Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Variation in White Matter Connectivity Predicts the Ability to Remember Faces and Discriminate Their Emotions

Abstract Objectives: The extended face network contains clusters of neurons that perform distinct functions on facial stimuli. Regions in the posterior ventral visual stream appear to perform basic perceptual functions on faces, while more anterior regions, such as the ventral anterior temporal lobe and amygdala, function to link mnemonic and affective information to faces. Anterior and posterior regions are interconnected by a long-range white matter tracts; however, it is not known if variation in connectivity of these pathways explains cognitive performance. Methods: Here, we used diffusion imaging and deterministic tractography in a cohort of 28 neurologically normal adults ages 18–28 to examine microstructural properties of visual fiber pathways and their relationship to certain mnemonic and affective functions involved in face processing. We investigated how inter-individual variability in two tracts, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), related to performance on tests of facial emotion recognition and face memory. Results: Results revealed that microstructure of both tracts predicted variability in behavioral performance indexed by both tasks, suggesting that the ILF and IFOF play a role in facilitating our ability to discriminate emotional expressions in faces, as well as to remember unique faces. Variation in a control tract, the uncinate fasciculus, did not predict performance on these tasks. Conclusions: These results corroborate and extend the findings of previous neuropsychology studies investigating the effects of damage to the ILF and IFOF, and demonstrate that differences in face processing abilities are related to white matter microstructure, even in healthy individuals. (JINS, 2016, 22, 180–190)
The appropriateness of treating psychopathic disorders

The received wisdom is that there is no known effective treatment for psychopathic disorders. Although outcome studies have not identified an effective programmatic treatment for psychopathic disorders, such studies tend to leave the question open. If behavioral science has not established that psychopathic disorders respond to a particular programmatic approach, neither are psychopathic disorders convincingly proven to be absolutely resistant to treatment. If no treatment is known to be effective in psychopathic disorders, then any treatment seems to squander resources. What is often missing from the discussion is effective therapeutic measures to treat other behaviors that often co-occur, if they do not represent a domain of pathology of psychopathic disorders, such as impulsive aggression. After a brief summary of results of programmatic treatment of psychopathic offenders, this review focuses on the pharmacotherapy of impulsive aggression in psychopathic disorders. If the impulsive aggression that occurs with psychopathic disorders can be better controlled, treatment can have substantial benefits and would be most appropriate.
Measurement of central activation failure of the quadriceps femoris in healthy adults

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the relationship between the central activation ratio (CAR) and the percent maximum voluntary effort (% MVE) during isometric quadriceps femoris contractions. Twenty‐one healthy, young adults participated in three test sessions. During each session, one of three train types was tested: a 100‐Hz 120‐ms train, a 100‐Hz 250‐ms train, or a 50‐Hz 500‐ms train. Subjects were seated on a force dynamometer and stabilized to perform a 3–5‐s isometric knee extension at MVE. Force targets were set at 25, 50, 75, and 100% of the MVE. With 5 min rest between efforts, subjects produced forces at the specified target levels. When each target was reached, the test train was delivered to quantify the amount of central activation. There were no significant differences in CARs across train types during maximal efforts, but during submaximal efforts at 25 and 50%, the 100‐Hz 250‐ms and 50‐Hz 500‐ms trains produced significantly lower CARs than the 100‐Hz 120‐ms train. The relationship between the CAR and the %MVE was curvilinear and best described by a second‐order polynomial for all three train types. If tests of central activation are going to be used clinically, it is important to know the relationship between the CAR and voluntary effort; however, further study will be required to extend these results to specific patient populations. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 1706–1712, 2000.
Early-onset severe rod-cone dystrophy in young children with RPE65 mutations.

PURPOSE To describe the ocular phenotype of patients with RPE65 mutations in infancy and young childhood. METHODS Four children from three families with severe early-onset visual impairment related to electrophysiologically detectable retinal dystrophy were screened for mutations in the RPE65 gene. Visual function from infancy to the age of 10 years was assessed with age-adapted methods. Clinical examinations and electroretinograms (ERGs) were also performed on the six parents. RESULTS In all three families, patients were compound heterozygous for mutations of the RPE65 gene (ins144T/IVS1+5G-->A, R91W/Y368H, 1114delA+T457N/IVS1+5G-->A). Visual acuity was measurable in all patients at the age of 6 to 10 years, despite severe visual impairment noted during infancy and congenital nystagmus in three of the four patients. Photophobia was not a feature. Funduscopic changes were discrete, the most prominent finding being increased granularity in the macula and the periphery. Peripheral vision was well preserved, measured by Goldmann perimetry. Rod ERGs were not recordable, whereas cone ERGs were detectable in early childhood. All features taken together suggest a specific form of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) distinguishable on clinical grounds. ERGs were normal in five of the six parents. One father had an ERG compatible with congenital stationary night blindness unrelated to his heterozygous state for the RPE65 mutation. CONCLUSIONS RPE65 mutations on both alleles may be associated with early-onset severe rod-cone dystrophy. Visual functions of the four patients were better than is usually seen in LCA, in particular in cases associated with retGC1 mutations. RPE65 mutations should be suspected in infants who appear to be blind in dim surroundings but react to objects in bright illumination and have nonrecordable rod ERGs and residual cone ERGs.
Dietary patterns in Swedish adults; results from a national dietary survey

Abstract Dietary patterns derived by statistical procedures is a way to identify overall dietary habits in specific populations. The aim of this study was to identify and characterise dietary patterns in Swedish adults using data from the national dietary survey Riksmaten adults 2010–11 (952 women, 788 men). Principal component analyses were used and two patterns were identified in both sexes: a healthy pattern loading positively on vegetables, fruits, fish and seafood, and vegetable oils, and negatively on refined bread and fast food, and a Swedish traditional pattern loading positively on potatoes, meat and processed meat, full-fat milk products, sweet bakery products, sweet condiments and margarine. In addition, a light-meal pattern was identified in women with positive loadings on fibre-rich bread, cheese, rice, pasta and food grain dishes, substitute products for meat and dairy products, candies and tea. The healthy pattern was positively correlated to dietary fibre (r 0·51–0·58) and n-3 (r 0·25–0·31) (all P<0·0001), and had a higher nutrient density of folate, vitamin D and Se. The Swedish traditional and the light-meal pattern were positively correlated to added sugar (r 0·20–0·25) and the Swedish traditional also to SFA (r 0·13–0·21) (all P<0·0001); both patterns were in general negatively correlated to micronutrients. Dietary pattern scores were associated with, for example, age, physical activity, education and income. In conclusion, we identified three major dietary patterns among Swedish adults. The patterns can be further used for examining the association between whole diet and health outcomes.
Functional β-Cell Mass After Transplantation of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cells: Differentiation or Proliferation?

The scarcity of human adult islets available for transplantation in IDDM makes the use of human fetal pancreatic cells desirable. Human fetal pancreatic cells grow and differentiate after transplantation in nude mice. It is unclear whether proliferation of preexisting endocrine cells or differentiation of precursor cells is mainly responsible for the increased islet mass and if β-cell enrichment before transplantation enhances the functional outcome of the graft. To answer these questions, we transplanted purified human fetal islets, isletlike cell clusters (ICCs), and fresh tissue under the kidney capsule of nude mice. Insulin content was highest in the fresh tissue but fell rapidly during culture as either fetal islets or ICCs. Although fetal islets contained fourfold more insulin than ICCs before transplantation, the insulin content of the resulting grafts was the same after 3 months in vivo. The degree of stimulation after glucose challenge was comparable; however, more tissue was needed to generate the fetal islets. Grafts of fresh tissue also had similar total insulin contents, but when normalized to DNA, insulin concentration was significantly higher in the grafts from cultured tissue. Moreover, there were distinct morphological differences; the grafts from fresh tissue were more fibrous, with prominent ductal and cystic elements. Grafts from cultured tissue were two- to threefold enriched in endocrine tissue when compared with grafts originating from fresh tissue. These results suggest that islet cells identified in the grafted ICCs are mainly derived through differentiation of endocrine precursors and that cultured ICCs are more preferable than either fetal islets or uncultured tissue for transplantation.
Structure-activity relationship of the pro- and anticoagulant effects of Fucus vesiculosus fucoidan

Summary Fucoidan is a highly complex sulfated polysaccharide commonly extracted from brown seaweed. In addition to their many biological activities, fucoidans have recently been demonstrated to inhibit or increase coagulation at different concentration ranges. Their structural features, i.e. molecular weight (Mw), Mw distribution, degree of sulfation, monosaccharide composition, and different linkages, are known to affect these activities. Therefore, structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis of fucoidan is crucial for its potential use as a procoagulant. In this study, Fucus vesiculosus (F.v.) fucoidan was fractionated by charge and size as well as over- and desulfated to different degrees to yield preparations with various structural properties. The fractions’ pro- and anticoagulant activities were assessed by calibrated automated thrombography (CAT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assays. Binding to and inhibition of the anticoagulant protein tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) and the ability to activate coagulation via the contact pathway were also investigated. This paper discusses the impact of charge density, size, and sugar composition on fucoidan’s pro- and anticoagulant activities. Fucoidan requires a minimal charge density of 0.5 sulfates per sugar unit and a size of 70 sugar units to demonstrate desired procoagulant activities for improvement of haemostasis in factor VIII/factor IX-deficient plasma.
A holistic view of the effects of episiotomy on pelvic floor

Vaginal delivery is commonly accepted as a risk factor in pelvic floor dysfunction; however, other obstetric procedures (episiotomy) are still controversial. In this work, to analyze the relationship between episiotomy and pelvic floor function, a finite element model of the pelvic cavity is used considering the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) with damaged regions from spontaneous vaginal delivery and from deliveries with episiotomy. Common features assessed at screening of pelvic floor dysfunction are evaluated during numerical simulations of both Valsalva maneuver and contraction.
Electrophysiological Properties of the Microstome and Macrostome Morph of the Polymorphic Ciliate Tetrahymena vorax

Polymorphic ciliates, like Tetrahymena vorax, optimize food utilization by altering between different body shapes and behaviours. Microstome T. vorax feeds on bacteria, organic particles, and solutes, whereas the larger macrostome cells are predators consuming other ciliates. We have used current clamp and discontinuous single electrode voltage clamp to compare electrophysiological properties of these morphs. The resting membrane potential was approximately −30 mV in both morphs. The input resistance and capacitance of microstomes were approximately 350 MΩ and 105 pF, whereas the corresponding values for the macrostomes were 210 MΩ and 230 pF, reflecting the larger cell size. Depolarizing current injections elicited regenerative Ca2+ spikes with a maximum rate of rise of 7.5 Vs−1 in microstome and 4.7 Vs−1 in macrostome cells. Depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of −40 mV induced an inward Ca2+ ‐current (Ica) peaking at −10 mV, reaching approximately the same value in microstome (−1.4 nA) and macrostome cells (−1.2 nA). Because the number of ciliary rows is the same in microstome and macrostome cells, the similar size of ICa in these morphs supports the notion that the voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels in ciliates are located in the ciliary membrane. In both morphs, hyperpolarizing voltage steps revealed inward membrane rectification that persisted in Na+‐free solution and was only partially inhibited by extracellular Cs+. The inward rectification was completely blocked by replacing Ca2+ with Co2+ or Ba2+ in the recording solution, and is probably due to Ca2+ ‐activated inward K+ current secondary to Ca2+ influx through channels activated by hyperpolarization.
Spectral efficient channel estimation algorithms for FBMC/OQAM systems: A comparison

Spectrally efficient channel impulse response (CIR) estimation in the sense of minimal training overhead is a key issue for the successful deployment of Filter Bank Multicarrier (FBMC) with Offset Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (OQAM). In this contribution we perform a comparison between channel estimation algorithms considering two different models for the received subcarrier signals: a per-subcarrier narrowband and a broadband channel model. We also consider three cases of spectrally efficient channel estimation by employing different training sequence occupation of the subcarriers.
TNFR2 Deficiency Acts in Concert with Gut Microbiota To Precipitate Spontaneous Sex-Biased Central Nervous System Demyelinating Autoimmune Disease

TNF-α antagonists provide benefit to patients with inflammatory autoimmune disorders such as Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. However, TNF antagonism unexplainably exacerbates CNS autoimmunity, including multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. The underlying mechanisms remain enigmatic. We demonstrate that TNFR2 deficiency results in female-biased spontaneous autoimmune CNS demyelination in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–specific 2D2 TCR transgenic mice. Disease in TNFR2−/− 2D2 mice was associated with CNS infiltration of T and B cells as well as increased production of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein–specific IL-17, IFN-γ, and IgG2b. Attenuated disease in TNF−/− 2D2 mice relative to TNFR2−/− 2D2 mice identified distinctive roles for TNFR1 and TNFR2. Oral antibiotic treatment eliminated spontaneous autoimmunity in TNFR2−/− 2D2 mice to suggest role for gut microbiota. Illumina sequencing of fecal 16S rRNA identified a distinct microbiota profile in male TNFR2−/− 2D2 that was associated with disease protection. Akkermansia muciniphila, Sutterella sp. , Oscillospira sp. , Bacteroides acidifaciens, and Anaeroplasma sp. were selectively more abundant in male TNFR2−/− 2D2 mice. In contrast, Bacteroides sp. , Bacteroides uniformis, and Parabacteroides sp. were more abundant in affected female TNFR2−/− 2D2 mice, suggesting a role in disease causation. Overall, TNFR2 blockade appears to disrupt commensal bacteria–host immune symbiosis to reveal autoimmune demyelination in genetically susceptible mice. Under this paradigm, microbes likely contribute to an individual’s response to anti-TNF therapy. This model provides a foundation for host immune–microbiota-directed measures for the prevention and treatment of CNS-demyelinating autoimmune disorders.
Randomised clinical trial of a group parent education programme for Australian Indigenous families

Aim: Parenting programmes have been shown to improve children’s adjustment and reduce problem behaviour; however, little research has addressed outcomes for Indigenous families. The aim of this project was to assess the impact and cultural appropriateness of a parenting programme tailored for Indigenous families, an adaptation of the evidence‐based Group Triple P – Positive Parenting Program.
Determinants of Bone Mineral Density in Older Men and Women: Body Composition as Mediator

This study aimed to assess the relative importance of several determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) and to examine to what extent these potential determinants influence total hip BMD through body composition. The study population consisted of 522 participants (264 women and 258 men) of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), aged 65 years and over, and living in Amsterdam and its vicinity. BMD of the total hip was measured using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA). Potential determinants of BMD were age, weight change since age 25 years, lifestyle factors, chronic diseases, medication use, and hormonal factors. Potential mediators between the possible determinants and BMD were two measures of body composition: fat mass (FM) and appendicular muscle mass (AMM). Multiple regression analyses including all potential determinants in one model without body composition identified age, weight change, walking activity, and sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) as independent determinants for total hip BMD in women. In men, current smoking, participation in sports, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentration were independently associated with total hip BMD. When total hip BMD was regressed on the potential determinants and each measure of body composition, it appeared that FM, and to a lesser extent, muscle mass (MM), were independently related to BMD. In women, adjustment for FM reduced the strength of the associations of weight change, walking activity, and SHBG with total hip BMD. Adjustments for MM did not influence the associations between the determinants and BMD. In men, neither FM nor MM appeared to play a mediating role between the determinants and BMD. It can be concluded that (1) FM and MM are strong independent determinants of total hip BMD and that (2) FM possibly plays a mediating role in the association of weight change, walking activity, and SHBG with total hip BMD in women.
Linear-Quadratic Optimal Control of Periodic-Review Perishable Inventory Systems

In this brief, the problem of inventory control in systems with perishable goods is addressed from the control-theoretic perspective. In the analyzed setting, the deteriorating stock used to fulfill unknown, time-varying demand is replenished with delay from a remote supply source. In order to eliminate the threat of the bullwhip effect (amplified demand variations translated to the ordering signal), we propose to use the benefits of linear-quadratic optimal control. In contrast to the earlier approaches to inventory management of perishable goods, mainly based on heuristics and static optimization, we apply formal methodology of discrete-time dynamical optimization, and solve the optimal control problem analytically. This allows us to formulate and strictly prove a number of advantageous properties of the designed controller, e.g., we demonstrate that it ensures full demand satisfaction in the system with arbitrary delay and any bounded demand pattern with unknown statistics. The proposed controller outperforms the classical order-up-to policy in terms of higher service level, smaller holding costs, and smaller order-to-demand variance ratio.
Still Protected Against Smallpox?: Estimation of the Duration of Vaccine-Induced Immunity Against Smallpox

Background: Although the potential for bioterrorism has led to discussions on the durability of vaccine-induced immunity, the actual duration of protection against smallpox is still unknown. It has previously been suggested that at least partial protection against severe and fatal smallpox may persist throughout life. Methods: In this article, we analyzed 6 major smallpox outbreaks that occurred before and after 1900 in the United Kingdom. These analyses are based on the age-dependent incidence of smallpox and the fraction of severe manifestations among individuals with or without prior vaccination. We used a likelihood-based approach to estimate the duration of immunity from the age-specific frequencies. Results: The expected median duration of protection from disease ranged from 11.7 to 28.4 years after primary vaccination, and the qualitative pattern of duration could be described using Gompertz's Law. Vaccinated individuals appear to have been protected from severe disease with more than 50% probability even 50 years after successful primary vaccination. Conclusions: These findings suggest that successful primary vaccination offered full protection for a few decades, with partial protection from severe smallpox possibly lasting a lifetime, for a substantial fraction of the population.
Spatio-Temporal Saliency Networks for Dynamic Saliency Prediction

Computational saliency models for still images have gained significant popularity in recent years. Saliency prediction from videos, on the other hand, has received relatively little interest from the community. Motivated by this, in this paper, we study the use of deep learning for dynamic saliency prediction and propose the so-called spatio-temporal saliency networks. The key to our models is the architecture of two-stream networks where we investigate different fusion mechanisms to integrate spatial and temporal information. We evaluate our models on the dynamic images and eye movements and University of Central Florida-Sports datasets and present highly competitive results against the existing state-of-the-art models. We also carry out some experiments on a number of still images from the MIT300 dataset by exploiting the optical flow maps predicted from these images. Our results show that considering inherent motion information in this way can be helpful for static saliency estimation.