Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Great Recession and Children’s Mental Health in Australia

This paper analyzes the effects of “shocks” to community-level unemployment expectations, induced by the onset of the Great Recession, on children’s mental well-being. The Australian experience of the Great Recession represents a unique case study as despite little change in actual unemployment rates, levels of economic uncertainty grew. This affords us the ability to examine the effects of shocks to economic expectations independent of any actual changes to economic conditions. We draw on and link data from multiple sources, including several waves of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2004–2010), a consumer sentiment survey, and data on local economic conditions. Using our purpose-built data set, we estimate difference-in-differences models to identify plausibly causal effects. We find, for boys, there is no detectable effect of community-level unemployment expectations shocks on mental health. For girls, however, there are modest increases in mental health problems and externalizing behaviors, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). We additionally find no discernible change in mother’s psychological distress as a result of expectations shocks. These results are stable after controlling for actual labor market conditions.
Application of mobile health, telemedicine and artificial intelligence to echocardiography

The intersection of global broadband technology and miniaturized high-capability computing devices has led to a revolution in the delivery of healthcare and the birth of telemedicine and mobile health (mHealth). Rapid advances in handheld imaging devices with other mHealth devices such as smartphone apps and wearable devices are making great strides in the field of cardiovascular imaging like never before. Although these technologies offer a bright promise in cardiovascular imaging, it is far from straightforward. The massive data influx from telemedicine and mHealth including cardiovascular imaging supersedes the existing capabilities of current healthcare system and statistical software. Artificial intelligence with machine learning is the one and only way to navigate through this complex maze of the data influx through various approaches. Deep learning techniques are further expanding their role by image recognition and automated measurements. Artificial intelligence provides limitless opportunity to rigorously analyze data. As we move forward, the futures of mHealth, telemedicine and artificial intelligence are increasingly becoming intertwined to give rise to precision medicine.
First Report of Asian Soybean Rust Caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi from Mexico.

Leaves of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. ; Fabaceae) cv. Huasteca 400, with conspicuous chlorotic spots and associated hypophyllous cinnamon-brown sori, were collected in commercial soybean plantings in Ébano and Tamuín in the state of San Luis de Potosí, Mexico on 26 October 2005. Uredinia, Malupa-type, are mostly hypophyllous, minute, pulverulent, cinnamon-brown, scattered or in groups, subepidermal becoming erumpent, cone like, surrounded by paraphyses; paraphyses are cylindric to clavate, 25 to 50 × 6 to 14 μm, colorless to yellow brownish with wall thickened at the apex. Urediniospores are obovoid to broadly ellipsoidal, measuring 18 to 37 × 15 to 24 μm, and have a minutely echinulate thin wall, hyaline to pale yellowish brown. This morphology is typical of Phakopsora pachyrhizi Syd. & P. Syd. and P. meibomiae (Arthur) Arthur. DNA was extracted from leaves containing sori with the PureLink Plant DNA Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA), and the identity of P. pachyrhizi was confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction protocol (1) with Ppa1/Ppa2 primers at the National Phytosanitary Reference Center of Mexico. The morphological and molecular diagnosis and presence of P. pachyrhizi in Mexico was officially communicated by the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) on 16 February 2006. Asian soybean rust was reported for the first time in North America in 2004 (2). To our knowledge, this the first report of P. pachyrhizi in Mexico. Voucher specimens have been placed in the USDA National Fungus Collection as BPI 871130, BPI 871131, and BPI 871132. Images and a complete description of Asian soybean rust can be viewed at http://nt.arsgrin. gov/taxadescriptions/factsheets/index.cfm? thisapp=Phakopsorapachyr hizi . References: (1) R. D. Frederick et al. Phytopathology 92:217, 2002. (2) R. W. Schneider et al. Plant Dis. 89:774, 2005.
An Archaeosome-Adjuvanted Vaccine and Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy Combination Significantly Enhances Protection from Murine Melanoma

Archaeosomes constitute archaeal lipid vesicle vaccine adjuvants that evoke a strong CD8+ T cell response to antigenic cargo. Therapeutic treatment of murine B16-ovalbumin (B16-OVA) melanoma with archaeosome-OVA eliminates small subcutaneous solid tumors; however, they eventually resurge despite an increased frequency of circulating and tumor infiltrating OVA-CD8+ T cells. Herein, a number of different approaches were evaluated to improve responses, including dose number, interval, and the combination of vaccine with checkpoint inhibitors. Firstly, we found that tumor protection could not be enhanced by repetitive and/or delayed boosting to maximize the CD8+ T cell number and/or phenotype. The in vivo cytotoxicity of vaccine-induced OVA-CD8+ T cells was impaired in tumor-bearing mice. Additionally, tumor-infiltrating OVA-CD8+ T cells had an increased expression of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) compared to other organ compartments, suggesting impaired function. Combination therapy of tumor-bearing mice with the vaccine archaeosome-OVA, and α-CTLA-4 administered concurrently as well as α-PD-1 and an α-PD-L1 antibody administered starting 9 days after tumor challenge given on a Q3Dx4 schedule (days 9, 12, 15 and 18), significantly enhanced survival. Following multi-combination therapy ~70% of mice had rapid tumor recession, with no detectable tumor mass after >80 days in comparison to a median survival of 17–22 days for untreated or experimental groups receiving single therapies. Overall, archaeosomes offer a powerful platform for delivering cancer antigens when used in combination with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies.
PML is recruited to heterochromatin during S phase and represses DAXX-mediated histone H3.3 chromatin assembly

ABSTRACT The incorporation of the histone H3 variant, H3.3, into chromatin by the H3.3-specific chaperone DAXX and the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling factor ATRX is a critical mechanism for silencing repetitive DNA. DAXX and ATRX are also components of promyelocytic nuclear bodies (PML-NBs), which have been identified as sites of H3.3 chromatin assembly. Here, we use a transgene array that can be visualized in single living cells to investigate the mechanisms that recruit PML-NB proteins (i.e. PML, DAXX, ATRX, and SUMO-1, SUMO-2 and SUMO-3) to heterochromatin and their functions in H3.3 chromatin assembly. We show that DAXX and PML are recruited to the array through distinct SUMOylation-dependent mechanisms. Additionally, PML is recruited during S phase and its depletion increases H3.3 deposition. Since this effect is abrogated when PML and DAXX are co-depleted, it is likely that PML represses DAXX-mediated H3.3 chromatin assembly. Taken together, these results suggest that, at heterochromatin, PML-NBs coordinate H3.3 chromatin assembly with DNA replication, which has important implications for understanding how transcriptional silencing is established and maintained. Summary: PML is recruited to a transgene array during S phase and represses DAXX-mediated histone H3.3 chromatin assembly. This suggests that PML coordinates H3.3 deposition with DNA replication at heterochromatin.
Adoption of a closed loop communication tool to establish and execute a collaborative follow up plan for incidental pulmonary nodules

Purpose We designed a closed loop communication and tracking system (RADAR) to enable execution of a collaboratively developed care plan for follow up imaging of incidental pulmonary nodules (IPN). The system requires adoption by radiologists and referring providers. We assess radiologists’ adoption of RADAR and its impact on the clarity of radiologists’ follow up recommendations for IPN. Methods This Institutional Review Board-approved study was performed at a large, urban, tertiary care academic center performing 800,000 radiology examinations annually. Radiologists generate critical alerts for all newly discovered incidental pulmonary nodules using a previously described PACS-embedded software tool to track acknowledgement of receipt of critical alerts by ordering providers (i.e., usual care). RADAR (i.e., intervention) is a closed-loop communication tool, embedded in radiology PACS and enterprise provider workflow that enables establishment of a collaborative follow up plan (CFUP) between a radiologist and referring provider and helps automate the tracking and execution of CFUP. RADAR use is at the discretion of the interpreting radiologist. After implementation of RADAR for IPN in thoracic radiology (study period 3/9/2018–8/2/2018), we assessed RADAR adoption (primary outcome: #RADAR alerts for IPN/# of all alert for IPN). Secondary outcome was the clarity of follow up recommendation, defined as explicit documentation of the imaging modality and timeframe for follow up, as well as referring provider agreement with the recommendation. Trend over time was assessed with Cochran Armitage test. Results Post implementation, 106 of 183 (58%) IPN alerts were generated using RADAR. RADAR adoption increased by 75% during the study period (40% in first 3 weeks v 70% in last 3 weeks; ([70%−40%]/40%x100= 75%; p<0.001 test for trend). All RADAR alerts had explicit documentation of imaging modality and timeframe for follow up, compared to 71% for non-RADAR alerts for IPNs (p<0.001). Conclusion Thoracic radiologists adopted a closed-loop communication system that allows for scheduling and automated tracking of pulmonary nodule follow-up recommendations. This system improved the quality of follow-up recommendations.
Depression and Internally Directed Aggression: Genetic and Environmental Contributions

This study uses behavior genetic (BG) methodology to investigate Freud's theory of depression as aggression directed toward the self (1930) and the extent to which genetically and environmentally influenced aggressive tendencies contribute to depressive symptoms. Data from the Twin and Offspring Study in Sweden (TOSS) is used to demonstrate how, in estimating shared and unique environmental influences, BG methods can inform psychoanalytic theory and practice, particularly because of their shared emphasis on the importance of individual experience in development. The TOSS sample consists of 909 pairs of adult twins, their partners, and one adolescent child per couple. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff 1977) was used to measure depressive symptoms and the Karolinska Scales of Personality (Schalling and Edman 1993) to measure internally directed aggression. Genetic analyses indicated that for both men and women, their unique experiences as well as genetic factors contributed equally to the association between internally directed aggression and depressive symptoms. These findings support Freud's theory that constitutionally based differences in aggression, along with individual experiences, contribute to a person's depressive symptoms. Establishing that an individual's unique, not shared, experiences and perceptions contribute to depressive symptoms and internally directed aggression reinforces the use of patient-specific treatment approaches implemented in psychoanalytic psychotherapy or psychoanalysis.
High-Density Linkage Map and QTLs for Growth in Snapper (Chrysophrys auratus)

Characterizing the genetic variation underlying phenotypic traits is a central objective in biological research. This research has been hampered in the past by the limited genomic resources available for most non-model species. However, recent advances in sequencing technologies and related genotyping methods are rapidly changing this. Here we report the use of genome-wide SNP data from the ecologically and commercially important marine fish species Chrysophrys auratus (snapper) to 1) construct the first linkage map for this species, 2) scan for growth QTL, and 3) search for putative candidate genes in the surrounding QTL regions. The newly constructed linkage map contained ∼11K SNP markers and is one of the densest maps to date in the fish family Sparidae. Comparisons with genome scaffolds of the recently assembled snapper genome indicated that marker placement was mostly consistent between the scaffolds and linkage map (R = 0.7), but that at fine scales (< 5 cM) some precision limitations occurred. Of the 24 linkage groups, which likely reflect the 24 chromosomes of this species, three were found to contain QTL with genome-wide significance for growth-related traits. A scan of 13 candidate growth genes located the growth hormone, myogenin, and parvalbumin genes within 5.3, 9.6, and 25.0 cM of these QTL, respectively. The linkage map and QTL found in this study will advance the investigation of genome structure and aquaculture breeding efforts in this and related species.
Chest infection within 30 days of acute stroke, associated factors, survival and the benefits of stroke unit care: Analysis using linked data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry

Introduction Chest infections following acute stroke contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate factors associated with chest infections that occur within 30 days of stroke, the impact on 90-day survival, and the role of stroke unit care. Methods Patient-level data from the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry (2010–13; 23 Queensland hospitals), were linked with Queensland hospital admission, emergency department (ED), and national death registry data. Acute chest infections were determined using ICD-10 codes from the stroke admission, hospital readmissions, ED contacts, and cause of death data. Patients aged ≥18 years without a prior stroke or chronic respiratory condition were included. Multilevel (hospital and patient) multivariable regression and survival analysis were used to identify associated factors and the influence on 90-day survival. Results Overall, 3149 patients (77% ischemic stroke, 47% female, median age 74 years) were included; 3.1% developed a chest infection within 30 days. Associated factors included: admission to intensive care (OR: 8.26, 95% CI: 4.07, 16.76); and urinary tract infection (OR: 3.09, 95% CI: 1.89, 5.04). Patients not treated in stroke units had a two-fold greater odds of chest infections (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.25, 3.05). Chest infection afforded a greater hazard of death at 90 days (HR: 1.42, 95% CI 1.04, 1.93). This was reduced for those admitted to a stroke unit (HR: 1.31, 95% CI 0.99, 1.75). Conclusion Results emphasize the need for active prevention and highlight the importance of stroke unit care in mitigating risk and improving survival in those with stroke-related chest infections.
3D LiDAR-Based Precision Vehicle Localization with Movable Region Constraints

This paper discusses a high-performance similarity measurement method based on known map information named the cross mean absolute difference (CMAD) method. Applying the conventional normalized cross-correlation (NCC) feature registration method requires sufficient numbers of feature points, which must also exhibit near-normal distribution. However, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) ranging point cloud data scanned and collected on-site are scarce and do not fulfill near-normal distribution. Consequently, considerable localization errors occur when NCC features are registered with map features. Thus, the CMAD method was proposed to effectively improve the NCC algorithm and localization accuracy. Because uncertainties in localization sensors cause deviations in the localization processes, drivable moving regions (DMRs) were established to restrict the range of location searches, filter out unreasonable trajectories, and improve localization speed and performance. An error comparison was conducted between the localization results of the window-based, DMR–CMAD, and DMR–NCC methods, as well as those of the simultaneous localization and mapping methods. The DMR–CMAD method did not differ considerably from the window-based method in its accuracy: the root mean square error in the indoor experiment was no higher than 10 cm, and that of the outdoor experiment was 10–30 cm. Additionally, the DMR–CMAD method was the least time-consuming of the three methods, and the DMR–NCC generated more localization errors and required more localization time than the other two methods. Finally, the DMR–CMAD algorithm was employed for the successful on-site instant localization of a car.
Low dose exposure of patulin and protective effect of epicatechin on blood cells in vitro

Abstract In the present study, we aimed to assess antioxidant status in erythrocytes in vitro after patulin (PAT) and epicatechin exposure by measuring antioxidant enzymes (superoxide-dismutase – SOD, glutathione peroxidase – GPx and catalase – CAT) and parameters associated with oxidative stress (malondialdehyde – MDA and ROS). We also investigated the effect of PAT on viability and count of lymphocytes and lymphocyte subpopulations in rabbit blood in vitro. Whole blood of rabbits was used for analysis of antioxidant changes in rabbit erythrocytes after epicatechin and PAT treatment (separately or in combination, at concentrations of 0.2; 2; 20; 200 µg mL–1 of epicatechin and 0.5; 5; 10 µg mL–1 of PAT). Whole blood of rabbits was also used for analysis of count and viability of lymphocytes after PAT treatment at concentrations of 10; 25 and 50 µg mL–1. Results from our experiment confirmed the ability of epicatechin to protect cells against oxidative stress and lipoperoxidation. Our findings indicate that mycotoxin PAT in low concentrations did not affect the activity of antioxidant enzymes in erythrocytes of rabbits significantly. Only slight non-significant changes in lymphocytes count after treatment with low doses of PAT in rabbit blood were observed.
Split bootstrap hierarchical modeling of antibiotics abuse in China

In the 1990s, China experienced a high degree of antibiotics abuse, which resulted in increased drug resistance. As a result, the World Health Organization introduced a program for children under the age of 5 years who had an acute respiratory tract infection. We analyze the data pertaining to the treatment provided by doctors in several hospitals in China in order to understand the relationships in the data. The data are nested in a three‐level hierarchical structure with small cluster sizes ranging from 2 to 10. While large sample theory provides a mechanism to construct confidence intervals and test hypotheses about regression coefficients, the estimation algorithms often fail to converge when they are applied to small cluster sizes. This paper presents a combination of the cluster bootstrap and primary unit splitting methods, called split bootstrap, which is a novel combination that can be used as an alternative when analyzing data pertaining to the abuse of antibiotics in China with small cluster sizes. The split bootstrap method provides accurate estimations with a minimal reduction in precision.
Comparative study of cerebrospinal fluid α‐synuclein seeding aggregation assays for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease

PD diagnosis is based primarily on clinical criteria and can be inaccurate. Biological markers, such as α‐synuclein aggregation, that reflect ongoing pathogenic processes may increase diagnosis accuracy and allow disease progression monitoring. Though α‐synuclein aggregation assays have been published, reproducibility, standardization, and validation are key challenges for their development as clinical biomarkers.
Optimal Inter-Eye Difference Thresholds by OCT in MS: An International Study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal thresholds for inter-eye differences in retinal nerve fiber and ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer thicknesses for identifying unilateral optic nerve lesions in multiple sclerosis. BACKGROUND: Current international diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis do not include the optic nerve as a lesion site despite frequent involvement. Optical coherence tomography detects retinal thinning associated with optic nerve lesions. METHODS: In this multi-center international study at 11 sites, optical coherence tomography was measured for patients and healthy controls as part of the International Multiple Sclerosis Visual System Consortium. High- and low-contrast acuity were also collected in a subset of participants. Presence of an optic nerve lesion for this study was defined as history of acute unilateral optic neuritis. RESULTS: Among patients (n=1,530), receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an optimal peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer inter-eye difference threshold of 5 microns and ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer threshold of 4 microns for identifying unilateral optic neuritis (n=477). Greater inter-eye differences in acuities were associated with greater inter-eye retinal layer thickness differences (p≤0.001). INTERPRETATION: Inter-eye differences of 5 microns for retinal nerve fiber layer and 4 microns for macular ganglion cell+inner plexiform layer are robust thresholds for identifying unilateral optic nerve lesions. These thresholds may be useful to establish the presence of asymptomatic and symptomatic optic nerve lesions in multiple sclerosis and could be useful in a new version of the diagnostic criteria. Our findings lend further validation for utilizing the visual system in a multiple sclerosis clinical trial setting. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Cognitive rehabilitation using immersive virtual reality at young age: A case report on traumatic brain injury

Abstract Adolescents having moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often experience long-lasting cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems. In current clinical practice, rehabilitation techniques to treat cognitive abnormalities may be classified in two main categories, i.e. conventional or advanced. Aim of this case study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of an immersive virtual environment (Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment [CAREN]), in a young boy affected by severe TBI. A 15-year-old boy with TBI involving the right parietal-temporal region underwent two different rehabilitation trainings, including standard cognitive rehabilitation alone in a usual clinical setting (face-to-face intervention with a paper and pencil approach) or the same cognitive program using virtual scenarios by means of CAREN. We evaluated the patient’s cognitive status, before and after the two different trainings, by using a specific psychometric battery to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral functioning, such as attention abilities, visuo-spatial and executive functions. Only at the end of the CAREN training, we observed a significant improvement in specific cognitive and motor domains, such as attention abilities, visuo-executive processes, emotional awareness, and balance. Cognitive training, using immersive Virtual Reality, may be a useful tool to facilitate cognitive recovery in TBI patients.