Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spatial Frequency Tuning during the Conscious and Non-Conscious Perception of Emotional Facial Expressions – An Intracranial ERP Study

Previous studies have shown that complex visual stimuli, such as emotional facial expressions, can influence brain activity independently of the observers’ awareness. Little is known yet, however, about the “informational correlates” of consciousness – i.e., which low-level information correlates with brain activation during conscious vs. non-conscious perception. Here, we investigated this question in the spatial frequency (SF) domain. We examined which SFs in disgusted and fearful faces modulate activation in the insula and amygdala over time and as a function of awareness, using a combination of intracranial event-related potentials (ERPs), SF Bubbles (Willenbockel et al., 2010a), and Continuous Flash Suppression (CFS; Tsuchiya and Koch, 2005). Patients implanted with electrodes for epilepsy monitoring viewed face photographs (13° × 7°) that were randomly SF filtered on a trial-by-trial basis. In the conscious condition, the faces were visible; in the non-conscious condition, they were rendered invisible using CFS. The data were analyzed by performing multiple linear regressions on the SF filters from each trial and the transformed ERP amplitudes across time. The resulting classification images suggest that many SFs are involved in the conscious and non-conscious perception of emotional expressions, with SFs between 6 and 10 cycles per face width being particularly important early on. The results also revealed qualitative differences between the awareness conditions for both regions. Non-conscious processing relied on low SFs more and was faster than conscious processing. Overall, our findings are consistent with the idea that different pathways are employed for the processing of emotional stimuli under different degrees of awareness. The present study represents a first step to mapping how SF information “flows” through the emotion-processing network with a high temporal resolution and to shedding light on the informational correlates of consciousness in general.
Intergenerational transmission of age at first birth in the Netherlands for birth cohorts born between 1935 and 1984: Evidence from municipal registers

Whereas most research on the intergenerational transmission of fertility behaviour has focused on transmission of the number of children, this paper studies the transmission of the timing of first births. Specific attention is paid to changes in the strength of transmission across cohorts. Theoretically, it is unclear whether the strength of intergenerational transmission of entry into parenthood can be expected to increase or to decrease across cohorts. Event history analyses of data in Dutch registers show a substantial degree of intergenerational transmission in the age at which people have their first child. The degree of transmission from mothers to children increases for successive cohorts. Intergenerational transmission becomes weaker the longer children postpone entry into parenthood. At young ages transmission from mothers to children is stronger than from fathers to children.
The burden of influenza in children

Purpose of review This review summarizes recent studies that better address the burden of influenza from the medical and socioeconomic perspectives. The issue of influenza in children is one that has implications for future universal vaccination policies. Recent findings In the past, the burden of influenza in children was largely defined by hospital-based studies that quantify the incidence of influenza hospitalization and, consequently, the benefit of prevention in young children. The medical and the socioeconomic impact have been better appreciated recently with population-based studies because the great majority of children are managed as outpatients. Children with influenza may not have direct contact with medical services but still generate substantial costs in carer illness or work-day loss. Furthermore, the specificity offered by laboratory confirmation of influenza has enabled influenza to be separated from other respiratory viruses that may have confounded previous studies looking at the medical and economic costs of illness. Summary Better understanding of the burden of influenza in healthy children regarding hospitalization rates, outpatient medical visits, community-managed illness and socioeconomic impact on families and society exists; this has potential implications for universal vaccination policies under consideration.
Microarray analysis of micro-ribonucleic acid expression in primary immunoglobulin A nephropathy.

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship between immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and microRNA (miRNA). METHODS We analyzed the miRNA expression profiles in renal biopsies from 11 IgAN patients and 3 controls at the Kidney Transplantation and Hemo Purification Center of 181 Hospital, China, from May to October 2007, using a mammalian miRNA microarray containing whole human mature and precursor miRNA sequences. RESULTS This study identified 132 miRNAs in renal samples, of which 35 miRNAs up-regulated in IgAN biopsies. The chip results were confirmed by northern blot analysis and by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests. CONCLUSION Our study may help clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN, and miRNAs potentially serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker of IgAN.
A New Device to Detect Early Cartilage Degeneration

Background Currently available arthroscopic techniques do not allow the quantification of cartilage stiffness without direct mechanical indentation or penetration of the tissue. Purpose A novel device, capable of quantifying cartilage stiffness during arthroscopy, is believed to detect degenerated cartilage. Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods The stiffness of biological materials was measured arthroscopically without contact between the instrument and the examined object. Object deformation was produced by a flow of sodium chloride and measured optically. Eight ovine femoral condyles and tibial plateaus were tested in a native and degenerated (0.1% trypsin solution) state. Cartilage stiffness was nondestructively determined by using the new device and by indentation methods. In addition, a standard probe was measured by 5 independent users. Results The trypsin caused cartilage degeneration and consequently stiffness reduction, measured at 30.8% by the new device and 33.0% by indentation. A good correlation (r = 0.69) between the new device and the standard indentation procedure was observed. Intraindividual and interindividual variability of the new device were low (<10%). Conclusions The developed device has demonstrated the ability to quantify the mechanical quality of cartilage by means of mechanical stiffness measurements. Clinical Relevance The findings suggest that this device has the capability to detect cartilage degeneration at an early stage.
Neutron Damage Mechanisms in Charge Transfer Devices

A study of neutron damage mechanisms in charge transfer devices has been performed with emphasis placed on investigation of dark current increases. MOS capacitors were used to determine damage coefficients that are applicable to the radiation response of CCDs. Measurements of dark current density in CCDs were made following neutron bombardment. A unique value for generation-lifetime damage coefficient was determined (Kg = 7.0 × 106 n-sec/cm2) using MOS capacitors on both n- and p-type silicon substrates and this value was then used to calculate the expected change in dark current density with neutron fluence in a charge transfer device. The calculated value is in good agreement with the present experimental value of ~4×l0-11 nanoamps per neutron. A qualitative explanation is given to account for the nearly two-orders-of-magnitude difference between Kg and recombination-lifetime damage coefficients which is based in part on the nature of neutron damage in a depletion region. An explanation is also given to account for the more than six-orders-of-magnitude difference between Kg and storage-time damage coefficient. It is demonstrated that a moderate reduction in the operating temperature of a charge transfer device should result in substantial radiation tolerance in terms of neutron-induced increases in dark current.
Factual accuracy and trust in information: The role of expertise

In the past few decades, the task of judging the credibility of information has shifted from trained professionals (e.g., editors) to end users of information (e.g., casual Internet users). Lacking training in this task, it is highly relevant to research the behavior of these end users. In this article, we propose a new model of trust in information, in which trust judgments are dependent on three user characteristics: source experience, domain expertise, and information skills. Applying any of these three characteristics leads to different features of the information being used in trust judgments; namely source, semantic, and surface features (hence, the name 3S-model). An online experiment was performed to validate the 3S-model. In this experiment, Wikipedia articles of varying accuracy (semantic feature) were presented to Internet users. Trust judgments of domain experts on these articles were largely influenced by accuracy whereas trust judgments of novices remained mostly unchanged. Moreover, despite the influence of accuracy, the percentage of trusting participants, both experts and novices, was high in all conditions. Along with the rationales provided for such trust judgments, the outcome of the experiment largely supports the 3S-model, which can serve as a framework for future research on trust in information. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sleep apnoea and systemic hypertension.

This review divides the lines of argument and evidence into five parts: 1) How does obstructive sleep apnoea raise systemic blood pressure acutely? 2) Does obstructive sleep apnoea really raise diurnal systemic blood pressure in the long term and increase cardiovascular complications? 3) What is the evidence that an important proportion of patients with essential hypertension have appreciable sleep apnoea? 4) What is the epidemiological evidence that snoring is an independent risk factor for systemic hypertension and cardiovascular events? 5) What evidence do we need to establish whether snoring and sleep apnoea are important and underdiagnosed causes of essential hypertension or cardiovascular events?
A Model for Evaluating B 2 C eCommerce Websites : Application in the CD eRetailing Industry in Brazil

The scope of this research is to develop and test a model for evaluating B2C e-commerce websites quantitatively. Consequently, this study seeks to investigate the relationship between the website interface of B2C e-commerce and virtual customer behavior, emphasizing the purchasing attitude and intention. The objective of this paper is, therefore, to research which features of a virtual store effectively influence the user purchasing process via the Internet. In order to achieve this aim, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was adapted for pertinent theoretical references about consumer behavior on the web. The model developed was then tested and validated through a Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach. An empirical analysis of the CD e-retailing industry in Brazil was then conducted, as this is one of the most important areas of the B2C e-commerce realm. The study concludes that, for the electronic commerce of CDs, ease of use, trust, pleasure and attractiveness as perceived by visitors to CD e-retailing websites are key issues for understanding customer attitude and purchasing intention. Lastly, recommendations associated with the conclusions of this research are made, and further research options are proposed. Key-Words: B2C E-Commerce; Website Evaluation; E-Retailing; CD Industry; Brazil
Decline of rental housing in India: the case of Mumbai

The amount of rental housing in India has declined significantly over the years for various reasons, including the nature of the rent control laws. This paper assesses the impact of rent control for Mumbai, where it has created a shortfall in formal, affordable rental housing and contributed to distortions in the land market. The paper describes how “first-generation” rent control in Mumbai has led to deterioration of the existing rental housing stock, virtually halted the construction of new housing for rental in the city, and given rise to informal practices such as pagdi or key money. It also analyses the spatial concentration and composition of rent-controlled tenements in the city. It proposes reforms that would allow a gradual move towards rationalized rent controls, arguing that such second-generation controls will help incentivize investments in the rental sector and reduce the demand in the housing market at large, with implications for prices and affordable housing in particular.
Explaining the Poor Bacteriologic Eradication Rate of Single-Dose Ceftriaxone in Group A Streptococcal Tonsillopharyngitis: A Reverse Engineering Solution Using Pharmacodynamic Modeling

Objective. To explore pharmacokinetic factors underlying the poor bacteriologic eradication rate with a single 500-mg dose of ceftriaxone for streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis and to identify the minimum ceftriaxone dose required for effective treatment. Methods. Population modeling techniques were applied to pharmacokinetic data derived from paired plasma and tonsil samples from 153 children to assess the contribution of pharmacokinetic variability to patients' responses to ceftriaxone. In addition, a Monte Carlo simulation was performed to determine (1) the amount of time that free ceftriaxone concentrations must exceed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of group A Streptococcus to achieve bacteriologic eradication and (2) the ceftriaxone dose required to maintain free drug concentrations above the target MIC for the requisite amount of time. Ceftriaxone MICs for group A Streptococcus were obtained from a previous trial, in which all MICs (n = 115) were ≤0.064 mg/L; 33.9% were susceptible at ≤0.016 mg/L, 66.4% were susceptible at 0.032 mg/L, and 1.7% were susceptible at 0.064 mg/L. Results. Mean population pharmacokinetic parameters and their variances reflected substantial variability of clearance and half-life in the target population. Tonsillar ceftriaxone protein binding was 89.1%. The proportions of 1000 simulated patients with free ceftriaxone concentrations that exceeded MICs of 0.016 mg/L, 0.032 mg/L, and 0.064 mg/L at 24 hours were 71.7%, 65.4%, and 57.2%, respectively, and at 48 hours were 41.8%, 35.8%, and 28.6%, respectively. The amount of time that free ceftriaxone concentrations need to exceed MIC to achieve bacteriologic success was estimated to be 36 hours. Using this time criterion, two 500-mg doses of ceftriaxone separated by 18 hours should achieve a bacteriologic cure rate of ∼95%. Conclusions. Pharmacokinetic variability and high ceftriaxone tonsillar protein binding explain the high microbiologic failure rate for a single 500-mg dose of ceftriaxone in group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. Monte Carlo simulation suggests that a second dose administered 18 hours after the first will be required to achieve an acceptable bacteriologic cure rate.
TNFR2 maintains adequate IL-12 production by dendritic cells in inflammatory responses by regulating endogenous TNF levels

Sepsis-induced immune reactions are reduced in TNF receptor 2 (TNFR2)-deficient mice as previously shown. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, the functional integrity of myeloid cells of TNFR2-deficient mice was analyzed and compared to wild type (WT) mice. The capacity of dendritic cells to produce IL-12 was strongly impaired in TNF-deficient mice, mirroring impaired production of IL-12 by WT dendritic cells in sepsis or after LPS or TNF pre-treatment. In addition, TNFR2-deficient mice were refractory to LPS pre-treatment and also to hyper-sensitization by inactivated Propionibacterium acnes, indicating habituation to inflammatory stimuli by the immune response when TNFR2 is lacking. Constitutive expression of TNF mRNA in kidney, liver, spleen, colon and lung tissue, and the presence of soluble TNFR2 in urine of healthy WT mice supported the conclusion that TNF is continuously present in naïve mice and controlled by soluble TNFR2. In TNFR2-deficient mice endogenous TNF levels cannot be balanced and the continuous exposure to enhanced TNF levels impairs dendritic cell function. In conclusion, TNF pre-exposure suppresses secondary inflammatory reactions of myeloid cells; therefore, continuous control of endogenous TNF by soluble TNFR2 seems to be essential for the maintenance of adequate sensitivity to inflammatory stimuli.
Doc of Prophage P1 Is Inhibited by Its Antitoxin Partner Phd through Fold Complementation*♦

Prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin modules are involved in major physiological events set in motion under stress conditions. The toxin Doc (death on curing) from the phd/doc module on phage P1 hosts the C-terminal domain of its antitoxin partner Phd (prevents host death) through fold complementation. This Phd domain is intrinsically disordered in solution and folds into an α-helix upon binding to Doc. The details of the interactions reveal the molecular basis for the inhibitory action of the antitoxin. The complex resembles the Fic (filamentation induced by cAMP) proteins and suggests a possible evolutionary origin for the phd/doc operon. Doc induces growth arrest of Escherichia coli cells in a reversible manner, by targeting the protein synthesis machinery. Moreover, Doc activates the endogenous E. coli RelE mRNA interferase but does not require this or any other known chromosomal toxin-antitoxin locus for its action in vivo.
Children's phonological neighbourhoods: half empty or half full?

ABSTRACT Charles-Luce & Luce (1990) found smaller phonological similarity neighbourhoods in five- and seven-year-old children's expressive lexicons than in an adult receptive lexicon, a finding they interpreted as evidence that children need not employ fine-grained auditory perceptual analyses in lexical processing. In the present investigation, neighbourhood sizes were calculated for an expressive lexicon derived from two vocabulary lists representative of children aged 1;0 to 3;0 (Rescorla, 1989; Reznick & Goldsmith, 1989). Over 80% of the words in these early lexicons had at least one phonological neighbour; nearly 20% had six or more phonological neighbours. Very young children must have access to reasonably detailed phonological information in order to create and distinguish among such phonologically similar lexical entries.
Role of Otolaryngologists in Health Care for the Homeless

Objectives: This study describes the prevalence of head and neck disease in patients seen at an urban, federally qualified clinic for those experiencing homelessness and determines the need for otolaryngologists in providing health care for the homeless. Methods: All adult patient visits from 2000 to 2004 were reviewed for ICD-9 diagnostic codes representing otolaryngological diseases. Chart review was performed for patients referred to a volunteer otolaryngologist to confirm diagnoses and referrals. Results: During the study period, the clinic served 11,690 unique patients in 59,060 patient visits. Otolaryngological diagnoses accounted for 8,959 of these total visits (15.2%), 94% of which were managed by primary care providers. The most common diagnoses were “upper respiratory infections,” “symptoms, signs, and ill-defined conditions of the head and neck, cough, dysphagia,” “other diseases of upper respiratory tract,” and “disorders of the ear/mastoid process. ” An on-site volunteer otolaryngologist provided consultation on 6% of all patients with otolaryngological diagnoses, averaging 108 consultations per year; 39 patients were subsequently referred to community specialists for surgery and audiology services. Conclusions: There is a small but significant need for otolaryngologists in providing health care for homeless individuals in an urban setting. The authors encourage otolaryngologists and homeless health-care clinics to establish a relationship for volunteer services.
Potential Product Market Competition, Financial Structure, and Actual Competitive Intensity

We develop a model of Bertrand competition in differentiated products, in order to examine the relationship between product market competition and financial leverage. Leverage softens price competition by inducing firms to discount the future more heavily. We consider potential intensity and actual intensity of competition. Increasing the potential intensity of competition may motivate the firm to increase leverage in order to soften price competition. However, the combination of increasing potential intensity and increasing leverage may actually result in prices and firm values falling. Therefore, increasing leverage may appear to toughen price competition, when, in fact, it weakens it.
DNA polymerase ε and δ proofreading suppress discrete mutator and cancer phenotypes in mice

Organisms require faithful DNA replication to avoid deleterious mutations. In yeast, replicative leading- and lagging-strand DNA polymerases (Pols ε and δ, respectively) have intrinsic proofreading exonucleases that cooperate with each other and mismatch repair to limit spontaneous mutation to less than 1 per genome per cell division. The relationship of these pathways in mammals and their functions in vivo are unknown. Here we show that mouse Pol ε and δ proofreading suppress discrete mutator and cancer phenotypes. We found that inactivation of Pol ε proofreading elevates base-substitution mutations and accelerates a unique spectrum of spontaneous cancers; the types of tumors are entirely different from those triggered by loss of Pol δ proofreading. Intercrosses of Pol ε-, Pol δ-, and mismatch repair-mutant mice show that Pol ε and δ proofreading act in parallel pathways to prevent spontaneous mutation and cancer. These findings distinguish Pol ε and δ functions in vivo and reveal tissue-specific requirements for DNA replication fidelity.