Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Investigating emotion in moral cognition: a review of evidence from functional neuroimaging and neuropsychology.

INTRODUCTION Human moral decision-making has long been a topic of philosophical debate, and, more recently, a topic for empirical investigation. Central to this investigation is the extent to which emotional processes underlie our decisions about moral right and wrong. Neuroscience offers a unique perspective on this question by addressing whether brain regions associated with emotional processing are involved in moral cognition. METHOD We conduct a narrative review of neuroscientific studies focused on the role of emotion in morality. Specifically, we describe evidence implicating the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMPC), a brain region known to be important for emotional processing. RESULTS Functional imaging studies demonstrate VMPC activation during tasks probing moral cognition. Studies of clinical populations, including patients with VMPC damage, reveal an association between impairments in emotional processing and impairments in moral judgement and behaviour. CONCLUSIONS Considered together, these studies indicate that not only are emotions engaged during moral cognition, but that emotions, particularly those mediated by VMPC, are in fact critical for human morality.
Age-Dependent Decrease and Alternative Splicing of Methionine Synthase mRNA in Human Cerebral Cortex and an Accelerated Decrease in Autism

The folate and vitamin B12-dependent enzyme methionine synthase (MS) is highly sensitive to cellular oxidative status, and lower MS activity increases production of the antioxidant glutathione, while simultaneously decreasing more than 200 methylation reactions, broadly affecting metabolic activity. MS mRNA levels in postmortem human cortex from subjects across the lifespan were measured and a dramatic progressive biphasic decrease of more than 400-fold from 28 weeks of gestation to 84 years was observed. Further analysis revealed alternative splicing of MS mRNA, including deletion of folate-binding domain exons and age-dependent deletion of exons from the cap domain, which protects vitamin B12 (cobalamin) from oxidation. Although three species of MS were evident at the protein level, corresponding to full-length and alternatively spliced mRNA transcripts, decreasing mRNA levels across the lifespan were not associated with significant changes in MS protein or methionine levels. MS mRNA levels were significantly lower in autistic subjects, especially at younger ages, and this decrease was replicated in cultured human neuronal cells by treatment with TNF-α, whose CSF levels are elevated in autism. These novel findings suggest that rather than serving as a housekeeping enzyme, MS has a broad and dynamic role in coordinating metabolism in the brain during development and aging. Factors adversely affecting MS activity, such as oxidative stress, can be a source of risk for neurological disorders across the lifespan via their impact on methylation reactions, including epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
Visualizing Sets with Linear Diagrams

This paper presents the first design principles that optimize the visualization of sets using linear diagrams. These principles are justified through empirical studies that evaluate the impact of graphical features on task performance. Linear diagrams represent sets using straight line segments, with line overlaps corresponding to set intersections. This study builds on recent empirical research, which establishes that linear diagrams can be superior to prominent set visualization techniques, namely Euler and Venn diagrams. We address the problem of how to best visualize overlapping sets using linear diagrams. To solve the problem, we investigate which graphical features of linear diagrams significantly impact user task performance. To this end, we conducted seven crowdsourced empirical studies involving a total of 1,760 participants. These studies allowed us to identify the following design principles, which significantly aid task performance: use a minimal number of line segments, use guidelines where overlaps start and end, and draw lines that are thin as opposed to thick bars. We also evaluated the following graphical properties that did not significantly impact task performance: color, orientation, and set order. The results are brought to life through a freely available software implementation that automatically draws linear diagrams with user-controlled graphical choices. An important consequence of our research is that users are now able to create effective visualizations of sets automatically, thus improving human--computer interaction.
Confidence Sets for the Source of a Diffusion in Regular Trees

We study the problem of identifying the source of a diffusion spreading over a regular tree. When the degree of each node is at least three, we show that it is possible to construct confidence sets for the diffusion source with size independent of the number of infected nodes. Our estimators are motivated by analogous results in the literature concerning identification of the root node in preferential attachment and uniform attachment trees. At the core of our proofs is a probabilistic analysis of Pólya urns corresponding to the number of uninfected neighbors in specific subtrees of the infection tree. We also provide an example illustrating the shortcomings of source estimation techniques in settings where the underlying graph is asymmetric.
Patients with an ultrasonographic cervical length < or =15 mm have nearly a 50% risk of early spontaneous preterm delivery.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the value in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery of ultrasonographically measured cervical length measured between 14 and 24 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study examined cervical length by means of a two-stage procedure, transabdominal ultrasonography followed by transvaginal ultrasonography if cervical length was <30 mm. RESULTS A total of 6877 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean cervical length was 37.5 mm. Odds ratios for early preterm delivery (< or =32 weeks' gestation) for patients with cervical lengths < or =10, < or =15, < or = 20, < or =25, and < or =30 mm were, respectively, 29.3 (95% confidence interval, 11.3-75.8), 24.3 (95% confidence interval, 12. 9-45.9), 18.3 (95% confidence interval, 10.8-31.0), 13.4 (95% confidence interval, 8.8-20.6), and 3.2 (95% confidence interval, 2. 4-4.4). For early preterm delivery a cervical length of < or =15 mm had a positive predictive value of 47.6%, a negative predictive value of 96.7%, a sensitivity of 8.2%, and a specificity of 99.7%. CONCLUSIONS A short cervix seen on a second-trimester sonogram was a powerful predictor of early spontaneous preterm delivery (< or =32 weeks' gestation). Nearly 50% of patients with a cervical length < or =15 mm had an early spontaneous preterm delivery, which suggests that clinical trials of interventions (eg, cerclage) in this population are urgently needed.
Peanut Butter and Fatal Fluoride Poisoning: A Case of Mistaken Identity

We report here a case of an adult seeking a late night peanut butter snack who mistook for peanut butter a fluoride containing glass etching compound. The glass etching compound was of a color and consistency similar to peanut butter and was packaged in a similar appearing container. The decedent survived for six hours after the fluoride ingestion. He was admitted to the emergency room in stable condition with severe gastrointestinal symptoms. His condition deteriorated rapidly prior to death with abrupt cardiac arrest and profound hypocalcemia (5.5 mg/dl). Autopsy showed only gastric hyperemia and discoloration with a postmortem blood fluoride level of 19 mg/L.
The EPQ model under conditions of two levels of trade credit and limited storage capacity in supply chain management

An inventory problem involves a lot of factors influencing inventory decisions. To understand it, the traditional economic production quantity (EPQ) model plays rather important role for inventory analysis. Although the traditional EPQ models are still widely used in industry, practitioners frequently question validities of assumptions of these models such that their use encounters challenges and difficulties. So, this article tries to present a new inventory model by considering two levels of trade credit, finite replenishment rate and limited storage capacity together to relax the basic assumptions of the traditional EPQ model to improve the environment of the use of it. Keeping in mind cost-minimisation strategy, four easy-to-use theorems are developed to characterise the optimal solution. Finally, the sensitivity analyses are executed to investigate the effects of the various parameters on ordering policies and the annual total relevant costs of the inventory system.
Ivabradine has a neutral effect on mortality in randomized controlled trials

Background: It has long been a controversial hotspot whether resting heart rate (RHR) is a risk factor or a marker for death. Ivabradine, a specific inhibitor of the If current in the sinoatrial node, is a pure RHR lowering agent. The study was aimed to investigate whether ivabradine would reduce more RHR, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and all-cause mortality than those placebo or beta-blockers. Methods: The authors performed a meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled clinical studies (with 40,357 participants), and 3 studies of those which were ivabradine versus placebo (36,069 participants) and other 5 studies ivabradine versus beta-blockers (4288 participants) were available. The authors compared the association of the RHR reduction with death from CVD causes (2674 in 40,285 participants) and the rate of all-cause death (3143 deaths in 38,037 participants), and assessed improvement in death rates with the use of ivabradine. Results: The change of RHR from baseline to endpoint was 8 to 16 beats/min (bpm) in ivabradine group, 1 to 8 bpm in placebo group, and 4 to 24 bpm in beta-blockers group. In ivabradine versus placebo, the reduced risks of CVD mortality and all-cause morbidity were not significantly (risk ratio [RR] 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91–1.14, P = .737; RR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.92–1.09, P = .992, respectively). CVD and all-cause morbidity were similar for ivabradine versus beta-blockers (RR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.80–1.37, P = .752; RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 0.53–2.60, P = .697, respectively). Conclusions: Ivabradine had a neutral effect on mortality, suggesting that a pure RHR lowering agent did not reduce CVD mortality, all-cause mortality and improve the lifespan.
The Effect of Preparation Size on Efficacy of Smear Layer Removal; A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study

Introduction: Enlargement of the root canal may potentially affect efficient smear layer (SL) removal. The aim of the present in vitro study was to compare SL removal following canal preparation with two different sizes/tapers by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Methods and Materials: A total of 50 extracted human mandibular premolars were decoronated. The teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n=20) and two negative control groups. In groups 1 and 2 the sizes of master apical file (MAF) were #25 and 40, respectively. Coronal part of the canals were flared with #2 Piezo drills in group 1 and sizes #2 to 6 in group 2. Finally FlexMaster NiTi rotary instruments were used to complete canal preparation (25/0.04 and 35/0.06 in groups 1 and 2, respectively). The irrigation protocol consisted of 10 mL of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 1 min followed by 10 mL of 5.25% NaOCl for 3 min. The patency of dentinal tubules was evaluated under SEM with Hülsmann scores. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The number of patent dentinal tubules in coronal third of the group 1 was significantly more than group 2 (P<0.001). However, this difference was not significant for the middle and apical segments. There was a significant difference in the number of patent dentinal tubules between coronal, middle and apical thirds (P<0.05). Conclusion: Increasing the canal preparation size did not lead to better cleanliness of the canal walls and more efficient smear layer removal.
Comparison of immunofiltration assay of plasma D‐dimer with diagnostic imaging in deep vein thrombosis

This prospective study was designed to assess the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value of the NycoCard D‐dimer plasma immunofiltration assay in patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) confirmed by ultrasonography/venography. 84 medical patients were recruited: 43 patients (51%) had proven venous thrombosis, 33 by venography and 10 by ultrasonography. The sensitivity of NycoCard D‐dimer in patients with DVT was 95.3%, the specificity was 22.0% and the negative predictive value was 81.8%. An algorithm including the NycoCard D‐dimer test for the acute management of DVT is proposed. This would enable low‐risk patients to be discharged early from hospital, without imaging or anticoagulant therapy.
The smpB-ssrA Mutant of Yersinia pestis Functions as a Live Attenuated Vaccine To Protect Mice against Pulmonary Plague Infection

ABSTRACT The bacterial SmpB-SsrA system is a highly conserved translational quality control mechanism that helps maintain the translational machinery at full capacity. Here we present evidence to demonstrate that the smpB-ssrA genes are required for pathogenesis of Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. We found that disruption of the smpB-ssrA genes leads to reduction in secretion of the type III secretion-related proteins YopB, YopD, and LcrV, which are essential for virulence. Consistent with these observations, the smpB-ssrA mutant of Y. pestis was severely attenuated in a mouse model of infection via both the intranasal and intravenous routes. Most significantly, intranasal vaccination of mice with the smpB-ssrA mutant strain of Y. pestis induced a strong antibody response. The vaccinated animals were well protected against subsequent lethal intranasal challenges with virulent Y. pestis. Taken together, our results indicate that the smpB-ssrA mutant of Y. pestis possesses the desired qualities for a live attenuated cell-based vaccine against pneumonic plague.
CT-guided 125I seed implantation for inoperable retroperitoneal sarcoma: A technique for delivery of local tumor brachytherapy

Radical surgery is currently the first treatment of choice for retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma (RSTS). However, the prognosis of RSTS remains poor due to ineffective local control and a high incidence of metastasis after surgical resection. Brachytherapy has been shown to safely provide local radiotherapy for numerous types of cancer when used alone or in combination with surgical resection, but has not been well characterized in the management of RSTS. The aim of this study was to evaluate CT-guided 125I seed implantation for local control and pain relief in the treatment of inoperable RSTS. A total of 23 patients with RSTS were treated with 125I implantation. Pain was assessed using a visual analog scale. Other endpoints were evaluated via computed tomography scan or phone call/e-mail records. The occurrence of complications was assessed preoperatively (baseline) and during postoperatively follow-up or until patient succumbed. All patients were successfully treated with 125I implantation. A mean number of 70.87 radioactive seeds were applied in each patient. During the follow-up, two patients were unaccounted for, local recurrence occurred in three patients, five succumbed and complications were observed in sixteen. The patient's VAS score changed from 7.4 preoperatively to 7.6, 2.3, 2.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.4 and 2.5 at 24 h, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after the procedure, respectively. Good local control and significant pain relief after 125I seed implantation was observed in patients with inoperable RSTS. Thus, the present results suggest that this method could be an effective treatment option for patients with inoperable RSTS.
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EFFICIENT ADDER BASED FLOATING POINT MULTIPLIER

In this paper a new idea is proposed to increase the speed of single precision floating point multiplier. In floating point multiplication adders are used at different places. The implementation uses efficient adders for compressing the partial products, adding the exponent and at final stage. First different adders are compared based on the delay and then multiplier is designed using the best adder at each stage. The multiplier and the adder modules have been written in Verilog HDL and then synthesized and simulated using Xilinx ISE 14.5 targeted on the Spartan 3E FPGA. The design is verified using chipscopeproanalyzer. Results show that the multiplier speed can be increased if carry save adder is used for adding the partial products and carry select adder for exponent and at final stage.
Genetic Variation for Resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins in Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract To evaluate resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) toxins, adult female bollworms, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), were collected from four light trap locations in two eastern North Carolina counties from August to October during 2001 and 2002. Females were allowed to oviposit, and upon hatching, 24 neonates from each female (F1 lines) were screened for survival and growth rate on each of three diets: non-Bt diet, diet containing 5.0 &mgr;g/ml Cry1Ac toxin, or diet containing 5.0 &mgr;g/ml Cry2Ab toxin. These screens were designed to identify nonrecessive Bt resistance alleles present in field populations of bollworm. Of 561 and 691 families screened with both Cry1Ac- and Cry2Ab-containing diets in 2001 and 2002, respectively, no F1 lines were identified that seemed to carry a gene conferring substantial resistance to either Cry1Ac or Cry2Ab. Adults from F1 lines with growth scores in the highest (R) and lowest (S) quartiles were mated in four combinations, RxR, SxR, RxS, and SxS. Differences in growth rates of larvae from these crosses demonstrated that there is substantial quantitative genetic variation in eastern North Carolina populations for resistance to both Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab toxins. These findings, in addition to results suggesting partially dominant inheritance of resistance to Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab, are critically important for determining appropriate resistance management strategies that impact the sustainability of transgenic cotton, Gossypium hirsutum (L.).
Exercise and Glycemic Control: Focus on Redox Homeostasis and Redox-Sensitive Protein Signaling

Physical inactivity, excess energy consumption, and obesity are associated with elevated systemic oxidative stress and the sustained activation of redox-sensitive stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Sustained SAPK activation leads to aberrant insulin signaling, impaired glycemic control, and the development and progression of cardiometabolic disease. Paradoxically, acute exercise transiently increases oxidative stress and SAPK signaling, yet postexercise glycemic control and skeletal muscle function are enhanced. Furthermore, regular exercise leads to the upregulation of antioxidant defense, which likely assists in the mitigation of chronic oxidative stress-associated disease. In this review, we explore the complex spatiotemporal interplay between exercise, oxidative stress, and glycemic control, and highlight exercise-induced reactive oxygen species and redox-sensitive protein signaling as important regulators of glucose homeostasis.
Distinct intracellular fates of membrane and secretory immunoglobulin heavy chains in a pre-B cell line

The intracellular fates of membrane and secretory immunoglobulin heavy chains were examined in a pre-B cell line that has switched to the gamma isotype. The membrane form of the heavy chain (gamma m) was rapidly degraded while the secretory form (gamma s) was retained intracellularly in association with BiP. The degradation of gamma m could not be inhibited by ammonium chloride, chloroquine, or monensin suggesting that it occurred in a nonlysosomal compartment. The inability to detect any Endo H-resistant form of gamma m before its degradation suggested that degradation occurs before entry into the Golgi compartment. Degradation of gamma m could be inhibited by incubation at 24 degrees C. In a derivative of this cell line expressing a transfected kappa gene, gamma s formed disulfide linked tetramers with kappa and was secreted, while gamma m, although associated with kappa, continued to be rapidly degraded. These observations suggest that membrane and secretory heavy chain proteins are retained by distinct intracellular mechanisms. Although masking of the CH1 domain abrogates gamma s retention, this domain does not influence the intracellular fate of gamma m.
Nitric Oxide Synthase (nNOS) Gene Transfer Modifies Venous Bypass Graft Remodeling: Effects on Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Differentiation and Superoxide Production

Background—Pathological vascular remodeling in venous bypass grafts (VGs) results in smooth muscle cell (SMC) intimal hyperplasia and provides the substrate for progressive atherosclerosis, the principal cause of late VG failure. Nitric oxide (NO) bioactivity is reduced in VGs, in association with increased vascular superoxide production, but how these features relate to pathological VG remodeling remains unclear. We used gene transfer of the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) to investigate how increased NO production modulates vascular remodeling in VGs and determined the effects on late VG phenotype. Methods and Results—New Zealand White rabbits (n=60) underwent jugular-carotid interposition bypass graft surgery with intraoperative adenoviral gene transfer of nNOS or &bgr;-galactosidase. Vessels were analyzed after 3 days (early, to investigate acute injury/inflammation) or 28 days (late, to investigate SMC intimal hyperplasia). In early VGs, nNOS gene transfer significantly increased NOS activity and substantially reduced adhesion molecule expression and inflammatory cell infiltration. In late VGs, recombinant nNOS protein was no longer evident, but there were sustained effects on VG remodeling, resulting in a striking reduction in SMC intimal hyperplasia, a more differentiated intimal SMC phenotype, and reduced vascular superoxide production. Conclusions—Intraoperative nNOS gene transfer has sustained favorable effects on VG remodeling and on the vascular phenotype of mature VGs. These findings suggest that early, transient modification of the response to vascular injury is a powerful approach to modulate VG biology and highlight the potential utility of NOS gene transfer as a therapeutic strategy in VGs.