Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A quantitative framework for motion visibility in human cortex

Despite the central use of motion visibility to reveal the neural basis of perception, perceptual decision making, and sensory inference there exists no comprehensive quantitative framework establishing how motion visibility parameters modulate human cortical response. Random-dot motion stimuli can be made less visible by reducing image contrast or motion coherence, or by shortening the stimulus duration. Because each of these manipulations modulates the strength of sensory neural responses they have all been extensively used to reveal cognitive and other non-sensory phenomenon such as the influence of priors, attention, and choice-history biases. However, each of these manipulations is thought to influence response in different ways across different cortical regions and a comprehensive study is required to interpret this literature. Here, human participants observed random-dot stimuli varying across a large range of contrast, coherence, and stimulus durations as we measured blood-oxygen-level dependent responses. We developed a framework for modeling these responses which quantifies their functional form and sensitivity across areas. Our framework demonstrates the sensitivity of all visual areas to each parameter, with early visual areas V1-V4 showing more parametric sensitivity to changes in contrast and V3A and MT to coherence. Our results suggest that while motion contrast, coherence, and duration share cortical representation, they are encoded with distinct functional forms and sensitivity. Thus, our quantitative framework serves as a reference for interpretation of the vast perceptual literature manipulating these parameters and shows that different manipulations of visibility will have different effects across human visual cortex and need to be interpreted accordingly.
Population Structure and Antimicrobial Resistance of Canine Uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli is the most common cause of human and canine urinary tract infection (UTI). Clonal groups, often with high levels of antimicrobial resistance, are a major component of the E. coli population that causes human UTI. ABSTRACT Escherichia coli is the most common cause of human and canine urinary tract infection (UTI). Clonal groups, often with high levels of antimicrobial resistance, are a major component of the E. coli population that causes human UTI. While little is known about the population structure of E. coli that causes UTI in dogs, there is evidence that dogs and humans can share fecal strains of E. coli and that human-associated strains can cause disease in dogs. In order to better characterize the E. coli strains that cause canine UTI, we analyzed 295 E. coli isolates obtained from canine urine samples from five veterinary diagnostic laboratories and analyzed their multilocus sequence types, phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles, and virulence-associated gene repertoires. Sequence type 372 (ST372), an infrequent human pathogen, was the predominant sequence type in dogs at all locations. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing isolates with blaCTX-M genes were uncommon in canine isolates but when present were often associated with sequence types that have been described in human infections. This provides support for occasional cross-host-species sharing of strains that cause extraintestinal disease and highlights the importance of understanding the role of companion animals in the overall transmission patterns of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli.
Exomorphology and internal structure of cypselas of seven species of the tribe cardueae (compositae)

Cypselar morpho-anatomy is very helpful for the separation of taxa, when flowering condition is unavailable i.e. fruiting condition is available. For this purpose, cypselas of seven species belonging to five genera (Arctium lappa, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium candelabrum, Cirsium heleniodes, Mantisalca salmantica, Saussurea fastuosa and Xeranthemum annuum) of the tribe Cardueae have been investigated. The important morphological features are the presence of surface structure, pappus bristles, stylopodia, carpopodia with cellular orientation etc. Except in the cypselas of Mantisalca salmantica and Arctium lappa, the remaining 5 studied cypselas are homomorphic. In the cypsela of Xeranthemum annuum, surface is pubescent, whereas in remaining 6 studied cypselas, surface is rough and glabrous. In the cypsela of Arctium lappa, Cirsium arvense, Cirsium heleniodes and Cirsium candelabrum, stylopodia are prominent and enlarge than the remaining studied cypselas where they are inconspicuous. Carpopodia are the basal, meristematic zone of cypselas. In the cypsela of Cirsium arvense, Arctium lappa, Mantisalca salmantica and Cirsium candelabrum, pseudocarpopodia are present, whereas in remaining studied cypselas carpopodial cells are arranged from 1 layer (Cirsium heleniodes, Xeranthemum annuum) to 2 layers (Saussurea fastuosa). Pappus structures help in the dispersal of cypselas. In the cypsela of Saussurea fastuosa, Cirsium heleniodes and Cirsium candelabrum, plumose type of pappus bristles are present, whereas in the cypsela of Mantisalca salmantica barbellate pappus bristles are present. In the cypsela of Xeranthemum annum, scaly pappus is present. Among the studied cypselas, in Arctium lappa and Cirsium arvense, pappus are absent. Anatomically, the mesocarpic region is very interesting than other layer of pericarp. In the cypsela of Saussurea fastuosa, Cirsium heleniodes and Xeranthemum annuum, mesocarpic regions are heterogeneously developed than the other studied cypselas where mesocarpic regions are homogenously developed. In the cypsela of Arctium lappa, crystal is present in the mesocarpic region but in six studied cypselas crystals are absent. Presence of secretary duct is also an important taxonomic character and which is present in the mesocarpic region of the cypsela of Mantisalca salmantica and Cirsium candelabrum. In remaining five studied cypselas, secretary ducts are absent. In the cypsela of Cirsium candelabrum, internal to the testal region vellicular cavity is present, whereas in the cypsela of Xeranthemum annuum, vellicular cavity is present within the mesocarpic region. In the cypsela of Saussurea fastuosa and Xeranthemum annuum, testal layers are made up of round-elongated, uni-seriately arranged, parenchyma cells, whereas in rest studied cypselas, testal layers are made up of vertically arranged, thick-walled, palisade parenchyma cells.
Labially impacted maxillary canines after the closed eruption technique and orthodontic traction: A split‐mouth comparison of periodontal recession

BACKGROUND Labially impacted maxillary canines may lack periodontal tissue after orthodontic traction. This study evaluated the periodontal status of labially impacted maxillary canines after the closed eruption technique followed by orthodontic traction and investigated pretreatment variables affecting periodontal changes. METHODS Patients with one labially impacted maxillary canine (impaction group) and one contralateral normal canine (control group) were selected retrospectively. Maxillary canine pretreatment variables (angle, depth, sector, and Nolla stage) were determined from initial panoramic radiography. Periodontal outcomes including sulcus probing depth, bone probing depth, keratinized gingiva width (KGW), attached gingiva width (AGW), clinical crown length (CCL), cemento-enamel junction to alveolar crest (CEJ-AC) distance, root length, and bone support were measured from radiographic and clinical examinations after treatment and compared between the two groups. Pretreatment variables affecting the periodontal outcomes were determined using linear regression analyses. RESULTS Fifty-four patients (21 males and 33 females; mean age, 12.85 years) were enrolled. The KGW, AGW, and root length were shorter; the CCL and CEJ-AC distance were longer; and the bone support on the interproximal sides was less in the impaction group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The root length was shorter with higher Nolla stages and the distal alveolar crest was lower with deep and mesially angulated impaction (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS After the closed eruption technique, impacted canines exhibited slight but clinically insignificant periodontal recession compared with the contralateral normal tooth. The root developmental stage and pretreatment depth and angle may influence periodontal recession.
Time trends, disease patterns and gender imbalance in the top 100 most cited articles in ophthalmology

We analysed the 100 top cited articles in ophthalmology to identify and characterise the most influential articles of the past four decades. Two independent investigators searched the Scopus database to determine the 100 most frequently cited articles in ophthalmology (T100-Eye) and general non-ophthalmology journals (T100-Gen) published from 1975 to December 2017. The T100-Eye list consisted of 83 original articles and 17 reviews, and the number of citations ranged from 582 to 2833. Seventy-eight of these articles were published in three journals alone (impact factor (IF): 5.05–8.2), led by the Archives of Ophthalmology. The T100-Gen list consisted of 84 original articles and 16 reviews and the number of citations ranged from 358 to 3272. Forty-five of these articles were published in four journals alone (IF: 9.66–72.41). In both lists, majority of the first authors were from the USA (T100-Eye, n=80; T100-Gen, n=66), and were men (n=76 in T100-Eye; n=72 in T100-Gen). With regard to the article type, in the T100-Eye, among the 83 original research articles, most were randomised controlled trials (n=26) or clinical observational studies related to description of a new condition or new management (n=26). In the T100-Gen, of the 84 original research articles, many were clinical observational studies (n=27) or basic science research (n=26). In both lists, the most frequently examined diseases were age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. Our analysis reveals landmark articles, trends and medical advancements in ophthalmology over the past four decades. It also highlights gender disparity and influence of the USA in seminal ophthalmic research.
Food addiction among men and women in India

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to address a cultural gap in the food addiction (FA) literature by examining FA and associated clinical features in a nonclinical group of men and women residing in India. METHOD Participants (N = 415) were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk to complete an online survey about weight and eating. Participants completed self-report measures assessing FA (Yale Food Addiction Scale [YFAS]), eating-disorder psychopathology (Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire [EDE-Q]), health-related quality of life (Short Form Health Survey-12-item version [SF-12]), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2). RESULTS The FA symptom mean was 3.53 (SD = 1.90); 32.5% (n = 129) met FA clinical threshold on the YFAS. Groups categorized with and without FA on the YFAS did not differ significantly in sex or body mass index. YFAS scores were significantly correlated with greater frequency of binge eating, higher severity scores on all EDE-Q subscales, higher depression, and poorer functioning scores on the SF-12 (all ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS FA, as conceptualized and measured by the YFAS, appears to be common among individuals residing in India.
Magnolol Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation via Suppression of RANKL Expression

Magnolol, a compound from the traditional Korean herb Magnolia sp. , has been exhaustively investigated as a therapeutic agent against several diseases including systemic and local inflammation. We examined the effects of magnolol on osteoclastic differentiation associated with inflammation. Magnolol markedly reduced interleukin (IL)-1-induced osteoclast formation in co-cultures of murine osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, whereas it had no effect on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation in bone marrow macrophage cultures. In osteoblasts, magnolol markedly inhibited both the up-regulation of RANKL expression and the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in response to IL-1 treatment. Addition of exogenous PGE2 reversed the inhibitory effects of magnolol on IL-1-induced RANKL expression in osteoblasts and osteoclast formation in co-cultures. Magnolol inhibited IL-1-induced PGE2 production, at least in part by suppressing cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. Taken together, these results demonstrate that magnolol inhibits IL-1-induced RANKL expression in osteoblasts through suppression of COX-2 expression and PGE2 production, resulting in inhibition of osteoclast differentiation in co-cultures.
Ranking of Production Animal Welfare and Ethics Issues in Australia and New Zealand by Veterinary Students

The importance of animal welfare and ethics (AWE) within the veterinary education should reflect community concerns and expectations about AWE, and the professional demands of veterinary accreditation on the first day of practice (or ‘Day One’ competences). Currently, much interest and debate surrounds the treatment of production animals, particularly around live export. To explore the attitudes to AWE of veterinary students in Australia and New Zealand, a survey was undertaken to (i) understand what students consider important AWE topics for initial production animal competence; and (ii) ascertain how these priorities correlated with gender, area of intended practice and stage-of-study. The results from 575 veterinary students showed that all students ranked strategies to address painful husbandry procedures as the most important issues on their first day in production animal practice. Additionally, it was found that the importance students assigned to an understanding of human–animal interactions declined as they progressed through the veterinary course. In contrast, the importance of an understanding of euthanasia issues for production animals increased for male students as they progressed through the course, and remained consistently high in females. Females also gave higher ranking to the importance of understanding production animal stress associated with transport, and ranked strategies to address painful husbandry procedures more important than did males. These findings should help the development of AWE teaching resources that address students’ attitudes and competence and that can be delivered when students are most receptive.
Assessment of the Weldability of T-Welded Joints in 10 mm Thick TMCP Steel Using Laser Beam

The article presents tests aimed to verify the possibility of Thermomechanically Controlled Processed (TMCP) steels T-joints laser welding. The 10 mm thick high-yield-point steel S700MC obtained in an industrial manufacturing process was used for tests of laser welding. The joints made during the tests were single- and double-sided. Subsequent nondestructive tests revealed that the laser-welded joints represented quality level B in accordance with PN-EN ISO 13919-1. Single-sided welding performed at the output laser beam power of 11 kW provided the penetration depth of just 8 mm without visibly deforming of the joint. The double-sided welded joints were characterized by proper geometry and the presence of gas pores in the welds not compromising the requirements of quality level B (strict requirements). The identified weld structure was bainitic-ferritic. The weld hardness was by approximately 60 HV1 higher than that of the base material (280 HV1). The HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) area was slightly softer than the base material. The tests of thin foils performed using a high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscope revealed that, during welding, an increase in the content of the base material in the weld was accompanied by an increase in contents of alloying microagents Ti and Nb, particularly near the fusion line. The above-named alloying microagents, in the form of fine-dispersive (Ti,Nb)(C,N) type precipitates, could reduce plastic properties of joints.
Overweight and obesity affect clinical assessment of synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of ultrasonography and clinical exam.

OBJECTIVES Body mass index (BMI) might affect rheumatoid arthritis (RA) outcomes. Clinical assessment of swollen joint count (SJC) might also be affected by obesity in terms of obesity-related excess adipose tissue. In this study, we compared ultrasonography (US) and clinical examination in assessing the effect of BMI on RA disease activity assessment. METHODS This was a single-centre study including RA (ACR/EULAR criteria) patients. US assessment was performed by one trained rheumatologist blinded to clinical data. US synovitis was defined as grey-scale score ≥2 and/or power Doppler score ≥1. The primary outcome measure was difference in SJC (ΔSJC) between clinical and US assessment (US-clinical examination). The secondary outcome was to evaluate the difference between clinical and US assessment of the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (ΔDAS28) in the 3 BMI subgroups according to the WHO classification. RESULTS We included 76 RA patients (mean age 53.8 ± 11.8 years; 67% female). Overall, 28 (36.8%), 33 (43.4%) and 15 (19.7%) were normal weight, overweight and obese, respectively. Baseline characteristics did not differ between the 3 BMI subgroups. US-determined SJC was significantly higher than clinical-determined SJC for overweight and obese RA patients: p=0.001 and p=0.049, respectively. The DAS28 was higher with US than clinical examination within the overweight group only (p=0.002). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference between ΔDAS28 among the 3 BMI subgroups (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS In high BMI RA patients both SJC and DAS28 seem to be undervalued by clinical assessment when compared to US.
Twelve tips for developing key-feature questions (KFQ) for effective assessment of clinical reasoning

Abstract Clinical reasoning is the cognitive process that makes it possible for us to reach conclusions from clinical data. “A key feature (KF) is defined as a significant step in the resolution of a clinical problem. Examinations using key-feature questions (KFQs) focus on a challenging aspect in the diagnosis and management of a clinical problem where the candidates are most likely to make errors. ” KFs have been used at different levels of medical education and practice, from undergraduate to certification examinations. KFQs illuminate the strengths and limits of an individual’s clinical problem-solving ability. These types of items are more likely than other forms of assessment to discriminate among stronger or weaker candidates in the area of clinical reasoning. The 12 tips in this article will provide guidance to faculty who wish to develop KFQs for their tests.
Evaluation of the performance of serum miRNAs as normalizers in microRNA studies focused on cardiovascular disease.

Background Few study has been done to evaluate the stability and superiority of normalizers for serum microRNA (miRNA) study in cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the suitability of several common normalizers (miR-16, SNOU6, 5S, miR-19b, miR-24, miR-15b, let 7i) in cardiovascular disease. Methods We evaluated the stability of the seven circulating miRNAs as reference genes in the blood samples from patients with cardiovascular disease [heart failure (HF) and hypertension] and healthy people. Stability was quantified by combining BestKeeper, NormFinder and comparative delta Cq analysis. Results A total of 62 subjects were included in this study, of which 25 patients were with HF, 10 patients were with hypertension, and 27 were healthy people. The analysis from both BestKeeper and comparative delta ct analysis demonstrated that let-7i and miR-16 showed the best performance [the standard deviations (SD) in BestKeeper for let-7i and miR-16 were 0.60 and 0.72, and the mean SD in comparative delta ct analysis for let-7i and miR-16 were 1.79 and 1.82, respectively], while SNOU6 and 5S had the highest variability. In NormFinder analysis, miR-15 show best stability (ρ=0.029), followed by miR-19b (ρ=0.037), let-7i (ρ=0.064), SNOU6 (ρ=0.064), 5S (ρ=0.064), miR-16 (ρ=0.064), while miR-24 (ρ=0.075) showed worst stability. Conclusions This study pointed out that in the serum studies focused on cardiovascular disease, let-7i and miR-16 had the best performance, while SNOU6 and 5S were not suitable as reference gene. This study indicate that the selection of an optimal reference genes is important to get an accurate result in serum miRNA studies, the findings are of clinical significance to guide the further miRNA studies or tests.
LncRNA MALAT1 is Neuroprotective in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through miR-204 Regulation.

BACKGROUND This study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of long noncoding RNAs Metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript-1 (lncRNA MALAT-1) in Spinal Cord Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury (SCIRI). METHODS Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to examine the expressions of MALAT1, miR-204 and Bcl-2, while western blot was performed to examine Bcl-2. Besides, apoptosis was evaluated by the percentage of cell viability and apoptotic cells. Neurological evaluation was performed by measuring hindlimb locomotor function. RESULTS The expression of MALAT1 and Bcl-2 was decreased, while miRNA-204 (miR-204) was up-regulated in rats SCIRI model and neurocyte lines under hypoxic conditions. Oxygen, Glucose Deprivation (OGD) promoted apoptosis of neurocytes, downregulated MALAT1 and Bcl-2 and elevated miR-204 expression, however, overexpression of MALAT1 notably reversed this trend. Nevertheless, knockdown of MALAT1 increased cell apoptosis, decreased MALAT1 and Bcl-2 but upregulated miR-204. MALAT1 overexpression-induced anti-apoptosis and knockdowninduced pro-apoptosis were obviously reversed by synchronously overexpression and knockdown of miR-204, respectively. MALAT1-treated SCIRI rats exhibited lower Motor Deficit Index (MDI) scores, higher levels of MALAT1 and Bcl-2 expression and lower miR-204 expression. CONCLUSION Our data suggested that MALAT1 exerted neuroprotective effect in a rat model of SCIRI by regulating miR-204.
Applicability increases the effect of misattribution on judgment

ABSTRACT Feelings and cognitions influence judgment through attribution. For instance, the attribution of positive feelings and cognitions to a stimulus leads to a positive judgment of that stimulus. We examined whether misattribution is moderated by the applicability of a distractor to the judgment question. For instance, when are people more likely to attribute to a target person the affective and cognitive experiences triggered by a kitten – when trying to judge the person’s cuteness or trustworthiness? The kitten triggers experiences specifically relevant to cuteness, but people might more easily suspect the kitten’s potential influence when judging cuteness rather than trustworthiness. Using the Affect Misattribution Procedure, we found that applicability increases the effect of misattribution on valenced judgments. The results emphasise the importance of specific information (rather than only general valence) in attribution and suggest that high applicability of distractors to the judgment question does not elicit effective correction.