Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Degraded conditions: Confounds in the study of decision making

Abstract I raise a consideration complementary to those raised in the target article. Many of the most widely cited studies on decision making involve introspection in degraded conditions, namely, conditions in which agents have no reason for the decisions they reach. But the fact that confabulation occurs in degraded conditions does not impugn the reliability of introspection in non-degraded conditions, that is, in cases in which a subject actually does make a choice for a reason.
Endothelium‐Derived Relaxing Factor and Coronary Vasospasm

The endothelium releases the powerful vasodilator and antiaggregatory substance, EDRF, both under basal conditions and upon stimulation by a wide variety of agents. Endothelial injury or dysfunction may play an important role in the spasmogenicity of the coronary artery, although other possible alterations related to atherosclerosis should also be considered. Among the possible stimuli, aggregating platelets are important as a source of vasoconstrictor substances. The endothelium may also produce the vasoactive substances EDHF and EDCF(s). Their pathophysiologic significance remains to be determined.
Prevalence of Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma spp. in Routine Gynecological Care in Sao Paulo City, Brazil

Background: Mycoplasmas (Mycoplasma spp. and Ureaplasma spp.) are sexually transmitted organisms found primarily in the human urogenital microbiota. These microorganisms are frequently associated with some diseases including non-gonococcal urethritis, vaginosis, pregnancy complications, prenatal infections, systemic infections and infertility. Objectives: The current studyaimedto evaluate the prevalence of Mycoplasma hominisandUreaplasmaspp. in routinegynecological care. Patients and Methods: A cross sectional study with simple random sampling was designed. A total of 6,810 patients with the age range of 11 to 80 years were evaluated, during a six-month period from January 2015 to June 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. DNAs were extracted from cytological samples (ThinPrep™) to detect microorganisms by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: The high prevalence of M. hominis (n = 79), Ureaplasma spp. (n = 2,026) and the co-colonization of both (n = 199) with P < 0.0001 in the samples were verified, mainly in sexually active aged females. The results also indicated a negative and significant correlation between co-colonization of Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. , and age. Conclusions: In conclusion, the data showed that high rate of females harbor these microorganisms in the genital microbiota. This finding suggests the importance of routine gynecological tests, mainly in pregnant females, during the second and third trimesters, and in asymptomatic females under infertility clinical investigation. Furthermore, the application of molecular methods is suggested; since they provide a fast and accurate diagnosis of these microorganisms, but sensitivity of the tests should be considered in the clinical relevant concentration of microorganisms in the genital microbiota
Volumetric capnography and CO/NO diffusion to exclude pulmonary embolism at the emergency room

Rationale: The existing screening tools for pulmonary embolism (PE), such as D-dimer and Wells-score, have low positive predictive values. The use of volumetric capnography or CO/NO diffusion, might result in a more specific exclusion tool for PE. Methods:CO/NO diffusion and volumetric capnography measurements were performed on subsequent patients suspected for PE. Results: A total of 31 patients were included, PE was found on CTPA in 13. Median TL,NO/TL,CO ratio was 4.09 (IQR 3.83 – 4.40) in the no PE group versus 4.00 (IQR 3.78 – 4.32) in the PE group (p=0.959). Median PETCO2 was 4.37 kPa (IQR 4.00 – 4.83) in the no PE group versus 4.07 kPa (IQR 3.37 – 4.38) in the PE group (p=0.075). Median of the novel parameter VCO2xSlopeIII/RR was 1.85 min.kPa /L (IQR 1.21 – 3.00) in the no PE group versus 1.18 min.kPa/L (IQR 0.61 – 1.38) in the PE group (p=0.006). Using a threshold for the new parameter of 1.90 min.kPa/L or higher to exclude PE resulted in a sensitivity of 100% with a specificity of 47%. Conclusion: The TL,NO/TL,CO ratio and PETCO2 alone cannot be used to exclude PE. The novel developed parameter VCO2xSlopeIII/RR seems promising and needs to be validated.
Attitudes of physicians concerning vaccines not included in the national immunization schedule.

Çataklı T, Duyan-Çamurdan A, Aksakal-Baran FN, Güven AE, Beyazova U. Attitudes of physicians concerning vaccines not included in the national immunization schedule. Turk J Pediatr 2018; 60: 290-297. The aim of this study was to identify attitudes of family physicians and pediatricians working in sub-provinces of central Ankara concerning rotavirus (RV), human papilloma virus (HPV), meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-MCV4) and adolescent and adult pertussis (Tdap) vaccines which are not included in the National Immunization Schedule (NIS). Questionnaires were conducted with 300 family physicians and 230 pediatricians who were selected by random sampling. RV vaccine is the most commonly recommended vaccine by physicians (60.5%). It is the vaccine they want to be added to the NIS the most (48.5%). Tdap vaccine is the least recommended vaccine (24.1%) and the least preferred for inclusion in the NIS (19.6%). Of the physicians recommending the RV vaccine 94.0% believe that `RV-related diarrhea cases exhibit a severe course of illness in children younger than two years old. ` Pediatricians recommend RV, meningoccocal and Tdap vaccines more than family physicians (p < 0.05). Of the physicians who do not recommend RV, HPV, and conjugated meningococcal vaccine 87.5%, 96.7% and 27.6% found the vaccines expenive, respectively. Of the physicians who do not recommend Tdap vaccine 90.4% think that `Tdap vaccination is not a health problem of priority for their country. ` In conclusion physicians are recommending vaccines which are not included in the NIS. Their common concern for not recommending these vaccines is expensive price.
Enhancement of Heat Stability and Kinetic Parameters of the Maize Endosperm ADP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase by Mutagenesis of Amino Acids in the Small Subunit With High B Factors

ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) is an important enzyme in starch synthesis and previous studies showed that the heat lability of this enzyme is a determinant to starch synthesis in the maize endosperm and, in turn, seed yield. Here, amino acids in the AGPase endosperm small subunit with high B-factors were mutagenized and individual changes enhancing heat stability and/or kinetic parameters in an Escherichia coli expression system were chosen. Individual mutations were combined and analyzed. One triple mutant, here termed Bt2-BF, was chosen for further study. Combinations of this heat stable, 3-PGA-independent small subunit variant with large subunits also heat stable yielded complex patterns of heat stability and kinetic and allosteric properties. Interestingly, two of the three changes reside in a protein motif found only in AGPases that exhibit high sensitivity to 3-PGA. While not the 3-PGA binding site, amino acid substitutions in this region significantly alter 3-PGA activation kinetics.
Revised distances of Northern HII regions

Aims. Our aim is to determine the distance of outer Galaxy star-forming complexes in order to model the kinematic structure of our Galaxy. Methods. We searched for exciting star(s) of HII regions, with poor or unknown stellar distance, in the second and third galactic quadrants. We carried out spectroscopic and photometric (when necessary) observations in order to establish their spectral type and their U , B and V magnitudes. From these data, complemented with literature data, we determine the spectro-photometric distance of their associated complexes. Results. We (re)established the stellar distance of 23 star forming complexes. Reinvestigating the kinematics of the Perseus and Cygnus arms, we determined the velocity departures from circular rotation and we interpreted them as streaming motions in the spiral arms. Indeed, in addition to the Perseus arm where such departures were known for a long time, we added evidence for velocity deviations in the Cygnus arm. Most significant is that we found the opposite sign for these departures in the Perseus and Cygnus arms, which suggests that the co-rotation radius is located between these two arms at ~13 kpc from the galactic center.
Eucalyptus sp. seedling response to potassium fertilization and soil water.

A considerable portion of Brazil‘s commercial eucalypt plantations is located in areas subjected to periods of water deficit and grown in soils with low natural fertility, particularly poor in potassium. Potassium is influential in controlling water relations of plants. The objective of this study was to verify the influence of potassium fertilization and soil water potential (Ψ w ) on the dry matter production and on water relations of eucalypt seedlings grown under greenhouse conditions. The experimental units were arranged in 4x4x2 randomized blocks factorial design, as follow: four species of Eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus grandis , Eucalyptus urophylla, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and hybrid Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla ), four dosages of K (0, 50, 100 and 200 mg dm -3 ) and two soil water potentials (-0.01MPa and -0.1 MPa). Plastic containers with 15 cm diameter and 18 cm height, with Styrofoam base, containing 3.0 dm 3 of soil and two plants per container were used. Soil water potential was kept at –0.01MPa for 40 days after seeding. Afterward, the experimental units were divided into two groups: in one group the potential was kept at -0.01MPa, and in the other one, at -0.10 MPa. Soil water potential was controlled gravimetrically twice a day with water replacement until the desired potential was reestablished. A week before harvesting, the leaf water potential (Ψ), the photosynthetic rate (A), the stomatal conductance (gs) and the transpiration rate were evaluated. The last week before harvesting, the mass of the containers was recorded daily before watering to determine the consumption of water by the plants. After harvesting, total dry matter and leaf area were evaluated. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, to Tukey's tests and regression analyses. The application of K influenced A, gs and the transpiration rate. Plants deficient in K showed lower A and higher gs and transpiration rates. There were no statistical differences in A, gs and transpiration rates in plants with and without water deficit. The addition of K reduced the consumption of water per unit of leaf area and, in general, plants submitted to water deficit presented a lower consumption of water.
Simple ways to forecast inflation: what works best?

There are many ways to forecast the future rate of inflation, ranging from sophisticated statistical models involving hundreds of variables to hunches based on past experience. We generate a number of forecasts using a simple statistical model and an even simpler estimating rule, adding in various measures thought to be helpful in predicting the course of inflation. Then we compare their forecast accuracy. We find that no single specification outperforms all others over all time periods. For example, the median and 16 percent trimmed-mean measures outperform all other specifications during the 1990s, and survey-based inflation expectations seem to do better during volatile periods.
Ascertaining the impact of endogenous and exogenous factors on the performance of students taking non-specialist accounting courses

This study aims to evaluate the potential determinants of academic performance of nonspecialist accounting students. Considering both actual and initially expected performance, in conjunction with students’ learning styles and preferences, we use two econometric methods Ordinal Probit and Ordinary Least Squared in order to investigate and assess the impact of endogenous and the exogenous factors on the students’ academic achievement. Eventually, based on the results of our estimations, and by dividing the non-specialist students into segments, according to their demographic characteristics, we run a series of simulations to estimate empirically the likelihood of the students to report an academic performance weaker, in line, better, and considerably better than what they expected.
Assessing the population relevance of endocrine‐disrupting effects for nontarget vertebrates exposed to plant protection products

The European Commission intends to protect vertebrate wildlife populations by regulating plant protection product (PPP) active substances that have endocrine‐disrupting properties with a hazard‐based approach. In this paper we consider how the Commission's hazard‐based regulation and accompanying guidance can be operationalized to ensure that a technically robust process is used to distinguish between substances with adverse population‐level effects and those for which it can be demonstrated that adverse effects observed (typically in the laboratory) do not translate into adverse effects at the population level. Our approach is to use population models within the adverse outcome pathway framework to link the nonlinear relationship between adverse effects at the individual and population levels in the following way: (1) use specific protection goals for focal wildlife populations within an ecosystem services framework; (2) model the effects of changes in population‐related inputs on focal species populations with individual‐based population models to determine thresholds between negligible and nonnegligible (i.e., adverse) population‐level effects; (3) compare these thresholds with the relevant endpoints from laboratory toxicity tests to determine whether they are likely to be exceeded at hazard‐based limits or the maximum tolerated dose/concentration from the experimental studies. If the population threshold is not exceeded, then the substance should not be classified as an endocrine disruptor with population‐relevant adversity unless there are other lines of evidence within a weight‐of‐evidence approach to challenge this. We believe this approach is scientifically robust and still addresses the political and legal requirement for a hazard‐based assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;15:278–291. © 2018 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC)
AORTIC DISSECTION

Aortic dissection, once thought to be rare, is the most common catastrophe of the aorta, being twice as common as ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.1 In one Inner London borough, aortic dissection accounted for 4.2% of sudden deaths in men over a three‐year period.2 Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial to achieving a successful outcome, because the events that influence survival occur early in the course of the disease.
Augmented astrocyte microdomain Ca2+ dynamics and parenchymal arteriole tone in angiotensin II‐infused hypertensive mice

Hypertension is an important contributor to cognitive decline but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Although much focus has been placed on the effect of hypertension on vascular function, less is understood of its effects on nonvascular cells. Because astrocytes and parenchymal arterioles (PA) form a functional unit (neurovascular unit), we tested the hypothesis that hypertension‐induced changes in PA tone concomitantly increases astrocyte Ca2+. We used cortical brain slices from 8‐week‐old mice to measure myogenic responses from pressurized and perfused PA. Chronic hypertension was induced in mice by 28‐day angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion; PA resting tone and myogenic responses increased significantly. In addition, chronic hypertension significantly increased spontaneous Ca2+ events within astrocyte microdomains (MD). Similarly, a significant increase in astrocyte Ca2+ was observed during PA myogenic responses supporting enhanced vessel‐to‐astrocyte signaling. The transient potential receptor vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel, expressed in astrocyte processes in contact with blood vessels, namely endfeet, respond to hemodynamic stimuli such as increased pressure/flow. Supporting a role for TRPV4 channels in aberrant astrocyte Ca2+ dynamics in hypertension, cortical astrocytes from hypertensive mice showed augmented TRPV4 channel expression, currents and Ca2+ responses to the selective channel agonist GSK1016790A. In addition, pharmacological TRPV4 channel blockade or genetic deletion abrogated enhanced hypertension‐induced increases in PA tone. Together, these data suggest chronic hypertension increases PA tone and Ca2+ events within astrocytes MD. We conclude that aberrant Ca2+ events in astrocyte constitute an early event toward the progression of cognitive decline.
Effect of Delirium and Other Major Complications on Outcomes After Elective Surgery in Older Adults.

IMPORTANCE Major postoperative complications and delirium contribute independently to adverse outcomes and high resource use in patients who undergo major surgery; however, their interrelationship is not well examined. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association of major postoperative complications and delirium, alone and combined, with adverse outcomes after surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective cohort study in 2 large academic medical centers of 566 patients who were 70 years or older without recognized dementia or a history of delirium and underwent elective major orthopedic, vascular, or abdominal surgical procedures with a minimum 3-day hospitalization between June 18, 2010, and August 8, 2013. Data analysis took place from December 13, 2013, through May 1, 2015. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Major postoperative complications, defined as life-altering or life-threatening events (Accordion Severity grade 2 or higher), were identified by expert-panel adjudication. Delirium was measured daily with the Confusion Assessment Method and a validated medical record review method. The following 4 subgroups were analyzed: (1) no complications or delirium; (2) complications only; (3) delirium only; and (4) complications and delirium. Adverse outcomes included a length of stay (LOS) of more than 5 days, institutional discharge, and rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge. RESULTS In the 566 participants, the mean (SD) age was 76.7 (5.2) years, 236 (41.7%) were male, and 523 (92.4%) were white. Forty-seven patients (8.3%) developed major complications and 135 (23.9%) developed delirium. Compared with no complications or delirium as the reference group, major complications only contributed to prolonged LOS only (relative risk [RR], 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.0); by contrast, delirium only significantly increased all adverse outcomes, including prolonged LOS (RR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.7), institutional discharge (RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7), and 30-day readmission (RR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4-3.7). The subgroup with complications and delirium had the highest rates of all adverse outcomes, including prolonged LOS (RR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.3-4.8), institutional discharge (RR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5), and 30-day readmission (RR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.3-6.8). Delirium exerted the highest attributable risk at the population level (5.8%; 95% CI, 4.7-6.8) compared with all other adverse events (prolonged LOS, institutional discharge, or readmission). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Major postoperative complications and delirium are separately associated with adverse events and demonstrate a combined effect. Delirium occurs more frequently and has a greater effect at the population level than other major complications.
Imaging of Childhood Inflammatory Brain Diseases

Abstract Brain has been considered as an immune-privileged site for centuries owing to the presence of blood-brain barrier, absent lymphatic drainage, and antigen-presenting cells. However, the present prevailing concept is of immune surveillance where brain is continuously surveyed by immune cells. However, the presence of immune cells in central nervous system (CNS) brings the risk of inflammation and autoimmunity involving both T and B cell mediated pathways. These mechanisms form the underlying pathology in a wide spectrum of pediatric CNS diseases manifesting as acquired neurological deficits. Overlapping, heterogenous, and ambiguous clinical features often delays the diagnosis. Although not always pathognomonic, magnetic resonance imaging can be an important biomarker leading to early diagnosis, prognostication, and systematic follow-up pf these diseases. This review describes the spectrum of different pediatric inflammatory disorders and their pertinent imaging features illustrated with clinical examples.
Continuous EEG is associated with favorable hospitalization outcomes for critically ill patients

Objective To characterize continuous EEG (cEEG) use patterns in the critically ill and to determine the association with hospitalization outcomes for specific diagnoses. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study with National Inpatient Sample data from 2004 to 2013. We sampled hospitalized adult patients who received intensive care and then compared patients who underwent cEEG to those who did not. We considered diagnostic subgroups of seizure/status epilepticus, subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage, and altered consciousness. Outcomes were in-hospital mortality, hospitalization cost, and length of stay. Results In total, 7,102,399 critically ill patients were identified, of whom 22,728 received cEEG. From 2004 to 2013, the proportion of patients who received cEEG increased from 0.06% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.03%–0.09%) to 0.80% (95% CI 0.62%–0.98%). While the cEEG cohort appeared more ill, cEEG use was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality after adjustment for patient and hospital characteristics (odds ratio [OR] 0.83, 95% CI 0.75–0.93, p < 0.001). This finding held for the diagnoses of subarachnoid or intracerebral hemorrhage and for altered consciousness but not for the seizure/status epilepticus subgroup. Cost and length of hospitalization were increased for the cEEG cohort (OR 1.17 and OR 1.11, respectively, p < 0.001). Conclusions There was a >10-fold increase in cEEG use from 2004 to 2013. However, this procedure may still be underused; cEEG was associated with lower in-hospital mortality but used for only 0.3% of the critically ill population. While administrative claims analysis supports the utility of cEEG for critically ill patients, our findings suggest variable benefit by diagnosis, and investigation with greater clinical detail is warranted.