Machine-Learning Optimization of Multiple Measurement Parameters Nonlinearly Affecting the Signal Quality

Determination of optimal measurement parameters is essential for measurement experiments. They can be manually optimized if the linear correlation between them and the corresponding signal quality is known or easily determinable. However, in practice, this correlation is often nonlinear and not known a priori; hence, complicated trial and error procedures are employed for finding optimal parameters while avoiding local optima. In this work, we propose a novel approach based on machine learning for optimizing multiple measurement parameters, which nonlinearly influence the signal quality. Optically detected magnetic resonance measurements of nitrogen-vacancy centers in fluorescent nanodiamonds were used as a proof-of-concept system. We constructed a suitable dataset of optically detected magnetic resonance spectra for predicting the optimal laser and microwave powers that deliver the highest contrast and signal-to-noise ratio values by means of linear regression, neural networks, and random forests. The model developed by the considered neural network turned out to have a coefficient of determination significantly higher than that of the other methods. The proposed method thus provided a novel approach for the rapid setting of measurement parameters that influence the signal quality in a nonlinear way, opening a gate for fields like nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, and fluorescence microscopy to benefit from it

Stimulus processing and error monitoring in more‐able kindergarteners with autism spectrum disorder: a short review and a preliminary Event‐Related Potentials study

Deficits in executive functions (EF) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been identified. However, there is limited evidence about patterns of deficits in EF‐related skills, especially at the neurobiological level, in young children with ASD and little is known about how these skills are related to other domains of functioning and symptom severity. In this study, we provide a focused review of EF‐related Event‐Related Potentials (ERP) studies in children with ASD, accompanied by preliminary data for neurophysiological correlates of EF on a child‐friendly Go/No‐go task. We focus our preliminary investigation on ERPs associated with stimulus processing (N2, P3) and error monitoring [error/correct‐related negativity (ERN, CRN), error positivity (Pe)] in 5‐year‐old kindergarteners with ASD and typical controls matched on age, gender and task accuracy. Children with ASD showed significantly greater amplitudes of ERN/CRN compared to matched controls, suggesting heightened response monitoring. The ASD group also showed less distinct inhibitory P3 compared to the TD group, potentially suggesting atypical stimulus processing. In children with ASD, higher autism symptom severity was correlated with larger P3. Better behavioral performance on an EF‐related task was correlated with smaller CRN. Our study is the first investigation to demonstrate the presence of N2, P3, ERN/CRN and Pe in kindergartners with ASD. The potential links between ERP patterns and behavioral and clinical features in more‐able children with ASD highlight the need for further exploration into the functional mechanisms of these atypical neural activities and for more focused behavioral interventions targeting cognitive control and response monitoring.We provide a focused review of executive function (EF)‐related Event‐Related Potentials (ERP) studies in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), accompanied by preliminary data showing significantly enhanced error/correct‐related negativity (ERN, CRN) and less distinct inhibitory P3 in kindergartners with ASD compared to typically developing children. These atypical ERP patterns were also associated with performance on an EF‐related task and autism symptom severity.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142913/1/ejn13580-sup-0001-reviewer_comments.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142913/2/ejn13580.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/142913/3/ejn13580_am.pd

The Role of Experiential Value from Product Presentation on Consumer Responses towards an Apparel Website

Offering enhanced visual images of apparel products on a website, such as alternative views, image enlargement, and views of a product on a model, is important because product presentation has been found to facilitate positive consumer responses resulting from both hedonic or utilitarian value

Distance measurements between 5 nanometer diamonds – single particle magnetic resonance or optical super-resolution imaging?

5 nanometer sized detonation nanodiamonds (DNDs) are studied as potential single-particle labels for distance measurements in biomolecules

Taking Ecological Function Seriously: Soil Microbial Communities Can Obviate Allelopathic Effects of Released Metabolites

Allelopathy (negative, plant-plant chemical interactions) has been largely studied as an autecological process, often assuming simplistic associations between pairs of isolated species. The growth inhibition of a species in filter paper bioassay enriched with a single chemical is commonly interpreted as evidence of an allelopathic interaction, but for some of these putative examples of allelopathy, the results have not been verifiable in more natural settings with plants growing in soil.On the basis of filter paper bioassay, a recent study established allelopathic effects of m-tyrosine, a component of root exudates of Festuca rubra ssp. commutata. We re-examined the allelopathic effects of m-tyrosine to understand its dynamics in soil environment. Allelopathic potential of m-tyrosine with filter paper and soil (non-sterile or sterile) bioassays was studied using Lactuca sativa, Phalaris minor and Bambusa arundinacea as assay species. Experimental application of m-tyrosine to non-sterile and sterile soil revealed the impact of soil microbial communities in determining the soil concentration of m-tyrosine and growth responses.Here, we show that the allelopathic effects of m-tyrosine, which could be seen in sterilized soil with particular plant species were significantly diminished when non-sterile soil was used, which points to an important role for rhizosphere-specific and bulk soil microbial activity in determining the outcome of this allelopathic interaction. Our data show that the amounts of m-tyrosine required for root growth inhibition were higher than what would normally be found in F. rubra ssp. commutata rhizosphere. We hope that our study will motivate researchers to integrate the role of soil microbial communities in bioassays in allelopathic research so that its importance in plant-plant competitive interactions can be thoroughly evaluated

World variation in head circumference for children from birth to 5 years and a comparison with the WHO standards

Objective: A recent review reported that the WHO 2006 growth standards reflect a smaller head circumference at 24 months than seen in 18 countries. Whether this happens in early infancy and to what extent populations differ is not clear. This scooping review aimed to estimate the rates of children in different populations identified as macrocephalic or microcephalic by WHO standards. Methods: We reviewed population-representative head circumference-for-age references. For each reference we calculated the percentages of head circumferences that would be classified as microcephalic (<3rd WHO centile) or macrocephalic (>97th WHO centile) at selected ages. Results: Twelve references from eleven countries/regions (Belgium, China, Ethiopia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Norway, Saudi Arabia, UK and USA) were included. Median head circumference was larger than that for the Multicentre Growth Reference Study populations in both sexes in all these populations except for Japanese and Chinese children aged one month and Indians. Overall, at 12/24 months 8-9% children would be classified as macrocephalic and 2% would be classified as microcephalic, compared to the expected 3%. However at one month, there were geographic differences in the rate of macrocephaly (6-10% in Europe vs 1-2% in Japan and China) and microcephaly (1-3% vs 6-14% respectively). Conclusions: Except for Indians and some Asian neonates, adopting the WHO head circumference standards would over-diagnose macrocephaly and under-diagnose microcephaly. Local population-specific cut-offs or references are more appropriate for many populations. There is a need to educate healthcare professionals about the limitations of the WHO head circumference standards

Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: results from a prospective, longitudinal survey

IntroductionThe classic psychedelic psilocybin, found in some mushroom species, has received renewed interest in clinical research, showing potential mental health benefits in preliminary trials. Naturalistic use of psilocybin outside of research settings has increased in recent years, though data on the public health impact of such use remain limited.MethodsThis prospective, longitudinal study comprised six sequential automated web-based surveys that collected data from adults planning to take psilocybin outside clinical research: at time of consent, 2 weeks before, the day before, 1–3 days after, 2–4 weeks after, and 2–3 months after psilocybin use.ResultsA sample of 2,833 respondents completed all baseline assessments approximately 2 weeks before psilocybin use, 1,182 completed the 2–4 week post-use survey, and 657 completed the final follow-up survey 2–3 months after psilocybin use. Participants were primarily college-educated White men residing in the United States with a prior history of psychedelic use; mean age = 40 years. Participants primarily used dried psilocybin mushrooms (mean dose = 3.1 grams) for “self-exploration” purposes. Prospective longitudinal data collected before and after a planned psilocybin experience on average showed persisting reductions in anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse, increased cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, spiritual wellbeing, and extraversion, and reduced neuroticism and burnout after psilocybin use. However, a minority of participants (11% at 2–4 weeks and 7% at 2–3 months) reported persisting negative effects after psilocybin use (e.g., mood fluctuations, depressive symptoms).DiscussionResults from this study, the largest prospective survey of naturalistic psilocybin use to date, support the potential for psilocybin to produce lasting improvements in mental health symptoms and general wellbeing

The reciprocal relationship between body mass index categories and physical fitness: a 4‐year prospective cohort study of 20 000 Chinese children

Introduction: Body mass index (BMI) categories and physical fitness are associated but the reciprocal relationship between BMI categories and physical fitness has not been investigated. This study aims to investigate the longitudinal reciprocal relationship between BMI categories and physical fitness. Methods: This is a population-based 4-year cohort study in 48 elementary schools. Children aged 6 to 9 years at recruitment were included. BMI categories and physical fitness including handgrip strength, core muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured using standard equipment and protocol. Results: Among 26 392 eligible participants, 19 504 (73.9%) were successfully followed for 3 years. Baseline obesity prevalence was 5.9%. After 3 years, those who were unfit at baseline had an increased risk of obesity (risk ratio [RR] 1.41, 95% CI 1.16-1.71, P < .001) and those who were fit at baseline had a decreased risk of obesity (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.60-0.80, P < .001) compared with moderately fit children. Furthermore, improvement of fitness predicted decreased risk of obesity. Similarly, normal body weight also predicted better physical fitness. The path analysis confirmed a strong reciprocal relationship between physical fitness and obesity. Conclusions: Better physical fitness was prospectively associated with normal weight and vice versa. Physically fit children were more likely to maintain a healthy weight and those with a healthy weight were more likely to be physically fit, which is important for healthy development

Of Mice and Measures : A Project to Improve How We Advance Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Therapies to the Clinic.

A new line of dystrophic mdx mice on the DBA/2J (D2) background has emerged as a candidate to study the efficacy of therapeutic approaches for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). These mice harbor genetic polymorphisms that appear to increase the severity of the dystropathology, with disease modifiers that also occur in DMD patients, making them attractive for efficacy studies and drug development. This workshop aimed at collecting and consolidating available data on the pathological features and the natural history of these new D2/mdx mice, for comparison with classic mdx mice and controls, and to identify gaps in information and their potential value. The overall aim is to establish guidance on how to best use the D2/mdx mouse model in preclinical studies