Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deficient supplementary motor area at rest: Neural basis of limb kinetic deficits in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients frequently suffer from limb kinetic apraxia (LKA) affecting quality of life. LKA denotes an impairment of precise and independent finger movements beyond bradykinesia, which is reliably assessed by coin rotation (CR) task. BOLD fMRI detected activation of a left inferior parietal‐premotor praxis network in PD during CR. Here, we explored which network site is most critical for LKA using arterial spin labeling (ASL). Based on a hierarchical model, we hypothesized that LKA would predominantly affect the functional integrity of premotor areas including supplementary motor areas (SMA). Furthermore, we suspected that for praxis function with higher demand on temporal‐spatial processing such as gesturing, inferior parietal lobule (IPL) upstream to premotor areas would be essential. A total of 21 PD patients and 20 healthy controls underwent ASL acquisition during rest. Behavioral assessment outside the scanner involved the CR, finger tapping task, and the test of upper limb apraxia (TULIA). Whole‐brain analysis of activity at rest showed a significant reduction of CR‐related perfusion in the left SMA of PD. Furthermore, the positive correlation between SMA perfusion and CR, seen in controls, was lost in patients. By contrast, TULIA was significantly associated with the perfusion of left IPL in both patients and controls. In conclusion, the findings suggest that LKA in PD are linked to an intrinsic disruption of the left SMA function, which may only be overcome by compensatory network activation. In addition, gestural performance relies on IPL which remains available for functional recruitment in early PD.
Long‐Run Diversification Potential in Emerging Stock Markets

In this paper we use cointegration tests to examine the long-run diversification potential of 13 emerging capital markets. The Johansen and Johansen and Juselius cointegration procedures are applied to the U.S. and 13 emerging capital markets in three geographical regions of the world. None of the three regions examined possesses cointegrated markets. The lack of cointegration indicates that the correlation between returns from each market is independent of the investment horizon. Return correlations using weekly data correspond to the long-run investment horizon correlation. Correlations among the returns from these countries are low on average and occasionally negative. The apparent independence of markets within these three emerging regions suggests that diversification across these countries is effective. Copyright 1996 by MIT Press.
Association between performance measurement systems and organisational effectiveness

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of performance measurement systems in organisational effectiveness in the context of the financial services sector within a developing country. Design/methodology/approach – Using the mail survey method data were collected from 69 financial institutions operating in Nepal. Multivariate analysis, in particular multiple regression analysis was employed to test the hypotheses. Findings – The results suggest that non-financial measures and feedback are tightly intertwined with organisational effectiveness. While institutions are focused on using the performance measures concerning internal business process perspective, less emphasis is placed on using customer and employee-related performance measures because they are considered less significant to organisational effectiveness. The findings also reveal that strategy-related feedback is considered more critical by management, as opposed to performance and staff. The study also provides evidence tha.
Modelling the mortality of members of group schemes in South Africa

In this paper, the methodology underlying the graduation of the mortality of members of group schemes in South Africa underwritten by life insurance companies under group life-insurance arrangements is described and the results are presented. A multivariate parametric curve was fitted to the data for the working ages 25 to 65 and comparisons are made with the mortality rates from the SA85-90 ultimate rates for insured lives and the ASSA2008 AIDS and demographic model. The results show that the mortality of members of group schemes is lower than that of the general population, mortality decreasing with increasing salary, as would be expected. For males it was found that there were differences in mortality rates by industry for a given salary band, whereas for females these differences only occurred in the lower salary bands. Furthermore, there is evidence of the healthy-worker effect at ages 60 and above, where the mortality rates appear to level off or even decrease as age increases. This contrasts with the mortality rates from the SA85-90 ultimate rates for insured lives and the ASSA2008 AIDS and demographic model, which increase exponentially.
A Carboxyl-terminal PDZ-interacting Domain of Scavenger Receptor B, Type I Is Essential for Cell Surface Expression in Liver*

Scavenger receptor B, type I (SR-BI) was recently shown to interact with a PDZ domain-containing protein, PDZK1 (CLAMP/Diphor-1/CAP70/NaPi-Cap1), but the importance of this interaction in vivo in terms of SR-BI function has not been determined. In an effort to elucidate the role of this interactionin vivo, the PDZK1-interacting domain of SR-BI was identified and mutated and expressed liver-specifically in mice. The PDZKI-interacting domain on SR-BI was identified as the last three carboxyl-terminal amino acids, Arg-Lys-Leu. A mutant SR-BI (SR-BIdel509) that lacked only the leucine in the PDZ-interacting domain failed to interact with PDZK1 in vitro, while showing normal selective uptake function in nonpolarized cells. Transgenic mice with liver overexpression of SR-BIdel509 showed marked accumulation of SR-BI mRNA with only a moderate increase in SR-BI protein in liver, with no reduction in plasma cholesterol levels. Measurement of cell surface SR-BI levels and HDL cholesteryl ester-selective uptake in primary hepatocytes from transgenic mice revealed that SR-BIdel509 was not expressed at the plasma membrane correlating with normal levels of selective uptake compared with hepatocytes from nontransgenic littermates. This study indicates that the PDZK1-interacting domain of SR-BI is essential for cell surface expression of SR-BI in liver and suggests that PDZK1 or other PDZ domain proteins may play an important role in regulating SR-BI cell surface expression and hence reverse cholesterol transport.
The Case in Favor of E-Cigarettes for Tobacco Harm Reduction

A carefully structured Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) initiative, with e-cigarettes as a prominent THR modality, added to current tobacco control programming, is the most feasible policy option likely to substantially reduce tobacco-attributable illness and death in the United States over the next 20 years. E-cigarettes and related vapor products are the most promising harm reduction modalities because of their acceptability to smokers. There are about 46 million smokers in the United States, and an estimated 480,000 deaths per year attributed to cigarette smoking. These numbers have been essentially stable since 2004. Currently recommended pharmaceutical smoking cessation protocols fail in about 90% of smokers who use them as directed, even under the best of study conditions, when results are measured at six to twelve months. E-cigarettes have not been attractive to non-smoking teens or adults. Limited numbers non-smokers have experimented with them, but hardly any have continued their use. The vast majority of e-cigarette use is by current smokers using them to cut down or quit cigarettes. E-cigarettes, even when used in no-smoking areas, pose no discernable risk to bystanders. Finally, addition of a THR component to current tobacco control programming will likely reduce costs by reducing the need for counseling and drugs.
Phylotype-Level Profiling of Lactobacilli in Highly Complex Environments by Means of an Internal Transcribed Spacer-Based Metagenomic Approach

ABSTRACT The genus Lactobacillus is a widespread taxon, members of which are highly relevant to functional and fermented foods, while they are also commonly present in host-associated gut and vaginal microbiota. Substantial efforts have been undertaken to disclose the genetic repertoire of all members of the genus Lactobacillus, and yet their species-level profiling in complex matrices is still undeveloped due to the poor phylotype resolution of profiling approaches based on the 16S rRNA gene. To overcome this limitation, an internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-based profiling method was developed to accurately profile lactobacilli at the species level. This approach encompasses a genus-specific primer pair combined with a database of ITS sequences retrieved from all available Lactobacillus genomes and a script for the QIIME software suite that performs all required steps to reconstruct a species-level profile. This methodology was applied to several environments, i.e., human gut and vagina and the ceca of free-range chickens, as well as whey and fresh cheese. Interestingly, the data collected confirmed a relevant role of lactobacilli present in functional and fermented foods in defining the population harbored by the human gut, while, unsurprisingly perhaps, the ceca of free-range chickens were observed to be dominated by lactobacilli characterized in birds living in natural environments. Moreover, vaginal swabs confirmed the existence of previously hypothesized community state types, while analysis of whey and fresh cheese revealed a dominant presence of single Lactobacillus species used as starters for cheese production. Furthermore, application of this ITS profiling method to a mock Lactobacillus community allowed a minimal resolution level of <0.006 ng/μl. IMPORTANCE The genus Lactobacillus is a large and ubiquitous taxon of high scientific and commercial relevance. Despite the fact that the genetic repertoire of Lactobacillus species has been extensively characterized, the ecology of this genus has been explored by metataxonomic techniques that are accurate down to the genus or phylogenetic group level only. Thus, the distribution of lactobacilli in environmental or processed food samples is relatively unexplored. The profiling protocol described here relies on the use of the internal transcribed spacer to perform an accurate classification in a target population of lactobacilli with a <0.006-ng/μl sensitivity. This approach was used to analyze five sample types collected from both human and animal host-associated microbiota, as well as from the cheese production chain. The availability of a tool for species-level profiling of lactobacilli may be highly useful for both academic research and a wide range of industrial applications.
A conditional CAPM: implications for systematic risk estimation

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine, whether or not, the residuals of the market model (MM) are conditionally heteroscedastic; to examine, whether or not, there exists an intervalling effect in conditional heteroscedasticity in the residuals of the MM; to propose a simple data-driven conditional capital asset pricing model (CAPM); and to examine the effect of conditional heteroscedasticity on the estimation of systematic risk. Design/methodology/approach - Systematic risk coefficients (betas) are estimated at first using data of various frequencies from the Athens stock exchange without taking into account conditional heteroscedasticity. The same procedure is repeated, but this time taking into consideration conditional heteroscedasticity, which is found to exist. The results of the two approaches are compared. Findings - Empirical evidence is provided for the existence of: conditional heteroscedasticity in MM residuals; a pronounced intervalling effect on autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (ARCH) in MM residuals; and generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity in mean type of conditional heteroscedasticity for the majority of cases where ARCH was present in MM residuals. These findings are conducive to a conditional CAPM, which takes into account the effect of conditional variance on expected returns, rather than the standard CAPM. Practical implications - Better estimates of financial risk. Originality/value - The intervalling effect in ARCH in the residuals of the MM is examined for the first time.
The Reaction of Asset Markets to Swiss National Bank Communication

In this paper we analyze high-frequency movements in Swiss asset markets in reaction to real-time communication by the Swiss National Bank. Our analysis of central bank communication encompasses monetary policy announcements, speeches and interviews. We examine the reactions of the currency market, the bond market and the stock exchange. The evidence suggests that speeches and interviews, along with monetary policy announcements, engender a significant price reaction. This paper sheds light on the relevance of communications other than monetary policy announcements.
The Development of Organization Structure in the Family Firm

Where the family does play an important part in business it is often a reflection of the economic immaturity of the population, the absence of a tradition of impersonal service in industry and the vulnerability of employees who have no kinship ties to the firm.1 —United Nations There has always been, and there will always be, a place for smaller companies and for the family business.2 —Sir Frederick Catherwood
Awareness of breast cancer warning signs and screening methods among female residents of Pokhara valley, Nepal.

BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in the world and by far the most frequent cancer among women. OBJECTIVE The present study was undertaken to assess the awareness of breast cancer warning signs and screening methods among the women of Pokhara valley, Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out in a community setting with the female population. The questionnaire was administered in face-to-face interviews by trained research assistants. RESULTS Nepalese women demonstrated poor awareness of warning signs like a breast lump, lump under the armpit, bleeding or discharge from the nipple, pulling of the nipple, changes in the position of the nipple, nipple rash, redness of the breast skin, changes in the size of the breast or nipple, changes in the shape of the breast or nipple, pain in the breast or armpit, and dimpling of the breast skin. While 100% of nurses were aware about breast self- examination (BSE), mammography and warning signs of breast cancer. Levels of knowledge were significantly poorer in women with other occupations. Graduates were more aware about BSE, mammogram and warning signs of breast cancer compared to those with other educational levels. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicated that the level of awareness of breast cancer, including knowledge of warning signs and BSE, is sub-optimal among Nepalese women.
An exploration of the relationship between size, diversification and risk in UK real estate portfolios: 1989-1999

Real estate portfolio diversification takes many forms, most of which can be associated with size (value). Larger portfolios are assumed to have greater diversification potential than small portfolios. In addition, since greater diversification is generally associated with lower risk it is assumed that larger portfolios will also have reduced return variability compared to smaller portfolios. If large real estate portfolios can simply be regarded as scaled-up, better-diversified, versions of small real estate portfolios, then the greater a portfolio's size, the lower the risk. This suggests a negative relationship between size and risk. If however large real estate portfolios are not just scaled-up versions of small portfolios, these relationships may not hold. This paper explores the empirical relationship between real estate portfolio size, diversification and risk using the returns from 136 UK real estate portfolios over the period 1989 to 1999. Using a conceptually sound measure of overall portfolio diversification (R²) it is shown that a significantly positive correlation between size and diversification does not necessarily translate into the expected negative correlation between size and risk. The analysis shows that increasing portfolio size may lead to a larger reduction in specific risk than previous studies have identified, with the proviso that this increase is not accompanied by other risk- enhancing activities. In the context of portfolio management this leads to a view that performance evaluation and benchmarking should seek to control for the style and specialisation of the fund (managers) because it seems clear that systematic risk does vary to an appreciable extent because of these features.
Dynamic correlations between REIT sub-sectors and the implications for diversification

The issue of whether Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) should pursue a focused or diversified investment strategy remains an ongoing debate within both the academic and industry communities. This article considers the relationship between REITs focused on different property sectors in a Generalized Autoregressive Conditional Heteroscedasticity-Dynamic Control Correlation (GARCH-DCC) framework. The daily conditional correlations reveal that since 1990 there has been a marked upward trend in the coefficients between US REIT sub-sectors. The findings imply that REITs are behaving in a far more homogeneous manner than in the past. Furthermore, the argument that REITs should be focused in order that investors can make the diversification decision is reduced.
The Ultimate Faculty Evaluation: Promotion and Tenure Decisions

In this chapter I take the perspective of the former chair and current mem-ber of the College Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee(RPT) in the College of Education at Michigan State University (MSU). Based on this experience and many others (see Fairweather, 1996), I con-clude that the faculty in our college draw inferences about what their insti-tution, college, and department value the most by viewing the outcome ofpromotion and tenure decisions (and sometimes salaries and raises) morethan by the ways that a college or institution chooses to measure perfor-mance and set RPT criteria. As Huber notes in Chapter Seven, “
High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Effects on Motor Intracortical Neurophysiology: A Sham-Controlled Investigation

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) versus sham stimulation on intracortical inhibition (ICI) and intracortical facilitation within the motor cortex. Such data are needed to better understand the presumed neurophysiologic effects of rTMS. Methods: The authors hypothesized that, compared with sham stimulation, 20 Hz rTMS will decrease ICI and increase intracortical facilitation in healthy volunteers. Using single-pulse and paired-pulse TMS, the authors evaluated prestimulation and poststimulation effects on motor cortex neurophysiology in neurologically healthy volunteers who received 2,000 stimuli of either 20 Hz rTMS (n = 11) or sham rTMS (n = 8). Primary outcomes were changes in ICI and intracortical facilitation and secondary outcomes were changes in motor threshold and motor evoked potential amplitude, and both were assessed using separate 2 × 2 (group × time) repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: For ICI, there were main effects of time (P = 0.002) and group (P < 0.001) with a significant group-by-time interaction (P < 0.01). Intracortical inhibition decreased after rTMS, but was unchanged by sham rTMS. Intracortical facilitation results revealed a main effect of group (P = 0.02) and a significant group-by-time interaction (P = 0.048). Intracortical facilitation increased after rTMS and was slightly reduced after sham rTMS. The group-by-time interactions for motor threshold and motor evoked potential amplitude were not significant. Conclusions: High-frequency rTMS significantly influences the excitatory and inhibitory outputs of motor intracortical networks, specifically increasing intracortical facilitation and reducing ICI as compared with sham stimulation. Such changes were observed despite no significant changes in broader measures of motor cortex activation, that is, motor threshold and motor evoked potential amplitude.
Characterizing Early Events Associated with the Activation of Target Genes by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Mouse Kidney and Intestine in Vivo*

In this report, we explore the interaction of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) at regulatory sites within both the Cyp24a1 and the Trpv6 genes using chromatin immunoprecipitation techniques in a mouse model in vivo. We show that exogenous 1,25(OH)2D3 induces rapid VDR and RXR (retinoid X receptor) binding to the Cyp24a1 gene in both the kidney and the intestine and to the Trpv6 gene in the intestine. Separate studies of Trpv6 in vitro suggest that VDR binding occurs directly to VDR response elements located –2 and –4 kb upstream of the TSS. VDR binding is dose-dependent, demonstrating EC50 values that are comparable with those for the induction of both Cyp24a1 and Trpv6 mRNA. Importantly, interaction of the VDR with these targets results in rapid changes in histone 4 acetylation as well as the recruitment of RNA polymerase II. The presence of both VDR and RNA polymerase II at these sites declines between 3–6 h, whereas the changes observed in acetylation decrease more slowly. Finally, we show that whereas mediator protein 1 is recruited to the Cyp24a1 promoter in the intestine, this coactivator is apparently not required for Trpv6 activation. These studies provide the first evidence for 1,25(OH)2D3-induced VDR interaction at key target genes in vivo, revealing the consequences of that interaction on the Cyp24a1 and Trpv6 genes.
Tax Cuts for Whom? Heterogeneous Effects of Income Tax Changes on Growth and Employment

This paper investigates how tax changes for different income groups affect aggregate economic activity. I construct a measure of who received (or paid for) tax changes in the postwar period using tax return data from NBER’s TAXSIM. Variation in the income distribution across US states and federal tax changes generate variation in regional tax shocks that I exploit to test for heterogeneous effects. I find that the positive relationship between tax cuts and employment growth is largely driven by tax cuts for lower-income groups and that the effect of tax cuts for the top 10 percent on employment growth is small.
Factors Influencing Housing Equity Withdrawal: Evidence from a Microeconomic Survey

The increase in housing equity withdrawal and coincident decline in aggregate savings rates in a number of countries in recent years is consistent with the consumption-smoothing model of housing equity withdrawal. However, there are a variety of other theoretical models that purport to explain why households withdraw and inject equity. To assess the relative importance of these various theories, we use a comprehensive survey of the equity withdrawal and injection decisions of Australian households. We find support for several theories. Life cycle considerations appear to be most important, with older households accounting for the bulk of equity withdrawn. Portfolio rebalancing considerations also appear important, with financial asset accumulation the primary use of withdrawn funds. Consumption-smoothing motives play an influential role, although primarily for smaller-value transactions.