Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Praxic and executive components in tool use learning: The role of imitation

Recent research in comparative psychology suggests that similarities between the behaviour of two individuals may not be the consequence of imitation only, but also of nonimitative social-learning processes. In the present study we aimed to investigate whether these alternative learning processes can take place in human adults, specifically in patients whose ability to imitate has been reduced by brain damage. Left (LBD) and right (RBD) brain-damaged patients were asked to perform four tool use tasks in three experimental conditions: exposure to the apparatus (N); demonstration of the correct solution (C); and demonstration of a failed attempt followed by the correct solution to the problem (I + C). Results suggest that the left hemisphere is indeed critical for action and that selective neuropsychological deficits can affect action imitation and selection of goal-directed movements, independently from each other. Findings also indicate that when the ability to imitate actions is lowered emulation may become available.
Identification of the Genome Segments of Bluetongue Virus Serotype 26 (Isolate KUW2010/02) that Restrict Replication in a Culicoides sonorensis Cell Line (KC Cells)

Bluetongue virus (BTV) can infect most ruminant species and is usually transmitted by adult, vector-competent biting midges (Culicoides spp.). Infection with BTV can cause severe clinical signs and can be fatal, particularly in naïve sheep and some deer species. Although 24 distinct BTV serotypes were recognized for several decades, additional ‘types’ have recently been identified, including BTV-25 (from Switzerland), BTV-26 (from Kuwait) and BTV-27 from France (Corsica). Although BTV-25 has failed to grow in either insect or mammalian cell cultures, BTV-26 (isolate KUW2010/02), which can be transmitted horizontally between goats in the absence of vector insects, does not replicate in a Culicoides sonorensis cell line (KC cells) but can be propagated in mammalian cells (BSR cells). The BTV genome consists of ten segments of linear dsRNA. Mono-reassortant viruses were generated by reverse-genetics, each one containing a single BTV-26 genome segment in a BTV-1 genetic-background. However, attempts to recover a mono-reassortant containing genome-segment 2 (Seg-2) of BTV-26 (encoding VP2), were unsuccessful but a triple-reassortant was successfully generated containing Seg-2, Seg-6 and Seg-7 (encoding VP5 and VP7 respectively) of BTV-26. Reassortants were recovered and most replicated well in mammalian cells (BSR cells). However, mono-reassortants containing Seg-1 or Seg-3 of BTV-26 (encoding VP1, or VP3 respectively) and the triple reassortant failed to replicate, while a mono-reassortant containing Seg-7 of BTV-26 only replicated slowly in KC cells.
Viral abundance and activity in the deep sub-seafloor biosphere

Subsurface abundance and distribution of viruses and prokaryotes was determined along a depth profile, down to 96 m below seafloor (96 mbsf), at Challenger Mound from the Porcubine Seabight (IODP Expedition 307). Viral and prokary- otic abundance decreased exponentially with sedi- ment depth from 1.0 × 10 8 viruses cm -3 and 3.8 × 10 6 cells cm -3 at 4 mbsf to 4.9 × 10 6 viruses cm -3 and 9.8 × 10 5 cells cm -3 at 96 mbsf. The age of the sediment ranges from ca. 0.5 million yr before present (Ma) at 4 mbsf to ca. 2 Ma at 96 mbsf. Assuming that the decline in viral abundance with depth reflects a gradual decay of the viral assemblage over time, the estimated decay rate of the viral community is 1.2 × 10 -6 ± 0.3 × 10 -6 (SD) yr -1 , corresponding to a half-life of the viral community of 5.8 × 10 5 yr. Measurements of viral and prokaryotic change in abundance were performed in incubations of undi- luted, but homogenized, sediment samples (13.3 and 79.8 mbsf) in anaerobic bags. Viral abundance de- creased rapidly (decay rates of 0.010 ± 0.002 (SD) and 0.022 ± 0.018 (SD) h -1 , respectively) in the incu- bations, suggesting that homogenization exposed the viruses to degradation processes. We hypothe- size that most of the deep subsurface viral communi- ties inhabit a microenvironment where the viruses are protected against decay, and can therefore per- sist in undisturbed sediments for hundreds of thou- sands, perhaps even millions, of years.
Reward-Related Genes and Personality Traits in Alcohol-Dependent Individuals: A Pilot Case Control Study

Components of the brain reward system, i.e. the mesolimbic dopamine, laterodorsal cholinergic and ghrelin signaling systems, have been implicated in alcohol reward in preclinical studies. Genetic variants of these systems have previously been linked to alcohol dependence. Here, we genotyped 31 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs): 1 SNP in the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene, 20 SNPs in 5 different nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (CHRN*) genes, and 10 SNPs in the genes encoding pro-ghrelin (GHRL) and its receptor (GHSR), in a pilot study of type 1 alcoholics (n = 84) and healthy controls (n = 32). These individuals were characterized using the Temperament and Character Inventory. None of the SNPs were associated with risk of alcohol dependence in this population. The GG genotype of SNP rs13261190 in the CHRNB3 was associated with increased novelty seeking, while SNPs of the ghrelin signaling system were associated with decreased self-directedness (AA of rs495225, GHSR) and alterations in self-transcendence (AA of both rs42451 and rs35680, GHRL). In conclusion, this pilot study suggests that reward-related genes are associated with altered personality scores in type 1 alcohol dependence, which warrants future studies of these associations in larger study samples.
Interventions to Improve Late Life.

This is an expanded version of comments on the future of the demography of aging at an invited session of the 2008 annual meeting of the Population Association of America. In an introduction, John Haaga offers reasons for a revival of interest in population aging, including greater realization of plasticity in aging trajectories at both individual and societal levels. Linda Martin proposes that population scientists working in aging emulate those studying fertility and family planning in previous decades, learning from interventions (in this case, aimed at increasing retirement savings and reducing disability at older ages). Changes in family structure will increasingly affect new cohorts of the elderly, and Linda Waite speculates on the ways in which changes in the economy, medicine, and the legal environment could affect the social context for aging. Research on mortality at older ages is "alive and well" asserts James Vaupel, who sets out six large questions on mortality trends and differentials over time and across species. Lastly, Wolfgang Lutz expands the scope of projections, showing the considerable uncertainty about the timing and pace of population aging in the developing world and the effects on future elderly of the increases in educational attainment in much of the world during the second half of the twentieth century. Copyright (c) 2009 The Population Council, Inc.
transesophageal echocardio graphy : a review of recent literature 2007 – 2009

Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology 2010, 23:80–88 Purpose of review The use of two-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is nearly universal in cardiac surgical operating rooms around the world. Cardiac anesthesiologists or cardiologists perform these examinations, facilitating significant advancements in surgical techniques by the immediacy and accuracy of intra-operative ultrasound imaging. Three-dimensional (3D) TEE capabilities have been available since the 1990s but penetration has been poor. With the advent of real-time 3D TEE, interest in this technology has increased dramatically. This is a comprehensive review of English language publications in the field from 2007 to 2009. Recent findings This review utilized Pubmed databases, with search strategy based on primary key words: 3D echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac surgery, and/or cardiopulmonary bypass. Three major areas of clinical practice are impacted by the findings of these studies: cardiac valve repair and replacement, assessment of ventricular function, and image guidance for percutaneous procedures. Summary The review resulted in the conclusion that 3D TEE provides unique and dynamic 3D spatial information that cannot be obtained by 2D TEE or fluoroscopy. In addition to technical and process advancements, future studies should address educational value in terms of acceleration of learning curves, and impact on surgical decision making.
Brain damage in pigs produced by impact with a non-penetrating captive bolt pistol.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of impact with a nonpenetrating captive bolt pistol in pigs by studying the resulting traumatic brain injury (TBI) and to compare the pathological changes with those found previously in the brains of sheep using a similar experimental paradigm. PROCEDURE The unrestrained heads of six, anaesthetised, 7- to 8-week-old, Large White pigs were impacted in the temporal region with a nonpenetrating captive bolt pistol. Four hours postimpact, brains were perfusion-fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde. Coronal sections from six levels along the brain were cut and stained with haematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemically for amyloid precursor protein, a sensitive marker of axonal injury (AI) in the brain after trauma. RESULTS TBI in pigs was characterised only by very mild AI, whereas AI in sheep after captive bolt impact to the same head region was much more severe and widely distributed and often associated with vascular damage such as contusions, subarachnoid and intraparenchymal haemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS TBI in pigs was much less severe than in sheep after non-penetrating mechanical impact of similar magnitude, confirming the importance of interspecies differences in determining an appropriate physical method of euthanasia.
Ethnomedicinal Survey of Medicinal Plants Used for the Treatment of Diabetes and Jaundice Among the Villagers of Sivagangai District, Tamilnadu

The present study revealed that totally 12 and 10 modes of treatment were followed by the rural people of Sivagangai district to cure diabetes and jaundice respectively. The rural people of the study area were used 17 plants for diabetes and 12 for jaundice. Among them, 6 plants viz., Azadirachta indica, Carum nothum, Cynodon dactylon, Lablab purpureus, Momordica charantia and Phyllanthus amarus were used to cure both diabetes and jaundice. The plants were used either separately or in combination with other plants. These ethnomedicinal data may provide a base to start the search the new compounds related to phytochemistry, pharmacology and pharmacognosy. Attention should also be made on proper exploitation and utilization of these medicinal plants.
Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 2 (CSPG2) Gene Polymorphisms rs173686 and rs251124 are not Associated with Intracranial Aneurysms in Chinese Han Nationality

Background. There is evidence suggesting that genetic variants in the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan2 (CSPG2, also known as versican) gene are involved in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms (IAs). Some authors have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs173686 and rs251124 in the promoter region of the CSPG2 gene are associated with IAs. We performed a case-control study to investigate whether these SNPs might affect the development of IAs in Chinese Han nationality. Methods. The study group comprised 240 Chinese Han nationality patients with at least one intracranial aneurysm and 240 healthy Han nationality controls. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood leukocytes. The SNPs rs173686 and rs251124 were genotyped by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing. Differences in genotype and allele frequencies between patients and controls were tested by the chi-square method. Results. Genotype and allele frequencies of the SNPs rs173686 and rs251124 were both demonstrated to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. No significant difference in genotype or allele frequencies between case and control groups was detected at either of the two SNPs. Conclusions. The data do not support the hypothesis that the two SNPs (rs173686 and rs251124) in the promoter region of the CSPG2 gene influence the development of intracranial aneurysms in Chinese Han nationality.
Racing With or Against the Machine? Evidence from Europe

A fast-growing literature shows that technological change is replacing labor in routine tasks, raising concerns that labor is racing against the machine. This paper is the first to estimate the labor demand effects of routine-replacing technological change (RRTC) for Europe as a whole and at the level of 238 European regions. We develop and estimate a task framework of regional labor demand in tradable and non-tradable industries, building on Autor & Dorn (2013a) and Goos, Manning and Salomons (2014), and distinguish the main channels through which technological change affects labor demand. These channels include the direct substitution of capital for labor in task production, but also the compensating effects operating through product demand and local demand spillovers. Our results show that RRTC has on net led to positive labor demand effects across 27 European countries over 1999-2010, indicating that labor is racing with the machine. This is not due to limited scope for human-machine substitution, but rather because sizable substitution effects have been overcompensated by product demand and its associated spillovers. However, the size of the product demand spillover -- and therefore also RRTC's total labor demand effect-- depends critically on where the gains from the increased productivity of technological capital accrue.
Liver Complications Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Although liver dysfunction is not considered the main organ pathology or prognostic factor in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), it is not uncommon during the course of SLE. Liver complications in patients with SLE may be caused by lupus hepatitis (SLE-related hepatitis); autoimmune liver diseases, such as Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) and Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC); viral hepatitis; and drug-induced liver injury. Here, liver complications in patients with SLE are reviewed.
Evaluation of novel whole-body high-resolution rodent SPECT (Linoview) based on direct acquisition of linogram projections.

UNLABELLED Studies of the biodistribution of radiolabeled compounds in rodents frequently are performed during the process of development of new pharmaceutical drugs. This article presents the evaluation of a new whole-body animal SPECT system, called the Linoview SPECT system. METHODS Linoview SPECT is based on the linear orbit acquisition technique associated with slit-aperture collimators mounted on 4 pixelated CsI(Na) detectors composed of an array of small, individual crystal elements. Sliding iridium rods allow variation of the collimator aperture. Hot-rod and cold-rod phantoms filled with (99m)Tc were imaged. Mice were imaged, and kidney radioactivity was measured after injection of (99m)Tc-dimercaptosuccinic acid and (111)In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-d-Phe(1)-octreotide ((111)In-pentetreotide; Octreo-Scan(111)). RESULTS Phantom studies showed that hot rods separated by 0.35 mm can be distinguished and that 0.65-mm-diameter cold rods can be visualized, both at low-counting-rate acquisitions (111 and 59 MBq x h, respectively). In both mouse studies, the SPECT images allowed a clear delineation of the radioactivity concentrated over the cortex area of the kidneys, whereas the pelvis and the pelviureteral junction (1 mm) appeared as cold areas. The quantitative data derived from SPECT were in good agreement with the radioactivity counting obtained with a gamma-counter after isolation of the kidneys. In addition, in the mouse injected with (111)In-pentetreotide, the kidney radioactivity distribution seen with SPECT was in agreement with the ex vivo autoradiograms of the isolated kidneys. CONCLUSION The phantom studies showed a clear improvement of the spatial resolution over the results reported in the literature with other dedicated small-animal SPECT systems, especially in cold-rod phantom studies. The increased performance can be ascribed to the high stability of the system with regard to the statistical noise present in the acquired data. The mouse studies showed that this system will be most useful for in vivo high-resolution SPECT and quantitative biodistribution studies in rodents, even with medium-energy radioisotopes that are difficult to image, such as (111)In.
Electrophysiological Correlates of Retrieval Processing: Effects of Consistent versus Inconsistent Retrieval Demands

Studies employing event-related potentials (ERPs) during tests of recognition memory have reported differences in neural activity elicited by new test items according to the specific demands of the retrieval task, such as retrieving studied words versus pictures. The present study investigated whether differential processing of new items is possible when retrieval demands vary unpredictably on a trial-by-trial basis. In separate study-test phases, subjects encoded lists of intermixed words and pictures, and undertook retrieval tests with words as test items. Each test item was preceded by a task cue that signaled whether subjects were to attempt to retrieve a word or a picture from the study list. In the blockedcondition, the targeted study material remained constant throughout the test, whereas in the mixedcondition, the targeted material varied unpredictably across trials. New-item ERPs were more positive-going when words rather than pictures were targeted in the blocked condition, replicating previous findings, but this effect was absent in the mixedcondition. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that differential processing of retrieval cues depends upon the adoption of different task sets (retrieval orientations that develop over multiple trials and cannot be adjusted merely in response to an instructional cue. Unlike the new-item ERPs, ERPs elicited by the task cues in the mixed condition differed according to targeted material, but only on trials when there was a switch between target material. The implications of these findings for understanding the different retrieval strategies engaged when retrieval demands are consistent versus inconsistent are discussed.
Proportional-derivative controllers for stabilisation of first-order processes with time delay

This paper considers the problems of determining the complete stabilising set of proportional-derivative controllers for a first-order process with time delay. First, by employing a version of the Hermite–Biehler theorem applicable to quasi-polynomials, a complete set of all stabilising proportional-derivative parameters for first-order processes with constant time delay are obtained. Next, we provide an approach to design a robust PD controller to stabilise a first-order process with uncertain time delay, which lies inside a known interval.
Blood loss estimation in epistaxis scenarios

Thirty-two members of staff from the Ear, Nose and Throat Department at Warrington General Hospital were asked to estimate blood loss in commonly encountered epistaxis scenarios. Results showed that once the measured volume was above 100 ml, visual estimation became grossly inaccurate. Comparison of medical and non-medical staff showed under-estimation was more marked in the non-medical group. Comparison of doctors versus nurses showed no difference in estimation, and no difference was found between grades of staff.
Fibroid-related menorrhagia: treatment with superselective embolization of the uterine arteries and midterm follow-up.

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate the effectiveness and safety of selective embolization of the uterine arteries in the management of symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty consecutive women (mean age, 44.7 years) with symptomatic uterine leiomyoma, none of whom desired future pregnancy, underwent superselective embolization of the uterine arteries with polyvinyl alcohol particles. In all women, arterial embolization was performed because of persistent, fibroid-related menorrhagia after failure of hormonal therapy. Follow-up consisted of office visits at 2, 6, 12, and 24 months and of ultrasonography at 2 and 6 months after the procedure. RESULTS Bilateral embolization of the uterine arteries was performed in 76 women; unilateral embolization, in four women. Menorrhagia disappeared in 72 (90%) women. In five (6%) women (including three women with unilateral embolization), clinical improvement was not observed, and myomectomy was needed. In one woman with a large submucosal uterine leiomyoma, hysterectomy was needed because of septic uterine necrosis. Normal menstruation resumed in all but six women. Full-term pregnancy occurred in three women after the procedure. CONCLUSION Superselective arterial embolization of the uterine arteries is an effective means of controlling symptomatic uterine leiomyoma. However, the ideal embolic regimen remains to be determined.
Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation of the Ankle

Background Treatment of full-thickness talar cartilage defects that have failed previous surgery is problematic without a definitive solution. Purpose To report the first US prospective study of autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus. Study Design Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods Eleven patients (6 women and 5 men; mean age, 33 years) underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus after previous failed surgical management. There were 9 medial and 2 lateral lesions, with a mean size of 21 × 13 mm (273 mm2). Five patients underwent autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus alone; 6 had it with a “sandwich procedure. ” Ten patients underwent a second-look arthroscopy with screw removal. Results Mean follow-up was 38 months. Preoperatively, 10 patients rated their ankles as poor and 1 as fair, using the simplified symptomatology evaluation. At latest follow-up, 3 patients were classified as excellent, 6 as good, and 2 as fair. Tegner activity level improved from 1.3 ± 1.0 (mean ± SE) preoperatively to 4.0 ± 1.6 (P <. 002) postoperatively. The Finsen score (modified Weber score) showed significant improvement in the total score (P <. 001). There was also overall agreement between the Finsen score and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score, with significant improvement from 47.4 ± 17.4 preoperatively to 84.3 ± 8.1 postoperatively (P <. 001). At repeat arthroscopy, complete coverage of the defect was seen in all patients. Conclusion Autologous chondrocyte implantation of the talus yields significant functional improvement; however, further investigation is necessary to determine the long-term structural and biomechanical properties of the repair tissue.
Does prophylactic intra-aortic balloon pumping really fail to improve perioperative outcomes in patients with poor left ventricular function?

e728 www.ccmjournal. org November 2014 • Volume 42 • Number 11 First, after publication of the Intraaortic Balloon Pump in Cardiogenic Shock II (IABP-SHOCK II) trial data (3), is there still a role for the IABP in cardiogenic shock or should use of the IABP be replaced by percutaneous left ventricular assist devices (pLVADs)? After all, pLVADs are able to provide better hemodynamic support (4), however, without final proof of benefit on clinical endpoints (5). Second, in which patients, and when, should we escalate to VA-ECMO support? And finally, should VA-ECMO support be combined with either IABP or pLVAD? I strongly encourage all investigators involved in cardiogenic shock to join our forces and test these questions in adequately powered multicenter randomized controlled trials. The author has disclosed that he does not have any potential conflicts of interest.