing for another school. We account for self-selection and heterogeneity in the treatment effect and derive a small and non-significant average effect. However, we find that there is substantial heterogeneity. Students with a high preference for elite schools experience the most negative effects, resulting in a significantly negative average treatment effect on the treated of -11.6 %points. We show that the same group is also unwilling to switch tracks after they entered an elite school. Despite the negative average effect, we also find heterogeneity among the group of treated students with a substantial fraction benefitting from an elite high school.
Unknown Unknowns: Uncertainty About Risk and Stock Returns

Stocks with high uncertainty about risk, as measured by the volatility of expected volatility (vol-of-vol), robustly underperform stocks with low uncertainty about risk by 8% per year. This vol-of-vol effect is distinct from (combinations of) at least 20 previously documented return predictors, survives many robustness checks, and holds in the United States and across European stock markets. We empirically explore the pricing mechanism behind the vol-of-vol effect. The evidence points toward preference-based explanations and away from alternative explanations. Collectively, our results show that uncertainty about risk is highly relevant for stock prices.
Prediction Model of Conversion to Dementia Risk in Subjects with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Longitudinal, Multi-Center Clinic-Based Study.

BACKGROUND Patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) have an increased risk of dementia. However, conversion rate varies. Therefore, predicting the dementia conversion in these patients is important. OBJECTIVE We aimed to develop a nomogram to predict dementia conversion in aMCI subjects using neuropsychological profiles. METHODS A total of 338 aMCI patients from two hospital-based cohorts were used in analysis. All patients were classified into 1) verbal, visual, or both, 2) early or late, and 3) single or multiple-domain aMCI according to the modality, severity of memory dysfunction, and multiplicity of involved cognitive domains, respectively. Patients were followed up, and conversion to dementia within 3 years was defined as the primary outcome. Our patients were divided into a training data set and a validation data set. The associations of potential covariates with outcome were tested, and nomogram was constructed by logistic regression model. We also developed another model with APOE data, which included 242 patients. RESULTS In logistic regression models, both modalities compared with visual only (OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.83-10.75, p = 0.001), late compared to early (OR 2.59, 95% CI 1.17-5.72, p = 0.019), and multiple compared to single domain (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.62-7.60, p = 0.002) aMCI were significantly associated with dementia conversion within 3 years. A nomogram incorporating these clinical variables was constructed on the training data set and validated on the validation data set. Both nomograms with and without APOE data showed good prediction performance (c-statistics ≥ 0.75). CONCLUSIONS This study showed that several neuropsychological profiles of aMCI are significantly associated with imminent dementia conversion, and a nomogram incorporating these clinical subtypes is simple and useful to help to predict disease progression.
Kif26b controls endothelial cell polarity through the Dishevelled/Daam1-dependent planar cell polarity–signaling pathway

An atypical kinesin, Kif26b, is identified as a signaling effector of the Wnt PCP under Daam1 signaling. Molecular evidence shows that it interacts with Dvl3/Daam1. Kif26b is involved in endothelial microtubule network stabilization and has a crucial role together with the Dvl3/Daam1 complex in establishing endothelial cell polarity.
Extraction Immunocompetent Sections of Agaricus Blazei Murill Polysaccharides by Membranes Technology

The bioactive of polysaccharides have relationship with their molecular weight. Agarcus blazei Murill (ABM) polysaccharides were extracted by membranes technology, and were graded according to the molecular weight using the combined method of microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) membrane modules. The effect of gradation were indicated by the high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC), and lymphocyte proliferations in the different molecular weight ABM at the concentration range of 10 ~ 800 mug/ml were detected with MTT method. The results of the experiment indicated that the MF-UF-NF combined method was effective for ABM, and were remarkably shown to increase lymphocyte proliferation at 100000Da of 100, 200, 400, 800 mug/ml ABM (p<0.001). The proliferation ratio was 258.7%~451.5%.
Effect of antenna gain and group delay variations on pulse-preserving capabilities of ultrawideband antennas

Pulse-preserving capabilities of ultrawideband (UWB) antennas, which are measured in terms of two parameters-the fidelity factor and the pulse width stretch ratio, are analyzed with respect to variations of the antenna gain and the group delay of the radiated field. With the degrees of the gain and the group delay variations quantified by their respective standard deviations from constant values, Monte-Carlo simulations are performed to evaluate the effect of different gain and group delay functions using randomly generated Gaussian profiles. The means and the standard variations of the two performance parameter distributions are monitored and their two-dimensional profiles are specifically obtained for UWB antennas operating in 3.1-10.6 GHz. The analysis also demonstrates the use of the fidelity factor and the pulse width stretch ratio as useful characterizing parameters for UWB antennas