Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Malleable Efficacy of Willpower Theories

Emerging research documents the self-control consequences of individuals’ theories regarding the limited nature of willpower, such that unlimited theorists consistently demonstrate greater self-control than limited theorists. The purpose of the present research was to build upon prior work on self-validation and perceptions of mental fatigue to demonstrate when self-control is actually impaired by endorsing an unlimited theory and—conversely—enhanced by endorsing a limited theory. Four experiments show that fluency reinforces the documented effects of individuals’ willpower theories on self-control, while disfluency reverses the documented effects of individuals’ willpower theories on self-control. Moreover, these effects are driven by differential perceptions of mental fatigue—perceptions altered by individuals’ level of confidence in their willpower theory—and are bound by conditions that promote effortful thought. Collectively, these findings point to the malleable efficacy of willpower theories and the importance of belief confidence in dictating this malleability and in modulating subsequent self-control behavior.
Assessment of root canal morphology of mandibular first premolars in the Indian population using spiral computed tomography: an in vitro study.

AIM The aim of the study is to determine the root canal morphology of the mandibular first premolar teeth in an Indian population using spiral computed tomography (SCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS One hundred extracted mandibular first premolars were observed using Spiral Computed Tomography for the (i) Pattern of root canal (ii) Tooth length (iii) Position of the bifurcation of the canal (iv) Invagination of the root (v) Root thickness. The root canal morphology was classified based on Vertucci's classification. RESULTS Eighty percent of the teeth had a single canal, 11% of the teeth had two canals, and C-shaped canals were found in 2% of the teeth, in this study. The average length of the teeth was 21.6 mm. Fourteen percent of the teeth had mesial invagination of the root. CONCLUSION The Type I root canal morphology was the most common type of root canal system in the mandibular first premolars among the Indian population in this study.
Exacerbation of SUNCT and SUNA syndromes during intravenous dihydroergotamine treatment: A case series

Background The management of short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and with short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with autonomic symptoms (SUNA) remains challenging in view of the limited understanding of their pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods An initial observation that patients with both chronic migraine (CM) or cluster headache (CH) and SUNCT/SUNA receiving intravenous dihydroergotamine (IV DHE) had complained of dramatic worsening of the latter led to review of the case notes of patients with CM or CH and co-existent SUNCT/SUNA seen between 2008 and 2013 and who had a trial of IV DHE. Results Twenty-four patients were identified. IV DHE was ineffective for SUNCT/SUNA in 16 patients, while one patient reported a marginal improvement. Five patients reported dramatic worsening of the SUNCT/SUNA. Moreover, two patients developed new-onset SUNA during their first IV DHE infusion. Out of these seven patients, those requiring repeated courses of IV DHE consistently experienced exacerbations of SUNCT/SUNA which were suppressed with IV lidocaine. Conclusions DHE is an ineffective treatment option for SUNCT and SUNA. Physicians who intend to offer IV DHE to CH or CM patients should warn them that IV DHE could exacerbate and possibly even lead to a de novo onset of SUNCT/SUNA. In view of the reported worsening or new onset of SUNCT/SUNA in patients using dopamine agonists for the treatment of pituitary prolactinomas, we speculate that DHE might worsen or induce SUNCT and SUNA, at least in a sub-group of patients, through a perturbation in the dopaminergic system.
Fast Optical Flow Estimation Without Parallel Architectures

According to recent results on Middlebury, MPI Sintel, and KITTI benchmarks, the accuracy of optical flow estimation algorithms has been significantly improved. The speed of them, however, has been too slow to meet the requirement of real-time applications. As a result, some parallel architectures (such as FPGA or GPU) have to be used for accelerating. Therefore, reducing the computational cost of optical flow estimation makes a lot of sense. To overcome the above issues, this paper proposes a fast local method based on 3D-gradients and approximate nearest-neighbor field (NNF), which is different from the widely used global model. In our method, NNF is used to provide initial optical flow field, and the proposed fast 3D-gradients-based local operator is used to propagate flow from coarse level to finer level in the coarse-to-fine refinement. We implement two versions of our method (with/without NNF initialization). Experimental results show that our method has a significant advantage for speed over other methods, where the fast version is capable of processing <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$Urban$ </tex-math></inline-formula> sequence (<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$640\times 480$ </tex-math></inline-formula>) at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\approx 10$ </tex-math></inline-formula> frames/s without parallel architectures. Meanwhile, our accuracy is also within acceptable levels on both small and large motion for some real-time applications.
A Novel Gas Sensor Based on Tunneling-Field-Ionization on Whisker-Covered Gold Nanowires

Typical gas ionization sensors (GISs) work by fingerprinting the ionization breakdown voltages of the gases to be identified. In this work, we developed a GIS that operates by field-ionizing the unknown gas at exceptionally low voltages. The resultant field-ion current-voltage (I-V) characteristic was then used to identify the gas. Freestanding gold nanowires (AuNW), terminated with nanoscale whisker-like features, were employed as field-amplifiers to reduce the field ionization threshold voltages. Synthesis of the AuNWs was carried out by the template-assisted technique accompanied by two alterations: 1) polystyrene (PS) microspheres were incorporated to reduce the compactness of the pores, thus prevent the nanostructures from collapse, and 2) the template was impregnated by HAuCl4 to form gold nanowhiskers during the electrochemical nucleation of AuNWs. The sensor was tested in three elemental gases: Ar, N2 and He, in a pressure range of 0.01 < P < 100 torr. Each gas demonstrated a distinctive I-V curve, particularly in the field-limited regime. The threshold ionization voltages ranged from 1 to 10 V, almost three orders of magnitude lower than the voltages used in field-ion-microscopy. The low-voltage field ionization was attributed to the field-amplifying nanoscale whiskers on the AuNW tips, as well as the presence of residual amorphous alumina with semiconducting characteristics, due to incomplete removal of the porous anodized alumina (PAA) template.
Diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia: comparison between ante-mortem and post-mortem cultures in trauma patients.

PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ante-mortem tracheal aspirates for diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Trauma victims represent an otherwise healthy population, who are on multiple invasive life-support devices, which predispose them to severe infections like VAP. The diagnosis of VAP is challenging, due to the difficulty in obtaining a representative sample from lungs. We studied the diagnostic utility of tracheal aspirates by comparing its results with the post-mortem lung cultures. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 106 fatal trauma patients were included in the study. Lung samples and cardiac blood were taken for culture at the time of autopsy. The results of ante-mortem and post-mortem cultures were compared. RESULTS Septicemia was the cause of death in 51 (48%) of the fatal cases and VAP was identified in 36 (34%) cases. A total of 96 (90.5%) cases had pathogens isolated from lung samples. In 62 (58%) cases, the same organism was isolated from ante-mortem and post-mortem respiratory samples. CONCLUSIONS Culture results of a properly collected tracheal aspirate should be taken into consideration along with Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC's) diagnostic criteria to maximise the diagnosis of VAP.
Effects of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide on the Survival and Signal Transduction Pathways in Human Choriocarcinoma Cells

The pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) has several effects in endocrine and reproductive organs, including the placenta. PACAP is generally known as a survival‐promoting peptide acting on divergent signal transduction pathways. However, its effects on the survival and signaling mechanisms of trophoblast cells are not known. In the present study we found that 1‐h pretreatment with PACAP38 did not significantly influence the survival of JAR cytotrophoblast cells. However, the survival rate of cells exposed to oxidative stress or CoCl2‐induced in vitro hypoxia showed a significant further decrease in PACAP‐treated cells, implying that PACAP sensitizes the cells to these stressors. This was not observed in the case of lipopolysaccharide or ethanol treatment. Western blot data revealed that, in cells exposed to oxidative stress, PACAP treatment decreased phosphorylation of all extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK), phospho‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), protein kinase B, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phospho‐glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) and the expression of bax. The overall effect seems to be a sensitizing effect in almost all examined pathways when oxidative stress was applied, which may explain the enhancing effect of PACAP on cell death in contrast to most other cell types examined so far. Our data show that the signaling mechanism of PACAP may be different in trophoblast cells to that observed in other cell lines.
Increased Resistance Against Acute Polymicrobial Sepsis in Mice Challenged with Immunostimulatory CpG Oligodeoxynucleotides Is Related to an Enhanced Innate Effector Cell Response1

Recent reports support the concept that the major defect in polymicrobial sepsis is an impaired immunologic response to infection. Oligodeoxynucleotides containing CpG sequence motifs (CpG-ODN) were previously shown to induce immune protection in models of chronic infection with intracellular bacteria, parasites, and viruses due to their ability to augment IFN-γ-dependent Th1 responses. Here, we demonstrate that challenging mice with CpG-ODN substantially increases the resistance against acute polymicrobial sepsis. Systemic levels of IL-12, IL-18, and IL-10 were not altered in CpG-ODN-treated mice as compared with controls. In contrast, administration of CpG-ODN resulted in a strongly enhanced accumulation of neutrophils at the primary site of infection. Neutrophils of CpG-ODN-treated mice exhibited an up-regulation of phagocytic receptors, an increased phagocytic activity, and an elevated production of reactive oxygen metabolites. These results suggest that the protective effects of CpG-ODNs in acute polymicrobial sepsis are related to an enhanced effector cell response of innate immunity. CpG-ODN may therefore represent potent agents for the treatment of sepsis-associated immunoparalysis.
Toll-like receptor-4 and allograft responses

Signaling through toll-like receptors (TLRs) is believed to be the critical first step in the activation of antigen presenting cells and the initiation of adaptive immune responses. Of these receptors, TLR-4 particularly recognizes endogenous agonists and may be important for allograft responses. We tested this concept using mice with defective function and structure of TLR-4 as recipients of grafts across major and minor histocompatibility barriers. The kinetics of rejection was the same in mutant mice and wild-type controls. Our results highlight an important difference between alloimmune and conventional immune responses.
Rivaroxaban and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation: new evidence

In the majority of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) anticoagulation is required to reduce the risk of stroke. Although vitamin K antagonists effectively reduce the risk of stroke, they have many disadvantages that limit their use. Rivaroxaban is a new once-daily oral anticoagulant that overcomes some of these limitations (i.e., no monitoring of anticoagulant effect required and fixed doses can be prescribed). In recent AF studies, rivaroxaban was reported to be at least as effective as warfarin for the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism but with a lesser risk of fatal bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage. More recent data have confirmed the beneficial effects of rivaroxaban, as originally described, and irrespective of the history of previous stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, diabetes, moderate renal dysfunction or age. In the present review the authors discuss current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban in patients with non-valvular AF.
An asymmetry in the phosphate dependence of tension transients induced by length perturbation in mammalian (rabbit psoas) muscle fibres

The effects of inorganic phosphate (Pi, a product released during ATP hydrolysis in active muscle) on tension transients induced by length perturbation (∼0.3 ms) were examined in chemically skinned (0.5 % Brij), maximally Ca2+‐activated rabbit psoas muscle fibres at 10 °C (ionic strength 200 mm, pH 7.1). In one type of experiment, the tension transients induced by length release and stretch of a standard amplitude (0.4‐0.5 % of Lo, muscle fibre length) were examined at a range of added [Pi] (range 3–25 mm). The steady active tension was depressed ∼45 % with 25 mm added Pi. The initial tension recovery (from T1, extreme tension reached after length step, to T2, tension after quick recovery) was analysed by half‐time measurement and also by exponential curve fitting ‐ extracting a fast (phase 2a) and a slow (phase 2b) component. The tension decay after a stretch became faster with increased [Pi], whereas the quick tension rise induced by a length release was insensitive to added Pi. Consequently, the asymmetry in the speed of tension recovery from stretch and release was reduced at high [Pi]. A plot of the phase 2b rate (or 1/half‐time) of tension decay after stretch versus[Pi] was approximately hyperbolic and showed saturation at higher [Pi] levels. In a second type of experiment, the tension transients induced by length steps of different amplitudes were examined in control (no added Pi) and in the presence of 25 mm added Pi. Over a range of length step amplitudes (up to 1 % L0), the tension decay after stretch was consistently faster in the presence of Pi than in the control; this was particularly pronounced in phase 2b. The rate of tension rise after length release remained high but similar in the presence and absence of added Pi. These observations indicate that a stretch and release perturb different molecular steps in the crossbridge cycle. The Pi sensitivity of tension decay (phase 2b) after stretch is similar to that seen using other perturbations (e.g. [Pi] jumps, hydrostatic pressure jumps and temperature jumps and sinusoidal length oscillations). The results indicate that the Pi‐sensitive force generation identified in previous studies is strain sensitive (as expected), but it is seen only with respect to positive strain (stretches).
A Mutation in the Tubulin-Encoding TUBB3 Gene Causes Complex Cortical Malformations and Unilateral Hypohidrosis

Recent studies have emphasized the association between tubulin gene mutations and developmental abnormalities of the cortex. In this study, the authors identified a mutation in the tubulin-encoding class III β-tubulin (TUBB3) gene in a 4-year-old boy presenting with brain abnormalities and unilateral hypohidrosis. The patient showed a left internal strabismus, moderate developmental delay, and congenital hypohidrosis of the right side of the body. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed gyral disorganization mainly in the left perisylvian region, dysmorphic and hypertrophic basal ganglia with fusion between the putamen and caudate nucleus without affecting the anterior limb of the internal capsule, and moderate hypoplasia of the right brain stem and cerebellum. Diffusion tensor imaging studies revealed disorganization of the pyramidal fibers. The amplitude of the sympathetic skin response was low in the right arm, which led to a diagnosis of focal autonomic neuropathy. Sequencing the TUBB3 gene revealed a de novo missense mutation, c.862G>A (p.E288K).
Taking Stock: Who Benefited from the Oil Price Shocks?

The effect that the recent decline in the price of oil has had on growth is far from clear, with many observers at odds to explain why it does not seem to have provided a significant boost to the world economy. This paper aims to address this puzzle by providing a systematic analysis of the effect of oil price shocks on growth for 72 countries comprising 92.8% of world GDP. We find that, on net, shocks driving the oil price in 2015 shaved off 0.2 percentage points of growth for the median country in our sample, and 0.17 percentage points in GDP-weighted terms. While increases in oil supply and shocks to oil-specific demand actually boosted growth in 2015 (by about 0.2 and 0.4 percentage points, respectively), weak global demand more than offset these gains, reducing growth by 0.8 percentage points. Counterfactual simulations for the 72 countries in our sample underscore the importance of diversification, rather than low levels of openness, in shielding against negative shocks to the world economy.
Diet and vitamin or mineral supplementation and risk of colon cancer by subsite in Canada

The study assesses the association of diet and vitamin or mineral supplementation with risk of proximal or distal colon cancer. Mailed questionnaires were completed by 1723 newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed colon cancer cases and 3097 population controls between 1994 and 1997 in seven Canadian provinces. Measurement included information on socio-economic status, physical activity, smoking habits, alcohol use, diet and vitamin or mineral supplementation. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were derived through unconditional logistic regression. Linear regression was used to examine that dietary factors affect body mass index. The strongest positive associations between colon cancer risk and increasing total fat intake were observed for proximal colon cancer in men and for distal colon cancer in both men and women. Increased consumption of vegetables, fruit and whole-grain products did not reduce the risk of colon cancer. A modest reduction in distal colon cancer risk was noted in women who consumed yellow-orange vegetables. Significant positive associations were observed between proximal colon cancer risk in men and consumption of red meat and dairy products, and between distal colon cancer risk in women and total intake of meat and processed meat. We also saw strong associations between bacon intake and both subsites of colon cancer in women. When men were compared with women directly by subsite however, the results did not show a corresponding association. A significantly reduced risk of distal colon cancer was noted in women only with increasing intake of dairy products and of milk. Among men and women taking vitamin and mineral supplements for more than 5 years, significant inverse associations with colon cancer were most pronounced among women with distal colon cancer. These findings suggest that dietary risk factors for proximal colon cancer may differ from those for distal colon cancer.
Mesenchymal stem cells attenuate liver fibrosis by suppressing Th17 cells – an experimental study

This study investigates molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)‐mediated modulation of IL‐17 signaling during liver fibrosis. Mice received CCl4 (1 μl/g intraperitoneally) twice/week for 1 month. MSCs (1 × 106), or MSC‐conditioned medium (MSC‐CM), were intravenously injected 24 h after CCl4 and on every 7th day. Liver fibrosis was determined by macroscopic examination, histological analysis, Sirius red staining, and RT‐PCR. Serum levels of cytokines, indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO), and kynurenine were determined by ELISA. Flow cytometry was performed to identify liver‐infiltrated cells. In vitro, CD4+ T cells were stimulated and cultured with MSCs. 1‐methyltryptophan was used for inhibition of IDO. MSCs significantly attenuated CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis by decreasing serum levels of inflammatory IL‐17, increasing immunosuppressive IL‐10, IDO, and kynurenine, reducing number of IL‐17 producing Th17 cells, and increasing percentage of CD4+IL‐10+ T cells. Injection of MSC‐CM resulted with attenuated fibrosis accompanied with the reduced number of Th17 cells in the liver and decreased serum levels of IL‐17. MSC‐CM promoted expansion of CD4+FoxP3+IL‐10+ T regulatory cells and suppressed proliferation of Th17 cells. This phenomenon was completely abrogated in the presence of IDO inhibitor. MSCs, in IDO‐dependent manner, suppress liver Th17 cells which lead to the attenuation of liver fibrosis.
Small-Scale Farming and Food Security: The Enabling Role of Cash Transfers in South Africa's Former Homelands

Cash transfers successfully alleviate poverty in many developing countries. South Africa is a case in point, implementing one of the largest unconditional cash transfer programmes internationally, and with substantial benefits to household well-being along multiple dimensions. Yet, grants discourage formal labour market attachment, creating dependencies on the fiscus. This study uses a fuzzy regression discontinuity design to establish that state-funded Old Age Pensions encourage non-market economic activity (in the form of small-scale farming), and improve the self-reported food security of rural households that farm, vis-a-vis those that do not. However, only non-farming households increase market food expenditure and consume more diverse diets from market-sourced foods: diet quality improves with greater spending, while food sufficiency remains unaffected. Farmers, on the other hand, do not change food spending patterns, but self-rated food sufficiency improves due to greater levels and diversity in home production. The role of small-scale farming is of broader interest in rural development, given the context of the 1913 and 1936 Land Acts that constrained this form of livelihood in former apartheid homelands. This paper's contribution is two-fold: grants are an effective channel to actively promote rural development through small-scale farming, and they improve food security by non-market mechanisms.