A social inference model of idealization and devaluation

People often form polarized beliefs, imbuing objects (e.g., themselves or others) with unambiguously positive or negative qualities. In clinical settings, this is referred to as dichotomous thinking or "splitting" and is a feature of several psychiatric disorders. Here, we introduce a Bayesian model of splitting that parameterizes a tendency to rigidly categorize objects as either entirely "Bad" or "Good," rather than to flexibly learn dispositions along a continuous scale. Distinct from the previous descriptive theories, the model makes quantitative predictions about how dichotomous beliefs emerge and are updated in light of new information. Specifically, the model addresses how splitting is context-dependent, yet exhibits stability across time. A key model feature is that phases of devaluation and/or idealization are consolidated by rationally attributing counter-evidence to external factors. For example, when another person is idealized, their less-than-perfect behavior is attributed to unfavorable external circumstances. However, sufficient counter-evidence can trigger switches of polarity, producing bistable dynamics. We show that the model can be fitted to empirical data, to measure individual susceptibility to relational instability. For example, we find that a latent categorical belief that others are "Good" accounts for less changeable, and more certain, character impressions of benevolent as opposed to malevolent others among healthy participants. By comparison, character impressions made by participants with borderline personality disorder reveal significantly higher and more symmetric splitting. The generative framework proposed invites applications for modeling oscillatory relational and affective dynamics in psychotherapeutic contexts. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Beyond the marrow:insights from comprehensive next-generation sequencing of extramedullary multiple myeloma tumors

Extramedullary multiple myeloma (EMM) is an aggressive form of multiple myeloma (MM). This study represents the most comprehensive next-generation sequencing analysis of EMM tumors (N = 14) to date, uncovering key molecular features and describing the tumor microenvironment. We observed the co-occurrence of 1q21 gain/amplification and MAPK pathway mutations in 79% of EMM samples, suggesting that these are crucial mutational events in EMM development. We also demonstrated that patients with mutated KRAS and 1q21 gain/amplification at the time of diagnosis have a significantly higher risk of EMM development (HR = 2.4, p = 0.011) using data from a large CoMMpass dataset. We identified downregulation of CXCR4 and enhanced cell proliferation, along with reduced expression of therapeutic targets (CD38, SLAMF7, GPRC5D, FCRH5), potentially explaining diminished efficacy of immunotherapy. Conversely, we identified significantly upregulated EZH2 and CD70 as potential future therapeutic options. For the first time, we report on the tumor microenvironment of EMM, revealing CD8+ T cells and NK cells as predominant immune effector cells using single-cell sequencing. Finally, this is the first longitudinal study in EMM revealing the molecular changes from the time of diagnosis to EMM relapse.</p

El Valor de la Mujer: A Study of Cervical Cancer in Managua, Nicaragua

This thesis reviews cervical cancer in Nicaragua, analyzing the causes of its prevalence,\ud which lie in strict gender roles, stigmatization of the disease, and structural economic disparities. Responsible for 52% of deaths among Nicaraguan women annually,\ud Nicaragua has the highest cervical cancer rates in Central America. During the time that I spent in Managua, I explored the reasons behind these high rates, interviewing women in the neighborhood of Acahualinca, as well as the local Acahualinca Women’s Health Clinic and the Berta Calderón National Women’s Hospital. With affordable healthcare treatment and a plethora of public and private campaigns raising awareness about cervical\ud cancer, its high prevalence rates were baffling. In this thesis I further explore the facets behind the disease including the gender expectations of women and men, the violent\ud machismo behavior, and the associations of cervical cancer with promiscuity and\ud uncleanliness. Through analyzing these underlying factors that promote cervical cancer, I\ud ultimately seek to provide suggestions for improving both the public and private healthcare systems and decreasing cervical cancer rates in Nicaragua

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus/em> L.) fruit as a pharmacopoeial anthocyanin raw material

Bilberry, the most commonly collected fruit of Polish forests, has not only culinary values, but also proven therapeutic and preventive effects. It is a valuable forest raw material for herbal, pharmaceutical and food companies producing dietary supplements and drugs. The range of applications for bilberry is very wide, and the most important feature of this raw material is the high antioxidant potential associated with anthocyanins content. The aim of the study was to analyze the anthocyanins content in bilberry fruit, determine the time−related variability of this feature and relate the obtained results to pharmacopoeial standards. On selected sample plot, ripe bilberry fruits were collected at five−day intervals. As a preliminary test, dry matter and refractometric index measurement were carried out. Moreover, spectrophotometric determination of anthocyanins content expressed as chrysanthemin (cyanidin 3−O−glucoside chloride) was examined, both in fresh and dried fruits. We found that regardless of the harvesting time, the bilberry fruits with 0.3035−0.7403% anthocyanins content meet the pharmacopoeial norm (0.3%). Furthermore, dried bilberry fruits, containing from 1.0151 to 2.0164% anthocyanins, can also be considered as a valuable anthocyanin raw material, however, the loss in anthocyanins content is 48.956% on average. The period of full usefulness of bilberry fruit in the context of anthocyanins content coincides with the period of their consumption attractiveness, so there is no need to apply separate recommendations for obtaining fruits of this species for medicinal purposes. We found however, that in the second half of the harvesting period, this raw material has a much more stable anthocyanins content than in the first, when it increases significantly

Multiresolution and fast multipole methods for streamer simulations, 42nd European Physical Society Conference

International audienc

post-stroke patients

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of neuromuscular electric stimulation applied to the erector spinae on balance, motor function and functional capacity in patients with stroke in a randomized controlled trial