Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A developmental investigation of stop-signal inhibition: Dissociating low- and higher-frequency activity in the event-related potential

Abstract. The present study examined the development of response inhibition in the stop-signal task across child (8-13 years), young-adult (18-22 years), and middle-aged adult (29-47 years) groups through a dissociation of low- and higher-frequency ERP activity. Fifty-one subjects (n = 17 in each group) performed the stop-signal task, which consisted of a visual choice reaction time (RT) task and auditory stop-signals, while EEG was recorded. The original EEG data (0.01-30 Hz) was subsequently filtered to separate slow-wave (0.01-2 Hz) and residual (2-30 Hz) activity. Performance findings revealed that stop-signal reaction time (SSRT) decreased from the child to young-adult group and then showed a small increase in the middle-aged adult group. Original ERPs revealed decreasing N1 and N2 amplitudes and increasing P2 and P3 amplitudes across the scalp with increasing age for successful-stop trials. These developmental effects did not occur in the residual waveforms after removal of slow-wave activity. For f.
Racialized Assimilation of Asian Americans

Because of the generally high socioeconomic attainments and high intermarriage rates of Asian Americans, it has been suggested that Asian Americans are reaching parity with whites and are assimilating to mainstream American society. However, other research shows the continued significance of race for Asian Americans regardless of their socioeconomic status and levels of acculturation. This article provides a review of recent research on socioeconomic attainment and intermarriage among Asian Americans as well as an overview of research on less studied but increasingly important indicators: residential outcomes, political participation, and mental health. We argue that Asian Americans are assimilating but in ways that differ from their European predecessors. In this process, racial/ethnic boundaries between Asians and whites may be solidified rather than dissolved, thus maintaining the significance of race for Asian Americans. We suggest that a racialized assimilation framework may best characterize the exp.
Hypoxia-Induced Intrauterine Growth Restriction Increases the Susceptibility of Rats to High-Fat Diet–Induced Metabolic Syndrome

OBJECTIVE It is recognized that there is a remarkable variability in the systemic response to high-fat (HF) diets that cannot be completely explained by genetic factors. In addition, pregnancy complications leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) have been associated with an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome (MetS) later in life. Thus, we hypothesized that offspring born with IUGR exhibit permanent metabolic changes that make them more susceptible to HF diet–induced MetS. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS SD rats born normal (control) or with hypoxia-induced IUGR were randomized to low-fat (10% fat) or HF (45% fat) diets. After 9 weeks of feeding, physiological and molecular pathways involved in the MetS were evaluated. RESULTS IUGR offspring exhibited decreased energy intake and physical activity relative to controls. In offspring fed a HF diet, IUGR was associated with decreased total body fat content, a relative increase in intra-abdominal fat deposition and adipocyte size, an increase in fasting plasma concentrations of leptin, triglyceride and free fatty acids, and an increased concentration of triglycerides and ceramides in both liver and skeletal muscle. These changes in lipid homeostasis were accompanied by in vivo insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance and associated with increased phosphorylation of protein kinase C θ, inhibition of insulin receptor substrate 1, and a decreased activation of protein kinase B (PKB; also known as Akt) in liver and skeletal muscle in response to insulin. CONCLUSIONS IUGR enhances specific deleterious metabolic responses to a HF diet. Our results suggest that offspring born with IUGR may require special attention and follow-up to prevent the early onset of MetS.
Complete Protection against Pneumonic and Bubonic Plague after a Single Oral Vaccination

Background No efficient vaccine against plague is currently available. We previously showed that a genetically attenuated Yersinia pseudotuberculosis producing the Yersinia pestis F1 antigen was an efficient live oral vaccine against pneumonic plague. This candidate vaccine however failed to confer full protection against bubonic plague and did not produce F1 stably. Methodology/Principal Findings The caf operon encoding F1 was inserted into the chromosome of a genetically attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis, yielding the VTnF1 strain, which stably produced the F1 capsule. Given orally to mice, VTnF1 persisted two weeks in the mouse gut and induced a high humoral response targeting both F1 and other Y. pestis antigens. The strong cellular response elicited was directed mostly against targets other than F1, but also against F1. It involved cells with a Th1—Th17 effector profile, producing IFNγ, IL-17, and IL-10. A single oral dose (108 CFU) of VTnF1 conferred 100% protection against pneumonic plague using a high-dose challenge (3,300 LD50) caused by the fully virulent Y. pestis CO92. Moreover, vaccination protected 100% of mice from bubonic plague caused by a challenge with 100 LD50 Y. pestis and 93% against a high-dose infection (10,000 LD50). Protection involved fast-acting mechanisms controlling Y. pestis spread out of the injection site, and the protection provided was long-lasting, with 93% and 50% of mice surviving bubonic and pneumonic plague respectively, six months after vaccination. Vaccinated mice also survived bubonic and pneumonic plague caused by a high-dose of non-encapsulated (F1-) Y. pestis. Significance VTnF1 is an easy-to-produce, genetically stable plague vaccine candidate, providing a highly efficient and long-lasting protection against both bubonic and pneumonic plague caused by wild type or un-encapsulated (F1-negative) Y. pestis. To our knowledge, VTnF1 is the only plague vaccine ever reported that could provide high and durable protection against the two forms of plague after a single oral administration.
Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus on MDCT: a rare intracardiac mass

Caseous calcification of the mitral annulus is a rare form of chronic degenerative process in the mitral valve fibrous ring with a mass-like appearance that has to be in the differential of the radiologist and cardiologist. We present the case of an 82-year-old woman in whom a tumor-like calcified mass in the posterior side of the mitral valve annulus was detected at echocardiography, and the diagnosis of caseous calcification was confirmed on multidetector computed tomography (MDCT). The diagnostic features of this rare cardiac mass are described.
Cytokine regulation of angiogenesis in breast cancer: the role of tumor‐associated macrophages

Studies over the past 20 years have established that the development of new capillaries from an existing vascular network (a process called angiogenesis) is an essential component of tumor growth. Malignant tumors do not grow beyond 2–3 mm3 in size unless they stimulate the formation of new blood vessels and thus provide a route for the increased inflow of nutrients and oxygen and outflow of waste products. Tumor angiogenesis also provides an essential exit route for metastasizing tumor cells from the tumor to the bloodstream. Indeed, extensive neovascularization is a poor prognostic factor in several forms of human cancer. Angiogenesis is a complex, multistep process driven by many local signals within the tumor. This involves the degradation of the extracellular matrix around a local venule after the release of collagenases and proteases, the proliferation and migration of capillary endothelial cells, and their differentiation into functioning capillaries. Cytokines produced by various cell types present within the microenvironment of solid tumors form a complex, dynamic network in which they have multiple effects on tumor progression. Herein we review our work on the presence, and possible regulatory influence on tumor angiogenesis, of a number of these cytokines within invasive breast carcinomas. We have combined immunocyto‐chemistry with a single cell cytokine release assay called the reverse hemolytic plaque assay to investigate the cellular sources of the key angiogenic cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Tumor‐associated macrophages in the stromal compartment of these tumors and/or malignant epithelial cells were seen to be a major producer cell for these cytokines, whereas tumor necrosis factor‐α receptors were expressed by leukocytes, malignant cells, and endothelial cells in tumor blood vessels. J. Leukoc. Biol 57: 747–751; 1995.
Recognition of facial expressions using component-based Active Appearance Models for human-robot interactions

Recognition of facial expressions becomes significant issue between human and robot interactions. The purpose of this paper is to study the alignment and tracking of facial features with optical flow and component-based active appearance model, and then analyze fitted points to recognize facial expressions. Using this method with accurate analysis and tracking of facial features in robot or computer. Consequently robot or computer can easily recognize user's facial expressions and emotional variation, and then response properly. We apply some realtime techniques and Active Appearance Model (AAM) on the cameras. A high-quality AAM alignment results depend on apposite selections of initial positions. Nevertheless it takes a lot of time when we apply image pyramid to get precise results. In this paper, we introduce a new method to apply AAM fitting and further solve above problems. In our fitting plan, we apply partial AAM fitting separately on mouth and eyes. Therefore we could make more efficient facial features alignment and then it becomes able to implement tracking to real-world video and realtime alignment. To get more stable partial AAM, we use multi-level optical flow to determine initial positions of facial feature models. It is relative easier to analyze user's emotional information and get accurate positions of facial features for further application in real world environments by the algorithm we developed.
Gilbert’s syndrome – a frequent cause of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in children after orthotopic liver transplantation

Kathemann S, Lainka E, Baba HA, Hoyer PF, Gerner P. Gilbert’s syndrome – a frequent cause of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia in children after orthotopic liver transplantation. Pediatr Transplantation 2012: 16: 201–204. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
A developmental continuum of singing ability: Evidence from a study of five-year-old developing singers

Singing is a key element in children's music education and culture. The research literature on children's singing indicates that a wide range of singing behaviours is normal and that singing development, in terms of increased competency, can be affected by many different factors. The present study details the use of a specially‐designed computer system to chart the changes in singing competence of a class of five‐year‐olds across one school year.
Protective LRRK2 R1398H Variant Enhances GTPase and Wnt Signaling Activity

Mutations in LRRK2 are a common cause of familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, the LRRK2 GTPase domain R1398H variant was suggested in genetic studies to confer protection against PD but mechanistic data supporting this is lacking. Here, we present evidence that R1398H affects GTPase function, axon outgrowth, and Wnt signaling in a manner opposite to pathogenic LRRK2 mutations. LRRK2 R1398H GTPase domain dimerization and GTP hydrolysis were increased whereas GTP binding was reduced, leading to a decrease in active GTP-bound LRRK2. This protective variant also increased axon length of primary cortical neurones in comparison to wild-type LRRK2, whereas the R1441G LRRK2 pathogenic mutant decreased axon outgrowth. Importantly, R1398H enhanced the stimulatory effect of LRRK2 on canonical Wnt signaling whereas the G2385R risk variant, in accordance with all previously tested pathogenic LRRK2 mutants, had the opposite effect. Molecular modeling placed R1398H in close proximity to PD-causing mutations suggesting that this protective LRRK2 variant, like familial mutations, affects intramolecular RocCOR domain interactions. Thus, our data suggest that R1398H LRRK2 is a bona fide protective variant. The opposite effects of protective versus PD associated LRRK2 variants on GTPase function and canonical Wnt signaling activity also suggests that regulation of these two basic signaling mechanisms is important for neuronal function. We conclude that LRRK2 mediated Wnt signaling and GTPase function are fundamental in conferring disease susceptibility and have clear implications for therapeutic target identification.
Affective and social-cognitive predictors of behavioural change following first myocardial infarction

Objectives. To assess the utility of measures of affect and social-cognitive variables in predicting risk behaviours for coronary heart disease in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Design. A longitudinal design was adopted with predictor variables measured while participants were in hospital and dependent variables (exercise, alcohol consumption, diet and smoking) measured 3 months following discharge. Method. A random sample of 43 patients with a first MI were identified on the wards and given a questionnaire measuring anxiety and depression, and measures of outcome and self-efficacy expectancies and intentions relevant to each risk behaviour. Thirtyseven participants completed further behavioural measures at 3-month follow-up (excluding those who died in the follow-up period), a 90% completion rate. Results. Social cognition measures were predictive of later behaviour, and in particular light exercise. Here, intentions accounted for 51% of the variance in behaviour explained after partialling out pre-MI levels of exercise. Affect was less predictive, explaining only 7% of the variance in light exercise. Conclusions. Beliefs and intentions about future risk behaviour are formulated in the immediate post-infarction period. Future rehabilitation programmes would benefit from some intervention, probably educational, at this early stage.
A Choice Modelling Approach for Assessment of Use and Quasi-Option Values in Urban Planning for Areas of Environmental Interest

This study adopts a discrete choice modelling methodology to evaluate individuals’ preferences over planning alternatives for an urban site of environmental interest. Since such projects involve some uncertainty and irreversibility, a special attention is devoted to the estimation of the quasi-option values which are associated to project development. Two distinct measures for the quasi-option value are estimated, and both coefficients indicate that the public places a significant value on reduction of the possibility of adverse irreversible effects: a more prudent development strategy is valued about four times more than a procedure that provides a lesser hedge against undesired outcomes. Furthermore, the study involved elicitation of intertemporal preferences over projects with different time spans, and estimation of the implicit discount rates: the values obtained seem high if compared to standard discount rates applied to public projects, but not far from current interest rates on consumption.
An Exploration of the Maternal Experiences of Breast Engorgement and Milk Leakage after Perinatal Loss

Introduction and Purpose: Perinatal loss is one of the toughest events of life. Physiological milk secretion after perinatal loss adds to complicacy of the hardships of the event. The present study is aimed at exploring women’s experience with breast problems and milk leakage after perinatal loss. Methods: The Study was carried out through explorative quality approach with 18 participants. Sampling method was purposeful and selecting the participants from widest variety was ensured. Data gathering was through deep semi-structured interview and data analyses were done by conventional content analysis. Reliability and validity of the data were ensured by collecting data from a wide range of participants and frequent revisions. Findings: Data analysis indicated four themes including beyond pain, longing being mother, insufficiency of provided information and coping Strategies, and beliefs and values regarding milk leakage and breast engorgement. Conclusion: The findings suggested that health care givers needed to inform the patients about probability milk leakage and breast engorgement and remedies to reduce pains and problems of breast engorgement.
The Impact of Opposites: Implications of Trait Inferences and Their Antonyms for Person Judgment

This research investigates the similarities and differences between the impact of priming traits and the impact of priming their antonyms. The findings of five studies demonstrate that person judgments may be affected not only by priming descriptively relevant traits, but also by primes that are antonyms of these traits. The direction of the effect of activating traits versus antonyms is dependent on (1) whether the trait inferences are descriptively relevant or irrelevant and evaluatively moderate or extreme, (2) whether they refer to behavior labels or person descriptions, and (3) whether they activate information that overlaps with the dimension on which the target is to be judged. Implications for models of knowledge accessibility are discussed.
Multiple mating and reproductive skew in Trinidadian guppies

Male offspring production in promiscuously mating species is typically more skewed than female offspring production. It is therefore advantageous for males to seek as many mating partners as possible. However, given the documented benefits of polyandry we expect females, as well as males, to mate multiply. We tested these ideas using Trinidadian guppies, Poecilia reticulata. Fishes were collected from the wild, housed in groups of 10 males and 10 females and allowed to reproduce freely over a period of three months. We used hypervariable microsatellite loci to identify the parents of 840 offspring and to quantify the variance in mating success. As anticipated, and in line with the Bateman gradient, there was greater skew in the number of progeny produced by males. By contrast, we found no sex difference in mating partner number over the duration of the experiment. A median of two males fathered each brood and there was marked turnover in the identities of the sires of successive broods. Female partner turnover was, however, less than expected under random mating. We suggest that partner switching over time, as well as polyandry within broods, could contribute to the maintenance of genetic diversity in guppy populations.
Sequence Programmable Peptoid Polymers for Diverse Materials Applications

Polymer sequence programmability is required for the diverse structures and complex properties that are achieved by native biological polymers, but efforts towards controlling the sequence of synthetic polymers are, by comparison, still in their infancy. Traditional polymers provide robust and chemically diverse materials, but synthetic control over their monomer sequences is limited. The modular and step‐wise synthesis of peptoid polymers, on the other hand, allows for precise control over the monomer sequences, affording opportunities for these chains to fold into well‐defined nanostructures. Hundreds of different side chains have been incorporated into peptoid polymers using efficient reaction chemistry, allowing for a seemingly infinite variety of possible synthetically accessible polymer sequences. Combinatorial discovery techniques have allowed the identification of functional polymers within large libraries of peptoids, and newly developed theoretical modeling tools specifically adapted for peptoids enable the future design of polymers with desired functions. Work towards controlling the three‐dimensional structure of peptoids, from the conformation of the amide bond to the formation of protein‐like tertiary structure, has and will continue to enable the construction of tunable and innovative nanomaterials that bridge the gap between natural and synthetic polymers.
Two Trisomy 22 Live Births in One Hospital in 15 Months: Is It as Rare as We Thought?

We report two cases of complete non-mosaic trisomy 22 who were born within 15 months of each other in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. In an effort to consolidate diagnostic criteria to suspect trisomy 22 prior to chromosomal testing, we compare the clinical features of these infants with those of 23 other trisomy 22 live borns presented in the literature. We further compare the clinical phenotype of trisomy 22 with those of trisomies 13 and 18 to delineate a clinical picture to presume possible trisomy 22 soon after birth. Dysmorphic features which distinguish trisomy 22 from trisomy 13 and 18 include hypertelorism, long philtrum, long and thin upper lip, webbing of the neck, low set, wide spread nipples and an abnormal anus. Given the poor prognosis of this disorder and early mortality of most confirmed cases, non-aggressive versus aggressive treatment measures should be weighed up as soon after birth as possible.
The cardiovascular disease continuum validated: clinical evidence of improved patient outcomes: part II: Clinical trial evidence (acute coronary syndromes through renal disease) and future directions.

This is the second part of a 2-part article that presents a critical and comprehensive update of the current evidence for a cardiovascular disease (CVD) continuum based on the results of pathophysiological studies and the outcome of a broad range of clinical trials that have been performed in the past 15 years. In part I, we reviewed the current understanding of CVD pathophysiology and discussed data from clinical trials on subjects ranging from risk factors for disease through stable coronary artery disease (CAD). The present article continues the review of clinical trials, beginning with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and continuing through extension of the concept of the CVD continuum to include stroke and renal disease. The article concludes with a discussion of areas in which future research might further clarify our understanding of the CVD continuum. ACS represent a spectrum of events ranging from unstable angina (UA) and non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ACS events are frequently the consequence of thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery. Intervention at this point in the CVD continuum clearly interrupts disease progression by preventing cardiac muscle death, decreasing the risk of a recurrent ischemic event, slowing progression to heart failure, and reducing mortality. Patients presenting with an ACS must receive prompt treatment to prevent ischemic complications; optimal management includes anti-ischemic therapy (eg, supplemental oxygen, nitroglycerin, and β-blocker), antiplatelet agents (eg, aspirin, clopidogrel, or platelet glycoprotein [GP] IIb/IIIa inhibitor), antithrombotic therapy (unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin [LMWH]), and the use of invasive reperfusion procedures (ie, percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI] or coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]). For STEMI patients, optimal therapy also includes fibrinolytic agents to restore blood flow in the occluded coronary artery. ### Treatment of UA/NSTEMI UA and NSTEMI are considered closely related conditions and may be indistinguishable in their early stages in …