Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Human First Hypothesis: Identification of Conspecifics and Individuation of Objects in the Young Infant

How do infants individuate and track objects, and among them objects belonging to their species, when they can only rely on information about the properties of those objects? We propose the Human First Hypothesis (HFH), which posits that infants possess information about their conspecifics and use it to identify and count objects. F. Xu and S. Carey [Cognitive Psychology, 30(2), 111-153, 1996] argued that before the age of 1 year, infants fail to use property information. To explain their results, Xu and Carey proposed the Object First Hypothesis (OFH), according to which infants under 1 year of age have only the general concept of physical object to identify and count objects. We show that infants have a more extensive knowledge of sortals than that claimed by the OFH. When 10-month-olds see one humanlike and one non-humanlike object, they successfully identify and count them by using the contrast in their properties, as predicted by the HFH. We also show that infants succeed even when they make a decision based on differences between two close basic-level categories such as humanlike objects and doglike objects, but fail when they have to use differences within the human category. Thus, infants treat "human" as a basic sortal, as predicted by the HFH. We argue that our results cannot be accounted for by general purpose mechanisms. Neither the strong version of the OFH and its explanation in terms of object indexing mechanisms [A. M. Leslie, F. Xu, P. Tremoulet, & B. J. Scholl, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2(1), 10-18, 1998] nor explanations in terms of task demands [T. Wilcox & R. Baillargeon, Cognitive Psychology, 37(2), 97-155, 1998] are sufficient to explain our results.
Loanwords in Japanese

Loanwords in Japanese is the first monograph in a Western language to offer a systematic and coherent overview of the vast number of words borrowed into Japanese since the mid-16th century. Its publication is timely given the fact that the loanword stratum’s recent exponential growth has given rise to recent Japanese government publications seeking to outlaw foreign vocabulary or, at the very least, offer native translations. Beginning with a history of loanwords, chapters cover loanword phonology, loanword morphology, loanword orthography and official and public attitudes to Japanese loanwords. The volume will be of interest to a wide range of researchers, scholars and students of the Japanese language.
Reverse Transcription-PCR–Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Rapid Detection of Biothreat and Common Respiratory Pathogens

ABSTRACT Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis of reverse transcription (RT)-PCR amplicons from human respiratory samples allows for broad pathogen identification approximately 8 h after collection. We investigated the performance characteristics of a high-throughput RT-PCR-coupled ESI-MS assay for distinguishing biothreat (BT) agents from common bacterial, fungal, and viral respiratory pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid specimens from subjects with suspected respiratory infections. In a retrospective case series, 202 BAL fluid specimens were collected at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between August 2010 and February 2011 from patients with suspected acute respiratory infections. Samples were processed using standard bacterial, viral, and fungal testing in the clinical microbiology laboratory as part of routine care and then were blindly spiked with either water or nucleic acids from BT organisms (Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Francisella tularensis, Brucella spp., Burkholderia spp., and Rickettsia prowazekii) and tested by RT-PCR–ESI-MS. The sensitivities and specificities of RT-PCR–ESI-MS versus standard clinical methods were as follows: for mock BT DNA, 98.5% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 94.2 to 99.7%) and 100% specificity (95% CI, 93.1 to 100.0%); for bacterial pathogens, 81.8% sensitivity (95% CI, 74.3 to 87.6%) and 73.6% specificity (95% CI, 64.2 to 81.4%); for viral pathogens, 93.3% sensitivity (95% CI, 66.0 to 99.7%) and 97.3% specificity (95% CI, 89.7 to 99.5%); for fungal pathogens, 42.6% sensitivity (95% CI, 29.5 to 56.7%) and 97.8% specificity (95% CI, 91.8 to 99.6%). Our data suggest that RT-PCR–ESI-MS is a useful adjunct to standard culture protocols for rapid detection of both BT and common respiratory pathogens; further study is required for assay validation, especially for fungal detection, and potential implementation.
The incidence of infectious complications of central venous catheters at the subclavian, internal jugular, and femoral sites in an intensive care unit population*

Objective:The objective was to assess the risk of central venous catheter infection with respect to the site of insertion in an intensive care unit population. The subclavian, internal jugular, and femoral sites were studied. Design:An epidemiologic, prospective, observational study. Setting:The setting is a well-functioning intensive care unit under a unified critical care medicine division in a university teaching hospital. Critical care medicine attendings and fellows covered on site 17 and 24 hrs per day, respectively. Patients:Patients were critically ill. All patients were triaged into the intensive care unit by on-site critical care medicine fellows. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:In an intensive care unit population, we prospectively studied the incidence of central venous catheter infection and colonization at the subclavian, internal jugular, and femoral sites. The optimal insertion site for each individual patient was selected by experienced intensive care physicians (critical care medicine attendings and fellows). All of the operators were proficient in inserting catheters at all three sites. Confounding factors were eliminated; there were a limited number of experienced operators inserting the catheters, a uniform protocol stressing strict sterile insertion was enforced, and standardized continuous catheter care was provided by dedicated intensive care nurses proficient in all aspects of central venous catheter care. Two groups of patients were analyzed. Group 1 was patients with one catheter at one site, and group 2 was patients with catheters at multiple sites. Group 1 was the primary analysis, whereas group 2 was supporting. A total of 831 central venous catheters and 4,735 catheter days in 657 patients were studied. The incidence of catheter infection (4.01/1,000 catheter days, 2.29% catheters) and colonization (5.07/1,000 catheter days, 2.89% catheters) was low overall. In group 1, the incidence of infection was subclavian: 0.881 infections/1,000 catheter days (0.45%), internal jugular: 0/1,000 (0%), and femoral: 2.98/1,000 (1.44%; p = .2635). The incidence of colonization was subclavian: 0.881 colonization/1,000 catheter days (0.45%), internal jugular: 2.00/1,000 (1.05%), and femoral: 5.96/1,000 (2.88%, p = .1338). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of infection and colonization or duration of catheters (p = .8907) among the insertion sites. In group 2, there was also no statistically significant difference in the incidence of infection and colonization among the three insertion sites. Conclusion:In an intensive care unit population, the incidence of central venous catheter infection and colonization is low overall and, clinically and statistically, is not different at all three sites when optimal insertion sites are selected, experienced operators insert the catheters, strict sterile technique is present, and trained intensive care unit nursing staff perform catheter care.
Visual Processing without Awareness: Evidence from Unilateral Neglect

Can visual processing be carried out without visual awareness of the presented objects? In the present study we addressed this problem in patients with severe unilateral neglect. The patients were required to respond as fast as possible to target stimuli (pictures of animals and fruits) presented to the normal field by pressing one of the two keys according to the category of the targets. We then studied the influence of priming stimuli, again pictures of animals or fruits, presented to the neglected field on the responses to targets. By combining different pairs of primes and targets, three different experimental conditions were obtained. In the first condition, "Highly congruent," the target and prime stimuli belonged to the same category and were physically identical; in the second condition, "Congruent," the stimuli represented two elements of the same category but were physically dissimilar; in the third condition, "Noncongruent," the stimuli represented one exemplar from each of the two categories of stimuli. The results showed that the responses were facilitated not only in the Highly congruent condition, but also in the Congruent one. This finding suggests that patients with neglect are able to process stimuli presented to the neglected field to a categorical level of representation even when they deny the stimulus presence in the affected field. The implications of this finding for psychological and physiological theory of neglect and visual cognition are discussed.
Metabolic syndrome as a risk factor for gallstone disease.

AIM To establish an association between the presence of metabolic syndrome and the development of gallstone disease. METHODS We carried out a cross-sectional study in a check-up unit in a university hospital in Mexico City. We enrolled 245 subjects, comprising 65 subjects with gallstones (36 women, 29 men) and 180 controls (79 women and 101 men without gallstones). Body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, plasma insulin, and serum lipids and lipoproteins levels were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated by homeostasis model assessment. Unconditional logistic regression analysis (univariate and multivariate) was used to calculate the risk of gallstone disease associated with the presence of at least three of the criteria (Adult Treatment Panel III). Analyses were adjusted for age and sex. RESULTS Among 245 subjects, metabolic syndrome was present in 40% of gallstone disease subjects, compared with 17.2% of the controls, adjusted by age and gender (odds ratio (OR) = 2.79; 95%CI, 1.46-5.33; P = 0.002), a dose-dependent effect was observed with each component of metabolic syndrome (OR = 2.36, 95%CI, 0.72-7.71; P = 0.16 with one component and OR = 5.54, 95%CI, 1.35-22.74; P = 0.02 with four components of metabolic syndrome). Homeostasis model assessment was significantly associated with gallstone disease (adjusted OR = 2.25; 95%CI, 1.08-4.69; P = 0.03). CONCLUSION We conclude that as for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus, gallstone disease appears to be strongly associated with metabolic syndrome.
Place of Death Among Older Americans: Does State Spending on Home- and Community-Based Services Promote Home Death?

Background:The majority of Americans die in institutions although most prefer to die at home. States vary greatly in their proportion of home deaths. Although individuals’ circumstances largely determine where they die, health policies may affect the range of options available to them. Objective:To examine whether states’ spending on home- and community-based services (HCBS) affects place of death, taking into consideration county health care resources and individuals’ family, sociodemographic, and health factors. Methods:Using exit interview data from respondents in the Health and Retirement Study born in 1923 or earlier who died between 1993 and 2002 (N = 3362), we conducted discrete-time survival analysis of the risk of end-of-life nursing home relocation to examine whether states’ HCBS spending would delay or prevent end-of-life nursing home admission. Then we ran logistic regression analysis to investigate the HCBS effects on place of death separately for those who relocated to a nursing home and those who remained in the community. Results:Living in a state with higher HCBS spending was associated with lower risk of end-of-life nursing home relocation, especially among people who had Medicaid. However, state HCBS support was not directly associated with place of death. Conclusions:States’ generosity for HCBS increases the chance of dying at home via lowering the risk of end-of-life nursing home relocation. State-to-state variation in HCBS spending may partly explain variation in home deaths. Our findings add to the emerging encouraging evidence for continued efforts to enhance support for HCBS.
Plasticity and epistasis strongly affect bacterial fitness after losing multiple metabolic genes

Many bacterial lineages lack seemingly essential metabolic genes. Previous work suggested selective benefits could drive the loss of biosynthetic functions from bacterial genomes when the corresponding metabolites are sufficiently available in the environment. However, the factors that govern this “genome streamlining” remain poorly understood. Here we determine the effect of plasticity and epistasis on the fitness of Escherichia coli genotypes from whose genome biosynthetic genes for one, two, or three different amino acids have been deleted. Competitive fitness experiments between auxotrophic mutants and prototrophic wild‐type cells in one of two carbon environments revealed that plasticity and epistasis strongly affected the mutants’ fitness individually and interactively. Positive and negative epistatic interactions were prevalent, yet on average cancelled each other out. Moreover, epistasis correlated negatively with the expected effects of combined auxotrophy‐causing mutations, thus producing a pattern of diminishing returns. Moreover, computationally analyzing 1,432 eubacterial metabolic networks revealed that most pairs of auxotrophies co‐occurred significantly more often than expected by chance, suggesting epistatic interactions and/or environmental factors favored these combinations. Our results demonstrate that both the genetic background and environmental conditions determine the adaptive value of a loss‐of‐biochemical‐function mutation and that fitness gains decelerate, as more biochemical functions are lost.
The Development and Validation of the Comprehensive Intellectual Humility Scale

abstract A series of studies was conducted to create the 22-item Comprehensive Intellectual Humility Scale on the basis of theoretical descriptions of intellectual humility, expert reviews, pilot studies, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The scale measures 4 distinct but intercorrelated aspects of intellectual humility, including independence of intellect and ego, openness to revising one's viewpoint, respect for others' viewpoints, and lack of intellectual overconfidence. Internal consistency and test-retest analyses provided reliable scale and subscale scores within numerous independent samples. Validation data were obtained from multiple, independent samples, supporting appropriate levels of convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity. The analyses suggest that the scale has utility as a self-report measure for future research.
Tests of Hypotheses on the Adaptive Value of an Extended Male Phase in the Hermaphroditic Shrimp Lysmata wurdemanni (Caridea: Hippolytidae)

Hypotheses on delayed sex change in the protandric simultaneous hermaphrodite Lysmata wurdemanni were tested with observations from population samples, mating experiments, and experiments on sex change under optimal and suboptimal breeding conditions. Male-phase individuals (MPs) much larger than the minimum size of sex change were most frequent in a natural population from fall through early spring. The hypothesis was tested that some MPs delay sex change to the simultaneous hermaphrodite female-phase (FP) because MPs are more competitive in obtaining copulations with parturial FPs than are FPs mating as males (MFPs). In different experiments, parturial FPs were maintained with two potential male mating partners (large MP and MFP, small MP and MFP, large MP and small MP) through the parturial molt and spawning; activities were recorded with time-lapse video. MFPs gained the single copulation with the parturial FP as frequently as MPs, large or small, but large MPs copulated with more FPs than small MPs. The hypothesis of FP reversion to large MP was tested experimentally and rejected. Rate of change of MP to FP was much lower in large MPs maintained under suboptimal (fall/winter) than optimal (spring/summer) breeding conditions. The results presented here suggest that the occurrence of large MPs from the fall to early spring is better explained by abiotic proximate factors related to breeding than by socially mediated sex change in different demographic environments.
Significantly Rapid Relief from Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome by LDL Apheresis Compared with Steroid Monotherapy

Rapid amelioration of hypercholesterolemia by LDL apheresis (LDL-A) was performed for long-standing nephrotic syndrome (NS) with hyperlipidemia due to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FGS) and the clinical data and prognosis were compared between LDL-A-treated and nontreated groups. Seventeen steroid-resistant NS patients treated with LDL-A (LDL-A group) and 10 NS patients treated with steroids only (steroid-monotherapy (SM) group) were compared. Serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels were significantly lowered only in the LDL-A group (p < 0.01, respectively). The LDL-A group showed a significant decrease of urinary protein (UP, p < 0.01) and increase of serum albumin (p < 0.05). Average time needed to achieve a decrease of UP to less than nephrotic range (< 3.5 g/day) was significantly shorter in the LDL-A group than in the SM group (p < 0.01). Although this is not a prospective study, it is highly expected that a rapid improvement of hypercholesterolemia by LDL-A in steroid-resistant NS will provide more rapid relief from NS than steroid therapy alone.
Analysis of Exonic Regions Involved in Nuclear Localization, Splicing Activity, and Dimerization of Muscleblind-like-1 Isoforms*

Muscleblind-like-1 (MBNL1) is a splicing regulatory factor controlling the fetal-to-adult alternative splicing transitions during vertebrate muscle development. Its capture by nuclear CUG expansions is one major cause for type 1 myotonic dystrophy (DM1). Alternative splicing produces MBNL1 isoforms that differ by the presence or absence of the exonic regions 3, 5, and 7. To understand better their respective roles and the consequences of the deregulation of their expression in DM1, here we studied the respective roles of MBNL1 alternative and constitutive exons. By combining genetics, molecular and cellular approaches, we found that (i) the exon 5 and 6 regions are both needed to control the nuclear localization of MBNL1; (ii) the exon 3 region strongly enhances the affinity of MBNL1 for its pre-mRNA target sites; (iii) the exon 3 and 6 regions are both required for the splicing regulatory activity, and this function is not enhanced by an exclusive nuclear localization of MBNL1; and finally (iv) the exon 7 region enhances MBNL1-MBNL1 dimerization properties. Consequently, the abnormally high inclusion of the exon 5 and 7 regions in DM1 is expected to enhance the potential of MBNL1 of being sequestered with nuclear CUG expansions, which provides new insight into DM1 pathophysiology.
Effects of an individualized and time based training program on physical fitness and mood states in recreational endurance runners

Previous studies have shown that training guided individually by heart rate variability (HRV) elicits benefits on endurance performance. Meanwhile complex programs, which use HRV assessments to tailor exercise prescriptions to individual needs, are included in portable training computers. However, knowledge on health and fitness benefits of such training programs is still limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate effects of HRV-based training included in a portable training computer vs general time-based training on aerobic fitness, half-marathon time as well as mood and mental states. Male (n=10) and female endurance runners (n=10) were recruited and randomly assigned to HRV-based (STAR) and predefined time-based training (TBT). At baseline and after 16 weeks of training an incremental exercise test with spirometry was performed to assess aerobic power. Additionally, mood and mental states were asked. After the training period all subjects took part in a half-marathon. Matched-pairs were selected to compare groups based on similar relative weekly energy expenditure during training. With no differences between groups, STAR and TBT reduced weight (p=0.029), body fat (p=0.002) as well as systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p≤0.001). Maximal oxygen uptake significantly increased from 43.0 ± 8.3 to 46.1 ± 9.0 ml.min-1.kg-1 (p≤0.001) and 43.2 ± 4.8 to 46.7 ± 4.7 ml.min-1.kg-1 (p≤0.001) in STAR and TBT, respectively. Moreover, both groups improved maximal velocity (TBT: 0.81 + 0.40 km.h-1 vs STAR: 0.74 + 0.39 km.h-1; p≤0.001) and completed the half-marathon with similar finish times (01:54:35 ± 00:14:02 [hh:mm:ss] vs. 01:52:42 ± 00:13:45 [hh:mm:ss]; p=0.789). Regarding mood and mental states, no major changes were observed over the training period. In conclusion, both HRV- and time-based training elicited similar improvements in aerobic power and body composition. Consequently, HRV-dependent exercise prescriptions serve as a practical tool for day-to-day periodization of aerobic exercise.
Occurrence of thrombosis in congenital thrombocytopenic disorders: a critical annotation of the literature

Patients with a low platelet count are prone to bleeding. The occurrence of a thrombotic event in congenital thrombocytopenic patients is rare and puzzling. At least nine patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia have been reported to have had a thrombotic event, eight venous and one arterial (intracardiac, in the left ventricle). On the contrary, three patients with Bernard–Soulier syndrome have been shown to have had arterial thrombosis (myocardial infarction) but no venous thrombosis. Finally, seven patients with the familiar macrothrombocytopenia due to alterations of the MYH9 gene have been reported to have had thrombosis (five myocardial infractions, one ischemic stroke, one deep vein thrombosis and one portal vein thrombosis). The significance of these findings is discussed with particular emphasis on the discrepancy between venous and arterial thrombosis seen in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Bernard–Soulier syndrome.
Adenomyoepitheliomatous lesions of the mammary glands in transgenic mice with targeted PLAG1 overexpression

PLAG1 proto‐oncogene overexpression has been causally linked to multiple tumors, highlighting its broad tumorigenic relevance. Here, the oncogenic potential of PLAG1 in mammary gland tumorigenesis was investigated in PLAG1 transgenic mice. To target mammary glands, mice of 2 independent PLAG1 transgenic strains, PTMS1 and PTMS2, in which PLAG1 expression can be modulated by Cre‐mediation, were crossed with MMTV‐Cre transgenic mice, resulting in P1‐MCre and P2‐MCre offspring, respectively. Hundred percentage of P1‐MCre female mice showed mammary gland hyperplasia, caused by adenomyoepithelial adenosis, at 8 weeks. The tumorigenic process could not be studied further in P1‐MCre mice, because concomitant fast‐growing salivary gland tumors required euthanasia. Sixteen percentage of P2‐MCre females developed mammary gland adenomyoepitheliomas within 30–45 weeks, and none displayed concomitant salivary gland tumors. To further study mammary gland tumorigenesis in PTMS1‐derived mice, intercrossing with WAP‐Cre transgenic mice, resulting in P1‐WAPCre mice, was performed to target PLAG1 expression more specifically to mammary glands. Eighty percentage of such mice developed adenomyoepitheliomas within 53–88 weeks. All PLAG1‐induced adenomyoepitheliomas revealed expression upregulation of Igf2/H19, Dlk1/Gtl2, Igfbps and Wnt signaling genes (Wnt6, Cyclin D1). Collectively, these results establish the oncogenic potential of PLAG1 in mammary glands of mice and point towards contributing roles of Igf and Wnt signaling. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.