Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recognition and lexical decision without detection: unconscious perception?

Stimulus detection and concurrent measures of stimulus recognition were compared to establish whether perception occurs in the absence of detection. The target stimuli were familiar words (Experiments 1 and 2), nonwords (Experiment 3), or both words and nonwords (Experiment 4). On each trial, either a stimulus or a blank field was presented. Ss first decided whether a stimulus had been presented and then made either a forced-choice recognition decision (Experiments 1, 2, and 3) or a lexical decision (Experiment 4). Both words and nonwords were recognized and discriminated following correct detections (i.e., hits). However, in the absence of stimulus detection (i.e., misses), only words were recognized or discriminated. These qualitatively different patterns of results following hits and misses for words and nonwords suggest that stimulus detection may provide an adequate measure of conscious awareness.
CD46 short consensus repeats III and IV enhance measles virus binding but impair soluble hemagglutinin binding

The binding of a recombinant soluble form of the measles virus (MV) hemagglutinin (sH) to cells expressing hybrid CD46/CD4 proteins was compared to that of purified virus. For binding of both ligands, both CD46 external short consensus repeats I and II (SCR I and II) in the natural order were essential. The addition of SCR III and IV enhanced virus binding but inhibited sH binding. Accordingly, this lowered the ability of sH to compete with MV binding. Antihemagglutinin monoclonal antibodies selectively inhibited the binding of either sH or MV. Thus, sH and MV share a common binding site in SCR I and II but differ in their apparent avidity to CD46 under the influence of SCR III and IV.
A new twist on an old idea part 2: cyclosporine preserves normal mitochondrial but not cardiomyocyte function in mini‐swine with compensated heart failure

We recently developed a clinically relevant mini‐swine model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), in which diastolic dysfunction was associated with increased mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). Early diastolic function is ATP and Ca2+‐dependent, thus, we hypothesized chronic low doses of cyclosporine (CsA) would preserve mitochondrial function via inhibition of MPT and subsequently maintain normal cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling and contractile characteristics. Left ventricular cardiomyocytes were isolated from aortic‐banded Yucatan mini‐swine divided into three groups; control nonbanded (CON), HFpEF nontreated (HF), and HFpEF treated with CsA (HF‐CsA). CsA mitigated the deterioration of mitochondrial function observed in HF animals, including functional uncoupling of Complex I‐dependent mitochondrial respiration and increased susceptibility to MPT. Attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction in the HF‐CsA group was not associated with commensurate improvement in cardiomyocyte Ca2+ handling or contractility. Ca2+ transient amplitude was reduced and transient time to peak and recovery (tau) prolonged in HF and HF‐CsA groups compared to CON. Alterations in Ca2+ transient parameters observed in the HF and HF‐CsA groups were associated with decreased cardiomyocyte shortening and shortening rate. Cellular function was consistent with impaired in vivo systolic and diastolic whole heart function. A significant systemic hypertensive response to CsA was observed in HF‐CsA animals, and may have played a role in the accelerated the development of heart failure at both the whole heart and cellular levels. Given the significant detriment to cardiac function observed in response to CsA, our findings suggest chronic CsA treatment is not a viable therapeutic option for HFpEF.
A multi-stage temporal pooling mechanism for video quality assessment

A multi-stage temporal pooling mechanism is proposed in this paper for improving the prediction capability of an objective quality metric for video quality assessment. The performance of the proposed pooling mechanism is evaluated along with that of traditional pooling mechanisms in terms of linear correlation coefficient and Spearman rank order correlation coefficient on four publicly available video quality databases. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed pooling mechanism can significantly improve the prediction capability of an objective quality metric and can be adopted for predicting the video level quality scores of longer duration video sequences with time varying video qualities.
The effect of telepsychiatric modalities on reduction of readmissions in psychiatric settings: A systematic review

Introduction Telepsychiatric modalities are used widely in the treatment of many mental illnesses. It has also been proposed that telepsychiatric modalities could be a way to reduce readmissions. The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on the effects of telepsychiatric modalities on readmissions in psychiatric settings. Methods We conducted a systematic literature search in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane, PsycINFO and Joanna Briggs databases in October 2015. Inclusion criteria were (a) patients with a psychiatric diagnosis, (b) telepsychiatric interventions and (c) an outcome related to readmission. Results The database search identified 218 potential studies, of which eight were eligible for the review. Studies were of varying quality and there was a tendency towards low-quality studies (five studies) which found positive outcomes regarding readmission, whereas the more methodological sound studies (three studies) found no effect of telepsychiatric modalities on readmission rates. Discussion Previous studies have proven the effectiveness of telepsychiatric modalities in the treatment of various mental illnesses. However, in the present systematic review we were unable to find an effect of telepsychiatric modalities on the rate of readmission. Some studies found a reduced rate of readmissions, but the poor methodological quality make the findings questionable. At the present time there is no evidence to support the use of telepsychiatry due to heterogeneous interventions, heterogeneous patient groups and lack of high-quality studies.
Physiologic responses and energy expenditure of kinect active video game play in schoolchildren.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the physiologic responses and energy expenditure of active video gaming using Kinect for the Xbox 360. DESIGN Comparison study. SETTING Kirkby Sports College Centre for Learning, Liverpool, England. PARTICIPANTS Eighteen schoolchildren (10 boys and 8 girls) aged 11 to 15 years. MAIN EXPOSURE A comparison of a traditional sedentary video game and 2 Kinect activity-promoting video games, Dance Central and Kinect Sports Boxing, each played for 15 minutes. Physiologic responses and energy expenditure were measured using a metabolic analyzer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Heart rate, oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure. RESULTS Heart rate, oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure were considerably higher (P < .05) during activity-promoting video game play compared with rest and sedentary video game play. The mean (SD) corresponding oxygen uptake values for the sedentary, dance, and boxing video games were 6.1 (1.3), 12.8 (3.3), and 17.7 (5.1) mL · min-1 · kg-1, respectively. Energy expenditures were 1.5 (0.3), 3.0 (1.0), and 4.4 (1.6) kcal · min-1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Dance Central and Kinect Sports Boxing increased energy expenditure by 150% and 263%, respectively, above resting values and were 103% and 194% higher than traditional video gaming. This equates to an increased energy expenditure of up to 172 kcal · h-1 compared with traditional sedentary video game play. Played regularly, active gaming using Kinect for the Xbox 360 could prove to be an effective means for increasing physical activity and energy expenditure in children.
MR of cerebral abnormalities concomitant with primary intracerebral hematomas.

PURPOSE To determine whether arteriolar vessel wall degeneration in primary intracerebral hematomas might be associated with ischemic brain lesions and clinically silent (apparently intracerebral) previous hemorrhages. METHODS The MR images of 120 consecutive patients (mean age, 60 years; age range, 22 to 84 years) with their first stroke caused by a primary intracerebral hematoma were reviewed retrospectively for coexisting ischemic damage and previous bleeds. RESULTS Early confluent to confluent white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, or infarction were present in 83 (69%) of the patients, and 39 (33%) had had previous hemorrhages consisting of microbleeds or old hematomas. Extensive white matter hyperintensities and lacunes were most frequent in patients with thalamic primary intracerebral hematomas. There was no relationship between the frequency of old hemorrhages and the location of subsequent primary intracerebral hematomas. CONCLUSION Clinically silent ischemic lesions and previous hemorrhages are a common finding on MR images of patients with primary intracerebral hematoma. They may therefore serve as evidence of diffuse microangiopathy with a possible increased risk for cerebral hemorrhage.
Controlled safety study of a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier, DCLHb, in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) is a purified, cell-free human hemoglobin solution. In animal stroke models its use led to a significant reduction in the extent of brain injury. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of DCLHb in patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS DCLHb or saline was administered to 85 patients with acute ischemic stroke in the anterior circulation, within 18 hours of onset of symptoms, in a multicenter, randomized, single-blind, dose-finding, controlled safety trial, consisting of 3 parts: 12 doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg DCLHb over 72 hours. RESULTS DCLHb caused a rapid rise in mean arterial blood pressure. The pressor effect was not accompanied by complications or excessive need for antihypertensive treatment. Two patients in the 100 mg/kg group had adverse events that were possibly drug related: one suffered fatal brain and pulmonary edema, the other transient renal and pancreatic insufficiency. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a severe stroke at baseline and treatment with DCLHb (OR, 4.0; CI, 1.4 to 12.0) were independent predictors of a worse outcome (Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6) at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS Outcome scale scores were worse in the DCLHb group, and more serious adverse events and deaths occurred in DCLHb-treated patients than in control patients. We recommend that additional safety studies be performed, preferably with a second generation, genetically engineered hemoglobin.
Dynamic Epigenetic Regulation of Gene Expression during the Life Cycle of Malaria Parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Epigenetic mechanisms are emerging as one of the major factors of the dynamics of gene expression in the human malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. To elucidate the role of chromatin remodeling in transcriptional regulation associated with the progression of the P. falciparum intraerythrocytic development cycle (IDC), we mapped the temporal pattern of chromosomal association with histone H3 and H4 modifications using ChIP-on-chip. Here, we have generated a broad integrative epigenomic map of twelve histone modifications during the P. falciparum IDC including H4K5ac, H4K8ac, H4K12ac, H4K16ac, H3K9ac, H3K14ac, H3K56ac, H4K20me1, H4K20me3, H3K4me3, H3K79me3 and H4R3me2. While some modifications were found to be associated with the vast majority of the genome and their occupancy was constant, others showed more specific and highly dynamic distribution. Importantly, eight modifications displaying tight correlations with transcript levels showed differential affinity to distinct genomic regions with H4K8ac occupying predominantly promoter regions while others occurred at the 5′ ends of coding sequences. The promoter occupancy of H4K8ac remained unchanged when ectopically inserted at a different locus, indicating the presence of specific DNA elements that recruit histone modifying enzymes regardless of their broad chromatin environment. In addition, we showed the presence of multivalent domains on the genome carrying more than one histone mark, highlighting the importance of combinatorial effects on transcription. Overall, our work portrays a substantial association between chromosomal locations of various epigenetic markers, transcriptional activity and global stage-specific transitions in the epigenome.
Notice of RetractionDecomposition Model on Ecological Footprint's Dynamic Variation

A formula about EF was build to calculate environmental pressure from production-based perspective. By using complete decomposition method, economic growth's impact on environmental pressure was divided into three effects: scale effect, composition effect and technology effect. It could quantitatively measure the impact resulted from the changes of economic scale, economic structure and technological level on environmental pressure. Wuhan was selected as an example to illustrate the application of the decomposition model.
From guidelines to hospital practice: reducing inappropriate ordering of thyroid hormone and antibody tests.

OBJECTIVE Because of major technical improvements and conscious care about cost effectiveness, limiting the inadequate use of thyroid biological tests appears to be a major issue. DESIGN To (i) estimate the ordering prevalence of each thyroid test, (ii) assess the prevalence of relevant thyroid tests, and (iii) evaluate the impact of expressing justification for tests during a 2-month intervention period on these prevalences. METHODS During a prospective 2-month survey (June-July 1997), all the request forms were divided into four groups of prescription: (1) investigation of thyroid function, (2) taking drugs affecting the thyroid, (3) monitoring of nodule and cancer, and (4) investigation of thyroid autoimmunity. Their appropriateness was thus determined according to consensus in our hospital and previously published recommendations. Results were compared with those of retrospective similar 2-month periods in 1996 and 1998. Combinations of thyroid function tests and thyroid antibodies were analyzed during the 1996, 1997 and 1998 periods. RESULTS The overall estimated rate of appropriate ordering between 1996 and 1997 increased from 42.5% to 72.4% (P<10(-4)), with a significant improvement in each group of main diagnosis referral, except in group 3 where suitability was always over 85%. However, in group 4, appropriateness remained low (36%). Combinations of thyroid tests revealed an increase in single TSH order forms and single autoantibodies to thyroperoxidase (TPOAb) ones, while TSH+free thyroxine+free tri-iodothyronine and TPOAb+ autoantibodies to thyroglobulin ones decreased significantly. Interestingly, all these changes were maintained 1 year later (June-July 1998) even though physicians were not aware of this new study. CONCLUSIONS Persistent change in medical practice was thus assessed.
Ecological, morphological and genetic divergence of sympatric North Atlantic killer whale populations

Ecological divergence has a central role in speciation and is therefore an important source of biodiversity. Studying the micro‐evolutionary processes of ecological diversification at its early stages provides an opportunity for investigating the causative mechanisms and ecological conditions promoting divergence. Here we use morphological traits, nitrogen stable isotope ratios and tooth wear to characterize two disparate types of North Atlantic killer whale. We find a highly specialist type, which reaches up to 8.5 m in length and a generalist type which reaches up to 6.6 m in length. There is a single fixed genetic difference in the mtDNA control region between these types, indicating integrity of groupings and a shallow divergence. Phylogenetic analysis indicates this divergence is independent of similar ecological divergences in the Pacific and Antarctic. Niche‐width in the generalist type is more strongly influenced by between‐individual variation rather than within‐individual variation in the composition of the diet. This first step to divergent specialization on different ecological resources provides a rare example of the ecological conditions at the early stages of adaptive radiation.
New Trade Models, Same Old Gains?

Micro-level data have had a profound influence on research in international trade over the last ten years. In many regards, this research agenda has been very successful. New stylized facts have been uncovered and new trade models have been developed to explain these facts. In this paper we investigate to which extent answers to new micro-level questions have affected answers to an old and central question in the field: How large are the gains from trade? A crude summary of our results is: "So far, not much. "
The Decellularized Vascular Allograft as an Experimental Platform for Developing a Biocompatible Small-Diameter Graft Conduit in a Rat Surgical Model

Purpose The present study was aimed to assess the feasibility of using decellularized aortic allograft in a rat small animal surgical model for conducting small diameter vascular tissue engineering research. Materials and Methods Decellularized aortic allografts were infra-renally implanted in 12 Sprague-Dawley (SD) adult rats. The conduits were harvested at 2 (n = 6) and 8 weeks (n = 6), and assessed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), van Gieson, Masson Trichrome staining, and immunohistochemistry for von Willebrand factor, CD 31+, and actin. Results Consistent, predictable, and reproducible results were produced by means of a standardized surgical procedure. All animals survived without major complications. Inflammatory immune reaction was minimal, and there was no evidence of aneurysmal degeneration or rupture of the decellularized vascular implants. However, the aortic wall appeared thinner and the elastic fibers in the medial layer showed decreased undulation compared to the normal aorta. There was also minimal cellular repopulation of the vascular media. The remodeling appeared progressive from 2 to 8 weeks with increased intimal thickening and accumulation of both collagen and cells staining for actin. Although the endothelial like cells appeared largely confluent at 8 weeks, they were not as concentrated in appearance as in the normal aorta. Conclusion The results showed the present rat animal model using decellularized vascular allograft implants to be a potentially durable and effective experimental platform for conducting further research on small diameter vascular tissue engineering.
Hemodynamic Effects of a Combination of Octreotide and Terlipressin Patients with Viral Hepatitis Related Cirrhosis

Background: Terlipressin or octreotide given alone has been used as the first-line pharmacological treatment for acute variceal bleeding. In portal hypertensive animals, pre-infusion of octreotide followed by the addition of terlipressin has an additive or complementary effect on splanchnic hemodynamics. The current study was aimed at evaluating such a combination treatment in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo ( n = 11) or an intravenous infusion of octreotide 100 μg/h after an initial bolus of 100 μg ( n = 13). Thereafter, each patient received an intravenous injection of terlipressin 2 mg. Hemodynamic values were measured basally, 30 min after octreotide or placebo, and 60 min after terlipressin. Results: Placebo administration did not affect any of the hemodynamic values. Terlipressin administration resulted in expected changes in hepatic venous pressure gradient, hepatic blood flow and systemic hemodynamics. In contrast, octreotide administration significantly decreased hepatic blood flow but did not affect other hemodynamic values. After terlipressin administration, significant hemodynamic changes were observed that were similar to the hemodynamic changes with terlipressin alone. The magnitude of changes in hepatic venous pressure gradient, cardiac index and systemic vascular resistance were no different between the two groups of patients. The heart rate was significantly lower in patients receiving octreotide plus terlipressin than those receiving terlipressin alone. Conclusion: The current study showed that a combination of octreotide and terlipressin did not exert an additive effect in reducing hepatic venous pressure gradient in patients with cirrhosis. In addition, the systemic hemodynamic changes were comparable between the two groups.
Complex Permittivity Measurements in 1–30 GHz Using a MEMS Probe

An open-ended coplanar waveguide (CPW) structured probe was implemented for the measurement of dielectric properties of liquids using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. The MEMS probe, fabricated on sapphire substrate, consists of an open-ended CPW, where the conducting layers were made using Cr/Al. A dielectric layer using SU-8 was added to protect the metal layer. An aperture at the end of the probe was added where the CPW contacts with the material under test. The size of the probe is 180 μm (width) × 660.2 μm (thickness) × 6000 μm (length), aperture size is 100 μm × 100 μm, and thickness of SU-8 is 10 μm. The permittivities of ethanol-water mixtures measured using the MEMS probe in the 1-30 GHz agreed well with the values presented in the literature. The low cost, small, lightweight, and portable probe described in this paper can be used to measure dielectric properties of very small volume of samples.
Serum antibody response to recombinant major inner capsid protein following human infection with group B rotavirus

Recombinant major inner capsid protein (VP6) of the IDIR strain of group B rotavirus (GBR) was incorporated in a solid-phase immunoassay to access antibody response to infection in humans. Expression of VP6 in insect cells permitted design of a highly sensitive assay that avoided the contaminants present in GBR antigens obtained from fecal specimens. Among patients infected with the ADRV strain of GBR in China, increased reactivity with recombinant VP6 was observed in convalescent-phase sera in comparison with sera obtained shortly after infection (P = 0.0084). Anti-VP6 antibodies were detectable as soon as 7 days after onset of gastrointestinal symptoms, and serum reactivity persisted in specimens drawn more than 1 year after infection. Solid-phase immunoassay with recombinant VP6 was next employed in order to assess anti-GBR antibody in 513 serum specimens obtained from 423 Maryland residents (ages, 7 months to 96 years; median age, 42 years). Four individuals (< 1%) exhibited serum antibodies directed against the recombinant VP6 (ages, 54 to 95 years; mean age, 77 years). Examination of 129 additional serum specimens including some from other geographic regions of the United States failed to reveal the presence of anti-GBR antibody. Anti-GBR antibody was also not detected in any of 131 serum specimens from 60 staff and residents of a nursing home in Switzerland. While infection of humans with GBR has been uncommon in these locations outside of China, the detection of serum antibodies in older individuals in the United States either indicated an unknown, age-related risk factor or may have indicated infection in the more distant past. The availability of these reagents should allow surveys for GBR infection among additional populations that have not previously been investigated.