3,406 research outputs found
Abnormal Perceptual Sensitivity in Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Objective Several compulsive grooming habits such as hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting are collectively known as body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). Although subclinical BFRBs are common and benign, more severe and damaging manifestations exist that are difficult to manage. Researchers have suggested that BFRBs are maintained by various cognitive, affective, and sensory contingencies. Although the involvement of cognitive and affective processes in BFRBs has been studied, there is a paucity of research on sensory processes. Methods The current study tested whether adults with subclinical or clinical BFRBs would report abnormal patterns of sensory processing as compared to a healthy control sample. Results Adults with clinical BFRBs (n = 26) reported increased sensory sensitivity as compared to persons with subclinical BFRBs (n = 48) and healthy individuals (n = 33). Elevations in sensation avoidance differentiated persons with clinical versus subclinical BFRBs. Sensation seeking patterns were not different between groups. Unexpectedly, BFRB severity was associated with lower registration of sensory stimuli, but this finding may be due to high psychiatric comorbidity rates in the BFRB groups. Conclusions These findings suggest that several sensory abnormalities may underlie BFRBs. Implications for the etiology and treatment of BFRBs are discussed
Consistent Factorization of Jet Observables in Exclusive Multijet Cross-Sections
We demonstrate the consistency at the next-to-leading-logarithmic (NLL) level
of a factorization theorem based on Soft-Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) for
jet shapes in e+e- collisions. We consider measuring jet observables in
exclusive multijet final states defined with cone and k_T-type jet algorithms.
Consistency of the factorization theorem requires that the renormalization
group evolution of hard, jet, and soft functions is such that the physical
cross-section is independent of the factorization scale mu. The anomalous
dimensions of the various factorized pieces, however, depend on the color
representation of jets, choice of jet observable, the number of jets whose
shapes are measured, and the jet algorithm, making it highly nontrivial to
satisfy the consistency condition. We demonstrate the intricate cancellations
between anomalous dimensions that occur at the NLL level, so that, up to power
corrections that we identify, our factorization of the jet shape distributions
is consistent for any number of quark and gluon jets, for any number of jets
whose shapes are measured or unmeasured, for any angular size R of the jets,
and for any of the algorithms we consider. Corrections to these results are
suppressed by the SCET expansion parameter lambda (the ratio of soft to
collinear or collinear to hard scales) and in the jet separation measure 1/t^2
= tan^2(R/2)/tan^2(psi/2), where psi is the angular separation between jets.
Our results can be used to calculate a wide variety of jet observables in
multijet final states to NLL accuracy.Comment: 8 pages, 1 figure, uses elsarticle.cls; v2: minor edits, added
reference
Emotion Regulation Deficits in Persons with Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior Disorders
Background
Conceptualizations of emotion dysregulation (ED) and body-focused repetitive behavior disorders (BFRBDs) imply that ED may be a central component of BFRBDs as well as a factor that distinguishes BFRBDs from non-impairing, subclinical body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs). The current study empirically tested these observations.
Methods
One hundred thirty-eight undergraduates (of 1900 who completed a screening survey) completed self-report measures assessing four emotion regulation (ER) deficits hypothesized to underlie ED (alexithymia, maladaptive emotional reactivity, experiential avoidance, and response inhibition when distressed); 34 of these participants had BFRBDs, 64 had subclinical BFRBs, and 42 were unaffected by BFRBs.
Results
Results indicated that participants with BFRBDs reported higher levels of maladaptive emotional reactivity, experiential avoidance, and response inhibition when distressed than participants with subclinical BFRBs and participants unaffected by BFRBs. These results held even when controlling for comorbidity and total number of reported BFRBs. Participants did not differ on alexithymia.
Limitations
Limitations of the current study include the BFRB groups’ different distributions of BFRB types (e.g., hair pulling versus skin picking), the sample\u27s demographic uniformity, and the fact that negative affectivity was not controlled when exploring BFRB group differences on ER deficits. Future research should improve on these limitations.
Conclusions
The current results suggest that ED is a factor that differentiates BFRBDs from subclinical BFRBs. Such results may be useful for generating hypotheses regarding mechanisms responsible for BFRBs’ development into BFRBDs. Furthermore, these results may provide insight into factors that explain the efficacy of more contemporary behavioral treatments for BFRBDs
Condensin II Promotes the Formation of Chromosome Territories by Inducing Axial Compaction of Polyploid Interphase Chromosomes
The eukaryotic nucleus is both spatially and functionally partitioned. This organization contributes to the maintenance, expression, and transmission of genetic information. Though our ability to probe the physical structure of the genome within the nucleus has improved substantially in recent years, relatively little is known about the factors that regulate its organization or the mechanisms through which specific organizational states are achieved. Here, we show that Drosophila melanogaster Condensin II induces axial compaction of interphase chromosomes, globally disrupts interchromosomal interactions, and promotes the dispersal of peri-centric heterochromatin. These Condensin II activities compartmentalize the nucleus into discrete chromosome territories and indicate commonalities in the mechanisms that regulate the spatial structure of the genome during mitosis and interphase
Influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team
This study examined the influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team. Performance in forty-five French League 1 matches played over three competitive seasons (2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10) was analysed using multi-camera computerised tracking. Players (n=21) in the reference team (using a 4-3-3/4-5-1 formation) were analysed in matches against three opposition team formations: 4-4-2 (11 games), 4-3-3/4-5-1 (16 games) and 4-2-3-1 (18 games). Performance was compared for defending and midfield units as a whole and individually across four positions: fullbacks, central-defenders and central- and wide-midfielders. Collectively, players covered a greater total distance (p<0.05) and distance in low/moderate-intensity running (0-14.3km/h) (p<0.05) in matches against a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 formation. Distance covered in high-intensity (14.4-19.7km/h) and very high-intensity running (≥19.8km/h) was not affected by opposition formation. In contrast, players covered more distance in total high-intensity performance (≥14.4km/h) when the reference team was in possession against a 4-4-2 compared to a 4-2-3-1 formation (p<0.05) while more distance was run at these speeds when the reference team was out of possession against a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01) and a 4-3-3 (p<0.05) compared to a 4-4-2 formation. Players ran less distance at low/moderate intensities in the second- versus first-half of matches against all three formations (p<0.01 to p<0.05) whereas total distance and high-intensity performance was unaffected. None of the measures of physical performance across the individual playing positions were affected by opposition team formation. Skill-related performance varied according to opposition formation: players as a whole performed more passes versus a 4-4-2 than a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01), ground and aerial duels versus a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 (both p<0.01); 1-touch passes versus a 4-2-3-1 compared to a 4-4-2 (p<0.01) and a 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.05). The mean number of touches per possession was highest versus a 4-4-2 compared to a 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.01) and a 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01). While skill-related performance across the four individual playing positions was generally unaffected by opposition team formation, mean pass length was greater in central-midfielders against a 4-4-2 compared to 4-3-3/4-5-1 (p<0.05) and 4-2-3-1 (p<0.01) formations. In general, these findings suggest that physical performance in the reference team was not greatly affected by opposition team formation. In contrast, skill-related demands varied substantially according to opponent formation and may have consequences for tactical and technical preparation and team selection policies
High-sensitivity dual-comb and cross-comb spectroscopy across the infrared using a widely-tunable and free-running optical parametric oscillator
Coherent dual-comb spectroscopy (DCS) is a form of Fourier transform
spectroscopy that enables high-resolution measurements at high speeds without
the trade-off between resolution and update rate inherent to mechanical delay
scanning. However, high complexity of the optical system and limited
sensitivity of the measurements remain major challenges for deploying broadband
DCS in the short-wave infrared (SWIR, 1.4-3 um) and mid-infrared (mid-IR, >3
um) regions where many molecules have strong absorption bands. We address these
challenges via a wavelength-tunable dual-comb optical parametric oscillator
(OPO) combined with a new detection method. Both OPO pump beams are generated
in a single spatially-multiplexed laser cavity, while both signal and idler
beams are generated in a single spatially-multiplexed OPO cavity. The
near-common-path of the beams in each cavity ensures that even in free-running
operation the noise sources of the two combs are highly correlated,
facilitating comb-line-resolved and aliasing-free measurements with 250-MHz
spectral resolution. At an instantaneous bandwidth below 1 THz, high power per
comb line of up to 70 uW (signal) and 150 uW (idler) is achieved. The
accessible spectrum spans 1290 nm to 1670 nm (signal) and 2700 nm to 5160 nm
(idler). In a SWIR DCS measurement, we achieve a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of
33 dB Hz^1/2. For mid-IR measurements, we introduce a novel cross-comb
spectroscopy implementation to overcome limitations posed by traditional mid-IR
detection, obtaining a record-high SNR of 41 dB Hz^1/2. Our results are a
promising route towards dual-comb spectroscopy with high sensitivity and high
resolution over a wide spectral range
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Effect of Combination Folic Acid, Vitamin B6 , and Vitamin B12 Supplementation on Fracture Risk in Women: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.
Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association of elevated plasma homocysteine levels with greater bone resorption and fracture risk. Vitamins B12 , B6 , and folic acid are cofactors in homocysteine metabolism, and supplementation with B vitamins is effective in lowering homocysteine levels in humans. However, randomized trials of supplemental B vitamins for reduction of fracture risk have been limited. Therefore, we performed an ancillary study to the Women's Antioxidant and Folic Acid Cardiovascular Study (WAFACS), a large randomized trial of women with preexisting cardiovascular disease or three or more coronary risk factors, to test whether a daily B vitamin intervention including folic acid (2.5 mg/day), vitamin B6 (50 mg/day), and vitamin B12 (1 mg/day) reduces nonspine fracture risk over 7.3 years of treatment and follow-up. Among 4810 women, we confirmed 349 nonspine fracture cases by centralized review of medical records. In a substudy of 300 women (150 in treatment group and 150 controls) with paired plasma samples at randomization and follow-up (7.3 years later), we measured two bone turnover markers, including C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and intact type I procollagen N-propeptide (P1NP). In Cox proportional hazards models based on intention-to-treat, we found no significant effects of B vitamin supplementation on nonspine fracture risk (relative hazard = 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.34). In a nested case-cohort analysis, there were no significant effects of B vitamins on fracture risk among women with elevated plasma homocysteine levels, or low levels of vitamins B12 or B6 , or folate at baseline. Furthermore, treatment with B vitamins had no effect on change in markers of bone turnover. We found no evidence that daily supplementation with B vitamins reduces fracture risk or rates of bone metabolism in middle-aged and older women at high risk of cardiovascular disease. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Non-global Structure of the O({\alpha}_s^2) Dijet Soft Function
High energy scattering processes involving jets generically involve matrix
elements of light- like Wilson lines, known as soft functions. These describe
the structure of soft contributions to observables and encode color and
kinematic correlations between jets. We compute the dijet soft function to
O({\alpha}_s^2) as a function of the two jet invariant masses, focusing on
terms not determined by its renormalization group evolution that have a
non-separable dependence on these masses. Our results include non-global single
and double logarithms, and analytic results for the full set of non-logarithmic
contributions as well. Using a recent result for the thrust constant, we
present the complete O({\alpha}_s^2) soft function for dijet production in both
position and momentum space.Comment: 55 pages, 8 figures. v2: extended discussion of double logs in the
hard regime. v3: minor typos corrected, version published in JHEP. v4: typos
in Eq. (3.33), (3.39), (3.43) corrected; this does not affect the main
result, numerical results, or conclusion
Enhanced Nonperturbative Effects in Z Decays to Hadrons
We use soft collinear effective field theory (SCET) to study nonperturbative
strong interaction effects in Z decays to hadronic final states that are
enhanced in corners of phase space. These occur, for example, in the jet energy
distribution for two jet events near E_J=M_Z/2, the thrust distribution near
unity and the jet invariant mass distribution near zero. The extent to which
such nonperturbative effects for different observables are related is
discussed.Comment: 17 pages. Paper reorganized, and more discussion and results include
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