Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QUANTIFYING MOLLUSCAN BODY SIZE IN EVOLUTIONARY AND ECOLOGICAL ANALYSES: MAXIMIZING THE RETURN ON DATA-COLLECTION EFFORTS

Abstract How does the choice of size metric, specimen selection, and taxonomic level affect the results of macroevolutionary or ecological analyses? Four molluscan data sets are used to address this question as follows. First, the relationships among various size metrics are examined using a morphometric data set of Late Cretaceous–Oligocene veneroid bivalves. Second, the relationship between the size of bulk-sampled specimens and the size of species' type specimens is examined using bulk-sampled bivalves and gastropods from the Coffee Sand (Upper Cretaceous, Mississippi). Third, the same relationship is examined using mollusk-dominated field censuses from the type Cincinnatian (Upper Ordovician, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky). Fourth, the relationship between the size of the type species of a genus and median species size is examined using literature-derived measurements of bivalve type specimens from the recent eastern Pacific continental shelf. Together these data sets provide estimates of the biases imposed by measuring different kinds of specimens and using different methods of estimating body size. The geometric mean of length and height is highly correlated with more complex morphometrically based metrics and is our preferred bivalve size metric. Bulk or randomly sampled specimens are significantly smaller than species' type specimens for the Cretaceous dataset but significantly larger for the Ordovician dataset. Genus' type-species size is an unbiased estimate of median species size. These results suggest that large-scale studies can use the size of the type species of a genus as an unbiased proxy for a type-specimen size of a genus' median species, but that species' type-specimen size is a biased proxy for bulk or randomly sampled specimens. In addition, this study emphasizes the importance of using a single type of measurement within studies and suggests that combining multiple types of specimens (e.g., type specimens and bulk-sampled specimens) could lead to substantive errors.
Rapid effectiveness of minocycline or doxycycline against macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in a 2011 outbreak among Japanese children.

BACKGROUND Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major pathogen causing community-acquired pneumonia in children and young adults. Outbreaks typically occur at intervals of several years. In 2011, a widespread outbreak was associated with macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (MRMP) in Japanese children, often those of school age. METHODS Two hundred fifty-eight children were diagnosed with M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia based on chest radiography, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and antibody titers between January and December 2011. Mycoplasma pneumoniae cultures obtained from nasopharyngeal samples using appropriate broth were subjected to real-time PCR, by which decreases in M. pneumoniae in patients treated with minocycline (MIN), doxycycline (DOX), or tosufloxacin (TFX) were calculated. Mutations of the 23S ribosomal RNA gene that confer high resistance to macrolides in M. pneumoniae were identified by DNA sequencing. RESULTS Among 202 M. pneumoniae isolates from M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia patients, 176 (87.1%) were MRMP. Macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae infection was significantly related to school age (P < .01) and initial administration of macrolides (P < .01). Minocycline or DOX (n = 125) or TFX or levofloxacin (n = 15) was used for definitive treatment of MRMP patients. Minocycline or DOX was significantly more effective than TFX (P ≤ .05) in achieving defervescence within 24 hours and in decreasing numbers of M. pneumoniae DNA copies 3 days after initiation. CONCLUSIONS Macrolides are inappropriate as first-choice agents against MRMP in terms of shortening the clinical course and decreasing M. pneumoniae. Control and prevention of MRMP outbreaks in children require early decreases in M. pneumoniae as well as improvement of clinical findings.
Constitutional nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia with findings resembling kernicterus.

One of the most striking effects of liver diseases upon the central nervous system is the characteristic brain damage (kernicterus) which may occur in infants suffering from severe neonatal jaundice. Although the morphologic features of kernicterus have been known for half a century, there is still no completely satisfactory explanation as to the pathogenesis of the brain lesions. Numerous hypotheses have been advanced stressing the relevance of such diverse factors as anoxia, anemia, antigen-antibody reaction, infection, intoxication, and liver failure. In the attempt to contribute to the clarification of this problem, the clinical and pathologic features of an apparently unique case will be presented. The patient, a 44-year-old woman, was affected by constitutional nonhemolytic hyperbilirubinemia, associated since early infancy with an "extrapyramidal" symptom complex. Post mortem, lesions of the brain were found which are consistent with the pathologic diagnosis of sequelae of kernicterus. The main feature of this case will
Full Length ArticleThe relationship between motor performance and parent-rated executive functioning in 3- to 5-year-old children: What is the role of confounding variables?

It is generally agreed that motor performance and executive functioning (EF) are intertwined. As the literature on this issue concerning preschool children is scarce, we examined the relationship between motor performance and parent-rated EF in a sample of 3to 5-year-old children with different levels of motor skill proficiency, while controlling for age, gender, socio-economic status (SES), and attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomatology. EF was reported by parents of 153 children (mean age 4 years 1 months, SD 8 months; 75 male) by means of the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Preschool version (BRIEF-P). Parent-reported ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Hyperactivity-Inattention subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire3-4. In addition, the children performed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2). Several weak to moderate relationships were found between the MABC-2 Total Score and the EF subscales. Once other variables such as age, gender, SES, and ADHD symptomatology were taken into account, the only BRIEF-P subscale that was associated with the MABC-2 Total Score was the Working Memory subscale. Compared to their typically developing peers, children who are at risk for motor coordination difficulties (6the 16th percentile on the MABC-2) performed poorly on the Working Memory subscale, which confirms the results of the regression analyses. The at risk group also performed significantly worse on the Planning/Organize subscale, however. This is one of the first studies investigating the relationship between motor performance and parent-rated EF in such a young age group. It shows that the relationship between motor performance and EF in young children is complex and may be influenced by the presence of confounding variables such as ADHD symptomatology. 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The influence of individualism and collectivism on Internet pornography exposure, sexual attitudes, and sexual behavior among college students

This study examined associations between individualism/collectivism and exposure to Internet pornography, sexual attitudes, and behaviors. Three parallel surveys of college students in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei show that collectivism correlated more strongly and negatively than individualism with exposure to Internet pornography, attitudes toward premarital and extramarital sex, and sexual permissive behavior. More importantly, our study found that more collectivistic individuals, especially people with high vertical collectivism, were less likely to accept premarital and extramarital sex and engage in sexually permissive behavior. People with the highest individualistic orientation, namely, vertical individualism, were most likely to accept Internet pornography, premarital sex, and sexually permissive behavior. The findings indicate that an egalitarian orientation of people, including those with horizontal individualism, horizontal collectivism, and vertical collectivism, are more likely to abide by social norms and conform to community standard against deviance. On the other hand, people with highly individualistic and hierarchical orientation are more likely to accept social deviance which matches the desire of highly individualistic people to be distinct and unique.
The Association of Colour Flow Doppler Sonography and Conventional Ultrasonography Improves the Diagnosis of Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective: In the present study, we compared the results of conventional ultrasonography (US) and colour flow Doppler sonography (CFDS) with those of US guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and of pathologic staging of resected thyroid nodules, to assess the relative importance of US and CFDS in discriminating malignant thyroid nodules. Subjects and Study Design: We retrospectively reviewed records of 230 patients submitted to US-guided FNAB before surgery for solitary, not hot thyroid nodules. Before US guided FNAB, they were examined with conventional US and CFDS. Conventional US evaluated nodule size, echogenicity, presence of halo sign and microcalcifications. CFDS evaluated the vascular pattern classified as types I, II and III. Twenty-seven patients with inadequate cytology were excluded from this study (11.7%). Results: Two hundred and three patients underwent surgery. At histology a thyroid carcinoma was found in 36 patients (17.7%) and a benign nodule was observed in 167 patients (82.3%). We did not find any difference in cancer prevalence between nodules with a primary tumour size ≤1 cm and those >1 cm (17.6 vs. 17.7%; p = 0.99). A solid echo texture was not statistically significant to suggest malignancy (p = 0.32). Microcalcifications were seen in 83.3% (30/36) of malignant nodules and in33.5% (56/167) ofbenign nodules. These results were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). The type III flow as determined by CFDS was a statistically significant criterion to suggest malignant disease (p < 0.005). The most predictive findings of malignancy on conventional US was the combination of microcalcifications plus the absence of halo sign (sensitivity 75%, specificity 71.9%, p < 0.0001). The combination of an absence of halo sign on conventional US and a type III pattern on CFDS presented the higher sensitivity (83.3%) for malignancy with a specificity of 43.7%. Microcalcifications on US in combination with a type III CFDS pattern showed a lesser sensitivity (80.6%) with an improved specificity (75.4%). In our opinion, the better balanced combination of US and CFDS features was the absence of halo sign plus microcalcifications and a type III CDFS pattern (sensitivity 72.2%, specificity 77.2%). Conclusions: The combination of conventional US and CFDS provides benefits in increasing the screening sensitivity and accuracy in distinguishing malignant thyroid nodules.
Long‐term outcome of vertically acquired and post‐transfusion hepatitis C infection in children

Background and Aim: To determine the natural history of perinatally acquired hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, clinical and laboratory outcomes among 31 children with HCV infection were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen children had acquired HCV by blood transfusion (BT) prior to 6 months of age and 16 had vertically acquired (VT) HCV.
Effects of Field-Map Distortion Correction on Resting State Functional Connectivity MRI

Magnetic field inhomogeneities cause geometric distortions of echo planar images used for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). To reduce this problem, distortion correction (DC) with field map is widely used for both task and resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI). Although DC with field map has been reported to improve the quality of task fMRI, little is known about its effects on rs-fMRI. Here, we tested the influence of field-map DC on rs-fMRI results using two rs-fMRI datasets derived from 40 healthy subjects: one with DC (DC+) and the other without correction (DC−). Independent component analysis followed by the dual regression approach was used for evaluation of resting-state functional connectivity networks (RSN). We also obtained the ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency signal power (0.01–0.1 Hz and above 0.1 Hz, respectively; LFHF ratio) to assess the quality of rs-fMRI signals. For comparison of RSN between DC+ and DC− datasets, the default mode network showed more robust functional connectivity in the DC+ dataset than the DC− dataset. Basal ganglia RSN showed some decreases in functional connectivity primarily in white matter, indicating imperfect registration/normalization without DC. Supplementary seed-based and simulation analyses supported the utility of DC. Furthermore, we found a higher LFHF ratio after field map correction in the anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, ventral striatum, and cerebellum. In conclusion, field map DC improved detection of functional connectivity derived from low-frequency rs-fMRI signals. We encourage researchers to include a DC step in the preprocessing pipeline of rs-fMRI analysis.
Longitudinal analysis casts doubt on the presence of genetic anticipation in heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension.

RATIONALE Analysis of the age of onset in heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPAH) has led to the hypothesis that genetic anticipation causes younger age of onset and death in subsequent generations. With accrual of pedigree data over multiple decades, we retested this hypothesis using analyses that eliminate the truncation of data that exists with shorter duration of follow-up. OBJECTIVES To analyze the pedigrees of families with mutations in bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2), afflicted in two or more generations with HPAH, eliminating time truncation bias by including families for whom we have at least 57 years of data. METHODS We analyzed 355 individuals with BMPR2 mutations from 53 families in the Vanderbilt Pulmonary Hypertension Registry. We compared age at diagnosis or death in affected individuals (n = 249) by generation within families with multigenerational disease. We performed linear mixed effects models and we limited time-truncation bias by restricting date of birth to before 1955. This allowed for 57 years of follow-up (1955-2012) for mutation carriers to develop disease. We also conducted Kaplan-Meier analysis to include currently unaffected mutation carriers (n = 106). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Differences in age at diagnosis by generation were found in a biased analysis that included all birth years to the present, but this finding was eliminated when the 57-year observation limit was imposed. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, inclusion of currently unaffected mutation carriers strengthens the observation that bias of ascertainment exists when recent generations are included. CONCLUSIONS Genetic anticipation is likely an artifact of incomplete time of observation of kindreds with HPAH due to BMPR2 mutations.
Early ambulance initiation versus in-hospital initiation of high dose clopidogrel in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction

Summary Pre-hospital infarct diagnosis gives the opportunity to start anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic agents before arrival at the PCI centre. However, more evidence is necessary to demonstrate whether high dose (HD) clopidogrel (600 mg) administered in the ambulance is associated with improved initial patency of the infarct related vessel (IRV) and/or clinical outcome compared to in-hospital initiation of HD clopidogrel. From 2001 until 2009 all consecutive ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) patients who underwent pre-hospital diagnosis and therapy in the ambulance were prospectively included in our single-centre cohort study. We compared initial patency of the IRV and clinical outcome in patients treated from 2001 until June 2006 (in-hospital HD clopidogrel) with patients treated from July 2006 until 2009 (ambulance HD clopidogrel). A total of 2,475 patients with STEMI were registered; of these 1,110 (44.8%) received in-hospital HD clopidogrel and 1,365 (55.2%) received ambulance HD clopidogrel. Ambulance HD clopidogrel was not independently associated with initial patency (TIMI-2/3-flow pre-PCI (odds ratio: 1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96–1.44); however, it was associated with fewer recurrent myocardial infarctions at 30 days (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.45, 95% CI 0.22–0.93) and at one year (HR: 0.45, 95% CI 0.25–0.80). No difference in TIMI 2/3 flow post-PCI, major bleeding, mortality, MACE – and the combination of mortality and recurrent myocardial infarction at 30-days and at one year was present between the two groups. In conclusion, early in-ambulance as compared to in-hospital initiation of HD clopidogrel in STEMI patients did not improve initial patency of the IRV or clinical outcome, except for a reduction of recurrent myocardial infarction. Therefore, early administration of HD clopidogrel seems to have net clinical benefit for these patients .
Optimal experience: FLOW AS A WAY OF LIFE

Part I. A Theoretical Model of Optimal Experience: 1. Introduction Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 2. The flow experience and its significance for human psychology Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 3. Sociological implications of the flow experience Richard G. Mitchell Jr 4. Flow and biocultural evolution fausto massimini Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Antonella Delle Fave Part II. Varieties of the Flow Experience: 5. Introduction to Part II Mihaly Csikzentmihalyi and Isabella Csikszentmihalyi 6. Bozozoku: flow in Japanese motorcycle gang Ikuya Sato 7. Women, work, and flow Maria T. Allison and Margaret C. Duncan 8. The relationship between life satisfaction and flow in elderly Korean immigrants Seongyeul Han 9. Flow and writing Reed Larson 10. Flow and solitary ordeals Richard Logan Part III. Flow as a Way of Life: 11. Introduction to Part III Isabella Csikszentmihalyi and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 12. Modernisation and the changing context of flow in work and leisure Antonella Delle Fave and Fausto Massimini 13. Ocean cruising Jim MacBeth 14. Flow in a historical context: the case of the Jesuits Isabella Csikszentmihalyi Part IV. The Measurement of Flow in Everyday Life: 15. Introduction to Part IV Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and Isabella Csikszentmihalyi 16. The systematic assessment of flow in daily experience Massimo Carli and Fausto Massimini 17. The quality of experience in the flow channels: comparison of Italian and US students Massimo Carli, Antonella Delle Fave and Fausto Massimini 18. Flow and the quality of experience during work and leisure Judith Le Fevre 19. Optimal experience and the uses of talent Jeanne Nakamura 20. Self-esteem and optimal experience Anne J. Wells 21. Optimal experience and the family context Kevin Rathunde 22. The future of flow Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.
A New 2D Static Hand Gesture Colour Image Dataset for ASL Gestures

It usually takes a fusion of image processing and machine learning algorithms in order to build a fully-functioning computer vision system for hand gesture recognition. Fortunately, the complexity of developing such a system could be alleviated by treating the system as a collection of multiple sub-systems working together, in such a way that they can be dealt with in isolation. Machine learning need to feed on thousands of exemplars (e.g. images, features) to automatically establish some recognisable patterns for all possible classes (e.g. hand gestures) that applies to the problem domain. A good number of exemplars helps, but it is also important to note that the efficacy of these exemplars depends on the variability of illumination conditions, hand postures, angles of rotation, scaling and on the number of volunteers from whom the hand gesture images were taken. These exemplars are usually subjected to image processing first, to reduce the presence of noise and extract the important features from the images. These features serve as inputs to the machine learning system. Different sub-systems are integrated together to form a complete computer vision system for gesture recognition. The main contribution of this work is on the production of the exemplars. We discuss how a dataset of standard American Sign Language (ASL) hand gestures containing 2425 images from 5 individuals, with variations in lighting conditions and hand postures is generated with the aid of image processing techniques. A minor contribution is given in the form of a specific feature extraction method called moment invariants, for which the computation method and the values are furnished with the dataset.
Global trends and refugee settlement in New Zealand

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR 2014) there were approximately 51.2 million forcibly displaced individuals worldwide by the end of 2013—the highest number on record since monitoring of these global trends began in 1993. Of this total number, approximately 16.7 million people were refugees and nearly 1.2 million were asylum seekers. A total of 98,400 refugees were offered resettlement places from 21 countries last year (UNHCR 2014, p. 2). Obtaining refugee status can be critical for people living in protracted and tenuous situations where their safety and security is seriously compromised, as it affords access to critical support and resources from the 142 states signatory to the 1951 Convention and the associated 1967 Protocol (UNHCR 2014). The 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees formally defined a refugee as:
Mutations of the Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Polymerase Gene That Confer Resistance to Lamivudine and 2′-Fluoro-5-Methyl-β-l-Arabinofuranosyluracil

ABSTRACT Administration of either lamivudine (2′-deoxy-3′-thiacytidine) or l-FMAU (2′-fluoro-5-methyl-β-l-arabinofuranosyluracil) to woodchucks chronically infected with woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) induces a transient decline in virus titers. However, within 6 to 12 months, virus titers begin to increase towards pretreatment levels. This is associated with the emergence of virus strains with mutations of the B and C regions of the viral DNA polymerase (T. Zhou et al., Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43:1947–1954, 1999; Y. Zhu et al., J. Virol. 75:311–322, 2001). The present study was carried out to determine which of the mutants that we have identified conferred resistance to lamivudine and/or to l-FMAU. When inserted into a laboratory strain of WHV, each of the mutations, or combinations of mutations, of regions B and C produced a DNA replication-competent virus and typically conferred resistance to both nucleoside analogs in cell culture. Sequencing of the polymerase active site also occasionally revealed other mutations, but these did not appear to contribute to drug resistance. Moreover, in transfected cells, most of the mutants synthesized viral DNA nearly as efficiently as wild-type WHV. Computational models suggested that persistence of several of the WHV mutants as prevalent species in the serum and, by inference, liver for up to 6 months following drug withdrawal required a replication efficiency of at least 10 to 30% of that of the wild type. However, their delayed emergence during therapy suggested replication efficiency in the presence of the drug that was still well below that of wild-type WHV in the absence of the drug.