Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effect of recognizability on figure–ground processing: Does it affect parsing or only figure selection?

Though figure–ground assignment has been shown to be probably affected by recognizability, it appears sensible that object recognition must follow at least the earlier process of figure–ground segregation. To examine whether or not rudimentary object recognition could, counterintuitively, start even before the completion of the stage of parsing in which figure–ground segregation is done, participants were asked to respond, in a go/no-go fashion, whenever any out of 16 alternative connected patterns (that constituted familiar stimuli in the upright orientation) appeared. The white figure of the to-be-attended stimulus—target or foil—could be segregated from the white ambient ground only by means of a frame surrounding it. Such a frame was absent until the onset of target display. Then, to manipulate organizational quality, the greyness of the frame was either gradually increased from zero (in Experiment 1) or changed abruptly to a stationary level whose greyness was varied between trials (in Experiments 2 and 3). Stimulus recognizability was manipulated by orientation angle. In all three experiments the effect of recognizability was found to be considerably larger when organizational quality was minimal due to an extremely faint frame. This result is argued to be incompatible with any version of a serial thesis suggesting that processing aimed at object recognition starts only with a good enough level of organizational quality. The experiments rather provide some support to the claim, termed here “early interaction hypothesis”, positing interaction between early recognition processing and preassignment parsing processes.
Transvalvular Impedance (TVI) Recording Under Electrical and Pharmocological Cardiac Stimulation

The cardiac electric impedance was recorded between right atrium and ventricle, throughout the cardiac cycle, by means of a tripolar single pass lead for VDD pacing. The transvalvular impedance signal (TVI) is a sharp periodic wave, with high signal‐to‐noise ratio, that is detected exclusively in the presence of cardiac mechanical activity. The minimum TVI value is attained during the atrial systole, the maximum at the end of ventricular systole. Different parameters of TVI waveform are affected by changes in the inotropic state, and could therefore be proposed as potential signals for new rate responsive algorithms based on the correlation between inotropic and chronotropic regulation. The signal might be used, moreover, for pacing and sensing validation in autoregulating pacemakers and for fibrillation recognition in ICDs.
Extended Daily Dialysis Versus Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy for Acute Kidney Injury: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Extended daily dialysis (EDD) has been suggested as an effective renal replacement therapy for acute kidney injury. However, results from studies comparing EDD to continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) are inconclusive. STUDY DESIGN A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching in MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and a Chinese database (SinsoMed). SETTING & POPULATION Patients with acute kidney injury. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included. EDD was defined as extended hemodialysis or hemodiafiltration for more than 6 but less than 24 hours per session using a conventional hemodialysis machine. INTERVENTION Renal replacement therapy comparing EDD with CRRT. OUTCOMES Mortality, kidney recovery, and fluid removal. RESULTS We included 17 studies from 2000 to 2014: 7 RCTs and 10 observational studies involving 533 and 675 patients, respectively. Meta-analysis of RCTs showed no difference in mortality rates between EDD and CRRT (relative risk, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.74-1.11; P=0.3). However, EDD was associated with lower mortality risk compared with CRRT in observational studies (relative risk, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.74-1.00; P=0.05). There was no evidence of heterogeneity in RCTs (I(2)=0%) or observational studies (I(2)=15%). In both RCTs and observational studies, there were no significant differences in recovery of kidney function, fluid removal, or days in the intensive care unit, and EDD showed similar biochemical efficacy to CRRT during treatment (serum urea, serum creatinine, and serum phosphate). LIMITATIONS The survival benefit of EDD is dependent on only observational studies and might have been affected by allocation or selection bias. CONCLUSIONS EDD is associated with similar outcomes to CRRT in RCTs. The finding that EDD is associated with a lower mortality rate relies on data from observational studies, which are potentially subject to allocation or selection bias, making further high-quality RCTs desirable.
Quantitative analysis of the fall-risk assessment test with wearable inertia sensors

We performed a quantitative analysis of the fall-risk assessment test using a wearable inertia sensor focusing on two tests: the time up and go (TUG) test and the four square step test (FSST). These tests consist of various daily activities, such as sitting, standing, walking, stepping, and turning. The TUG test was performed by subjects at low and high fall risk, while FSST was performed by healthy elderly and hemiplegic patients with high fall risk. In general, the total performance time of activities was evaluated. Clinically, it is important to evaluate each activity for further training and management. The wearable sensor consisted of an accelerometer and angular velocity sensor. The angular velocity and angle of pitch direction were used for TUG evaluation, and those in the pitch and yaw directions at the thigh were used for FSST. Using the threshold of the angular velocity signal, we classified the phase corresponding to each activity. We then observed the characteristics of each activity and recommended suitable training and management. The wearable sensor can be used for more detailed evaluation in fall risk management. The wearable sensor can be used more detailed evaluation for fall-risk management test.
Valid Facial Cues to Cooperation and Trust

Decisions about whom to trust are biased by stable facial traits such as attractiveness, similarity to kin, and perceived trustworthiness. Research addressing the validity of facial trustworthiness or its basis in facial features is scarce, and the results have been inconsistent. We measured male trustworthiness operationally in trust games in which participants had options to collaborate for mutual financial gain or to exploit for greater personal gain. We also measured facial (bizygomatic) width (scaled for face height) because this is a sexually dimorphic, testosterone-linked trait predictive of male aggression. We found that men with greater facial width were more likely to exploit the trust of others and that other players were less likely to trust male counterparts with wide rather than narrow faces (independent of their attractiveness). Moreover, manipulating this facial-width ratio with computer graphics controlled attributions of trustworthiness, particularly for subordinate female evaluators.
Non‐transferrin‐bound iron induced by myeloablative chemotherapy

Previous studies have suggested that non‐transferrin‐bound plasma iron (NTBI) is present in patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, and that this may exacerbate untoward organ damage and increase the risk of bacterial infections following chemotherapy. However, the source of NTBI during myelosuppressive chemotherapy is controversial. In this study we have examined the kinetics of the appearance and disappearance of NTBI with chemotherapy. NTBI was present in only two out of 24 patients prior to chemotherapy but, following chemotherapy, was present in 19 patients, with peak NTBI levels at 5 d after onset of chemotherapy (mean 3.06 μm). Thereafter levels fell, but were still detectable in seven patients 14 d after the end of chemotherapy. The appearance of NTBI was associated with a sudden rise in transferrin saturation, but NTBI was detected on four occasions in the absence of full transferrin saturation. We have also established that daunorubicin cannot itself liberate NTBI from serum. There was no relationship between induced NTBI levels and serum iron or ferritin levels, previous or current blood transfusions, disease stage, or the type of chemotherapy given. The appearance of NTBI following chemotherapy was inverserely related to the fall in reticulocytes and serum transferrin receptor (TfR) levels, suggesting that NTBI formation is a consequence of suspension of erythropoietic activity.
Make it so: learning from sci-fi interfaces

Interfaces from science fiction films and television offer lessons to interaction designers and other developers of real world interfaces that are humorous, prophetic, inspiring, and practical. Science fiction interfaces are more than fun. They reflect current interface understandings on the part of developers and expectations on the part of users. Production designers are allowed to develop "blue-sky" examples that, while lacking rigorous development with users, coalesce influential examples for practicing designers. Interaction designers can learn from these examples. This presentation will describe some of the insights found from a 5 year mission to all corners of science fiction.
Diabetic embryopathy: Studies using a rat embryo culture system and an animal model

ABSTRACT The mechanism of diabetic embryopathy was investigated using in vitro experiments in a rat embryo culture system and in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic pregnant rats. The energy metabolism in embryos during early organogenesis was characterized by a high rate of glucose utilization and lactic acid production (anaerobic glycolysis). Embryos uninterruptedly underwent glycolysis. When embryos were cultured with hypoglycemic serum, such embryos showed malformations in association with a significant reduction in glycolysis.
Comparison of (001), (110) and (111) uniaxial- and biaxial- strained-Ge and strained-Si PMOS DGFETs for all channel orientations: Mobility enhancement, drive current, delay and off-state leakage

Using the non-local empirical pseudopotential method (bandstructure), full-band Monte-Carlo simulations (transport), self-consistent Poisson-Schrodinger (electrostatics) and detailed band-to-band-tunneling (BTBT) (including bandstructure and quantum effects) simulations, the effect of surface/channel orientation, uniaxial- and biaxial-strain, band-structure, mobility, and high-field transport on the drive current, off-state leakage and switching delay in nano-scale, strained-Si and strained-Ge, p-MOS DGFETs have been presented and the optimum strain and channel/surface orientations for highest drive-lowest delay-lowest leakage have been obtained.
Trauma remains a surgical disease from cradle to grave

BACKGROUND A dramatic rise in nonoperative management of many blunt and some penetrating traumatic injuries has occurred during the past four decades. This trend has lead some to suggest that trauma is no longer a surgical disease. We questioned what role the trauma surgeon plays in the care of the injured patient. We hypothesized that surgical intervention and judgment are still often required in both injured children and adults. METHODS We queried the trauma databases at two academic Level I trauma centers (adult and pediatric) for all patients admitted for trauma who underwent an inpatient operation between July 1, 2009, and June, 31, 2013, as well as those patients with “potentially operative injury. ” Potentially operative injury was defined as the presence of liver or splenic laceration of any grade or hemothorax in patients who did not undergo an inpatient operation. For analysis, we divided patients into groups based on age. We differentiated infants (0–1 years), toddlers (2–5 years), school-aged children (6–12 years), adolescents (13–15 years), young adults (16–21 years), adults (22–40 years), middle-aged adults (41–50 years), late middle-aged adults (51–64 years), and elderly (>65 years). Data collected included demographic information and number of operations performed in each patient based on surgical service (neurosurgery, trauma surgery, orthopedic surgery, and other surgical services). RESULTS During this 4-year study period, 11,611 patients were admitted to the trauma service, 6,334 (54.6%) of whom underwent an inpatient operation and another 492 (4.2%) of whom had potentially operative injury. Across all age groups, orthopedic procedures accounted for the greatest percentage of inpatient procedures (>70% of inpatient operations performed). Neurosurgical intervention accounted for less than 10% of inpatient surgical interventions, and general surgical procedures performed by trauma surgeons accounted for 17.1%. More than half of all general surgical procedures were performed in the patients who required a hospital stay of more than 7 days (67.2% among all patients). CONCLUSION More than half of patients admitted following traumatic injury require operative intervention. This rate remains stable across all age groups. Our data emphasize the continued need for surgeons to stay engaged in the care of the trauma patient, particularly those most critically injured patients who will require prolonged hospital stay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Epidemiologic study, level III. Care management study, level IV.
[Epidemiological survey of dentine hypersensitivity of young people in Chengdu City].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of dentine hypersensitivity of young people in Chengdu city. METHODS The dentine hypersensitivity of 741 cases aged 18-35 living in Chengdu city were surveyed with questionnaire and oral examination by random collection during June to July in 2008. The relative risk factors to dentine hypersensitivity were analyzed. RESULTS 128 cases (17.27%) were diagnosed as dentine hypersensitivity. The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was higher among female than male (P<0.01). Cold was the most common stimulus for dentine hypersensitivity (62.80%). The most common affected tooth was the right maxillary first premolar (15.51%). Acid regurgitation, carbonated beverage, hard toothbrush type and heavy toothbrushing force were risk factors to dentine hypersensitivity. CONCLUSION The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity of Chengdu city's young people is widespread. Acid and incorrect toothbrushing methods can cause dentine hypersensitivity. The correct protective measure to dentine hypersensitivity should be publicized.
Local Control of Extra-Abdominal Desmoid Tumors*†

We analyzed the records and histopathological specimens of fifty patients who had had a previously untreated desmoid tumor. The patients were followed for at least two years (average, forty-eight months). Three patients had a biopsy and were managed with observation only, and three patients had radiation therapy only. Of the remaining forty-four patients, thirty-four were managed with an operation and ten, with an operation and radiation therapy. In the group that was managed operatively without radiation therapy, the resection was wide in thirteen patients, marginal in nineteen, and intralesional in two. At the most recent follow-up examination, there had been no local recurrence in eleven of the patients who had had a wide resection, ten of the patients who had had a marginal resection, and one of the patients who had had an intralesional resection. Thus, twenty-two (65 per cent) of the thirty-four patients had no local recurrence at the time of the latest follow-up. In the group of ten patients who had been managed with an operation and radiation therapy, eight had no local recurrence: the two who had had a wide resection, three of the four who had had a marginal resection, and three of the four who had had an intralesional resection. None of the fifty patients died of the disease.
Vancomycin MIC creep in non-vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA), vancomycin-susceptible clinical methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) blood isolates from 2001-05.

OBJECTIVES To assess whether methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) vancomycin MIC shifts (MIC creep) at a tertiary care institution occurred that may have gone undetected using traditional susceptibility markers (percentage susceptible, MIC(50), MIC(90)) over a 5 year period. Additionally, MIC trends were evaluated for oxacillin, linezolid and daptomycin. METHODS Etest MICs were performed on MRSA blood culture isolates (January 2001-December 2005). Only one isolate per patient was studied. The reported Etest MIC result was used and not rounded upward. MIC(50), MIC(90), median and geometric mean MIC, percentage susceptible and percentage resistant were calculated for each drug in each year. Non-parametric methods (linear correlation and Mantel-Haenszel chi(2)) were used to assess MIC trends over time and the association of vancomycin, linezolid and daptomycin MICs with oxacillin MICs. RESULTS All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin, linezolid and daptomycin and resistant to oxacillin. MICs increased for vancomycin, linezolid and oxacillin (P < 0.0001); however, daptomycin MICs decreased slightly (P = 0.0386). For vancomycin, linezolid and oxacillin, there were significant increases (P < 0.0001) in the percentage of isolates with MICs that were higher than the respective 2001 median MIC, but not for daptomycin (P = 0.1361). Oxacillin MICs were associated with MICs of linezolid (r = 0.364, P < 0.0001), vancomycin (r = 0.353, P < 0.0001) and daptomycin (r = 0.106, P = 0.0063). CONCLUSIONS Oxacillin, vancomycin and linezolid MICs increased over time. For vancomycin and linezolid, these MIC increases were not reliably detected by percentage susceptibility as they occurred below the susceptibility breakpoint. Although the MICs of all agents appeared to be associated with increasing oxacillin MICs, the strongest associations were noted for vancomycin and linezolid.
Psychosocial parental support programs and short-term clinical outcomes in extremely low-birth-weight infants

Objective. To describe the association between an individualized psychosocial parental support (PPS) program and short-term clinical outcomes of extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods. Medical records of ELBW infants (<1000 g) hospitalized in the NICU at Miami Children's Hospital between July 2006 and June 2008 were reviewed. Outborn infants admitted during their first 72 h of life and discharged home were included. Parents were divided in two groups according to their participation status in the PPS program. Neonatal outcomes in both groups were compared. Results. Forty-one infants were included (n = 41). Mean gestational age was 26.7±2 weeks, and birth weight was 860±125 g. Median length of stay (LOS) was 96 days (quartile range: 76–112 days). PPS was provided to 33.3% of these infants' parents. The median LOS in the PPS group was significantly lower than in control group (86 vs. 99 days; p < 0.05). No other differences in short-term neonatal outcomes were found. Conclusions. The addition of individualized psychosocial parent support programs to standard care in the NICU may reduce LOS in surviving infants discharged home. Further larger and randomized prospective studies are needed.
CLIP Identifies Nova-Regulated RNA Networks in the Brain

Nova proteins are neuron-specific antigens targeted in paraneoplastic opsoclonus myoclonus ataxia (POMA), an autoimmune neurologic disease characterized by abnormal motor inhibition.Nova proteins regulate neuronal pre-messenger RNA splicing by directly binding to RNA.To identify Nova RNA targets, we developed a method to purify protein-RNA complexes from mouse brain with the use of ultraviolet cross-linking and immunoprecipitation (CLIP). Thirty-four transcripts were identified multiple times by Nova CLIP.Three-quarters of these encode proteins that function at the neuronal synapse, and one-third are involved in neuronal inhibition.Splicing targets confirmed in Nova–/– mice include c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2, neogenin, and gephyrin; the latter encodes a protein that clusters inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine receptors, two previously identified Nova splicing targets.Thus, CLIP reveals that Nova coordinately regulates a biologically coherent set of RNAs encoding multiple components of the inhibitory synapse, an observation that may relate to the cause of abnormal motor inhibition in POMA.
Observer based event-triggered leader-follower consensus of multi-agent systems

Event-triggered control strategy is an effective method in multi-agent systems with limited resources. In this paper, a consensus tracking problem of leader-follower multi-agent systems via observer-based event-triggered control is studied. In our set-up, only a subset of the followers can obtain some relative information on the leader. Assume that the leader's control input is unknown for the followers. In order to track such a leader, we design an observer for each follower to estimate the leader's control input, and then propose an observer-based event-triggered control strategy, in which each agent is allowed to be triggered only at its own triggering time instants. It is proved that under the proposed control strategy, the tracking problem can be solved if the communication graph of the agents is connected and the Zeno-behavior of triggering time sequences can be avoided. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control.
Novel nuclei isolation buffer for flow cytometric genome size estimation of Zingiberaceae: a comparison with common isolation buffers.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cytological parameters such as chromosome numbers and genome sizes of plants are used routinely for studying evolutionary aspects of polyploid plants. Members of Zingiberaceae show a wide range of inter- and intrageneric variation in their reproductive habits and ploidy levels. Conventional cytological study in this group of plants is severely hampered by the presence of diverse secondary metabolites, which also affect their genome size estimation using flow cytometry. None of the several nuclei isolation buffers used in flow cytometry could be used very successfully for members of Zingiberaceae to isolate good quality nuclei from both shoot and root tissues. METHODS The competency of eight nuclei isolation buffers was compared with a newly formulated buffer, MB01, in six different genera of Zingiberaceae based on the fluorescence intensity of propidium iodide-stained nuclei using flow cytometric parameters, namely coefficient of variation of the G0/G1 peak, debris factor and nuclei yield factor. Isolated nuclei were studied using fluorescence microscopy and bio-scanning electron microscopy to analyse stain-nuclei interaction and nuclei topology, respectively. Genome contents of 21 species belonging to these six genera were determined using MB01. KEY RESULTS Flow cytometric parameters showed significant differences among the analysed buffers. MB01 exhibited the best combination of analysed parameters; photomicrographs obtained from fluorescence and electron microscopy supported the superiority of MB01 buffer over other buffers. Among the 21 species studied, nuclear DNA contents of 14 species are reported for the first time. CONCLUSIONS Results of the present study substantiate the enhanced efficacy of MB01, compared to other buffers tested, in the generation of acceptable cytograms from all species of Zingiberaceae studied. Our study facilitates new ways of sample preparation for further flow cytometric analysis of genome size of other members belonging to this highly complex polyploid family.