Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal and Amygdala Gray Matter Loss in Elderly Controls with Subtle Cognitive Decline

In contrast to the idea that hippocampal and amygdala volume loss occur in late phases of neurodegeneration, recent contributions point to the relevance of preexisting structural deficits that are associated with aging and are independent of amyloid deposition in preclinical Alzheimer disease cases. The present work explores GM hippocampal and amygdala volumes in elderly controls displaying the first signs of cognitive decline. 455 subjects (263 females), including 374 controls (228 females) and 81 middle cognitive impairment subjects (35 females), underwent two neuropsychological evaluations (baseline and 18 months follow-up) and a MRI-T1 examination (only baseline). Clinical assessment included Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating scale, Hospitalized Anxiety and Depression scale, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease neuropsychological battery and RI-48 Cued Recall Test (RI-48) for episodic memory. Based on their cognitive performance, we defined the controls as stable controls (sCON) and deteriorating controls (dCONs). Analyses included volumetric assessment, shape analyses and linear regressions between GM volume loss and differences in clinical scores between baseline and follow-up. Significant GM volume decrease in hippocampus bilaterally and right amygdala was found in dCON compared to sCON (p < 0.05). Lower right amygdala volumes were measured in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) compared to sCON (p < 0.05). Shape analyses revealed that atrophy was more pronounced at the superior- posterior lateral side of the hippocampus and amygdala. Significant correlations were found between GM volume of left hippocampus and the delta of MMSE and RI-48 scores in dCON and MCI groups separately. Decreased hippocampal and right amygdala volumes precede the first signs of cognitive decline in healthy elderly controls at the pre-MCI state. Left hippocampus volume may also predict short-term changes of overall cognition in these vulnerable cases.
Hyperholomorphic bundles over a hyperkähler manifold.

Hyperholomorphic bundles over a hyperkähler manifold. 0. Intruduction. The main object of this paper is the notion of a hyperholomorphic bundle (Definition 2.4) over a hyperkähler manifold M (Definition 1.1). The hyperholomorphic bundle is a direct sum of holomorphic stable holomor-phic bundles. The first Chern class of a hyperholomorphic bundle is of zero degree. Roughly speaking, the hyperholomorphic bundle is a bundle which is holomorphic with respect to all complex structures induced by the hy-perkähler structure on M. It was proven (Proposition 4.1 of [V]) that if M is a complex hyperkähler surface (K3 or abelian surface) then any stable bundle whith first Chern class of zero degree is hyperholomorphic. Interesting properties of hyperholomorphic bundles include the analogue of (p,q)-decomposition, ∂ ¯ ∂-lemma and an analogue of the strong Lefshetz theorem on the holomorphic cohomology H * (B) of a hyperholomorphic B with a parallel real structure (proven in the Section 4). For a hyperkähler manifold, one can define the action of quaternions on its cohomology groups. The characteristic classes of a hyperholomorphic bundle are invariant under this action. Conversely, if B is a stable bundle with the first two Chern classes invariant under the quaternion action, the bundle B is hyperholomorphic (Theorem 2.5). We are describing a coarse moduli space of deformations of a hyperholo-morphic bundle locally (Theorem 6.2). In particular, we show that there are no obstructions for a deformation besides Yoneda pairing (Definition 6.2). This description is used to construct a hyperkähler structure on the space of deformations of a given hyperholomorphic bundle (Theorem 6.3), thus generalizing results of [M] and [Ko]. As an application, one can prove that the stable moduli space for the stable bundles with certain Chern classes do not depend on the choice of a base manifold in its deformation class (Proposition 10.3).
Constraint Universality and Prosodic Phrasing in Māori

This paper explores the notion that all constraints are present in all grammars (‘Universality’). For any pair of constraints, Universality is shown to produce four types of system, differing in terms of the constraints’ activity (i.e. visible effect). Conditions on the typological predictions are identified. Building on Samek-Lodovici (1996, 1998a,b), one of the more surprising results – that two constraints may both be active in a language even if they conflict – is explored for the syntax-phonology interface. The empirical focus is the Polynesian language Māori, where it is argued that both left and right edges of lexical syntactic phrases align with the left and right edges of Phonological Phrases respectively.
Nonuniqueness for specifications in l 2 + ǫ

Keane, Berbee and others have studied the question of which specifications (aka g-functions) admit a unique Gibbs measures. Bramson and Kalikow constructed the first example of a regular and continuous specification which admits multiple measures. For every p > 2, we construct a regular and continuous specification, whose variation is in l, that admits multiple Gibbs measures. This shows that a recent condition of Öberg and Johansson is tight.
Students’ Perceptions of Group Journal Writing as a Tool for Enhancing Sense of Community on Wilderness Educational Expeditions

Journal writing is a common practice in outdoor education (OE) and there is a long-standing claim that OE programs enhance sense of community (SOC). However, there remains a call for additional evidence to support the relationship between participation in outdoor programs and SOC. This study examines students’ perceptions of the role of a group journal activity (GJA)—an uncommon form of journaling—on the development of SOC during a wilderness educational expedition (WEE) and proposes group journal writing as an additional model of journaling on WEEs. To measure SOC, we used Chavis, Lee, and Acosta’s (2008) Sense of Community Index version 2. Although the total SOC scale did not increase significantly, the two subscales, membership and shared emotional connection, increased as a result of participation in the WEE and remained stable over time. In addition, students perceived the GJA as contributing to the enhancement of SOC. Subscribe to JOREL
Innate immunity in the lung: how epithelial cells fight against respiratory pathogens

The human lung is exposed to a large number of airborne pathogens as a result of the daily inhalation of 10,000 litres of air. The observation that respiratory infections are nevertheless rare is testimony to the presence of an efficient host defence system at the mucosal surface of the lung. The airway epithelium is strategically positioned at the interface with the environment, and thus plays a key role in this host defence system. Recognition systems employed by airway epithelial cells to respond to microbial exposure include the action of the toll-like receptors. The airway epithelium responds to such exposure by increasing its production of mediators such as cytokines, chemokines and antimicrobial peptides. Recent findings indicate the importance of these peptides as effector molecules of innate immunity by killing microorganisms, but also as regulators of inflammation, immunity and wound repair. Finally, the clinical relevance of the functions of the airway epithelium in innate immunity is discussed.
On the fungibility of economic power: China’s economic rise and the East Asian security order

China is now second only to the US as a world economic power. Its economic rise has challenged US ability to fundamentally shape the world trade order. However, the importance of the rise of the Chinese economy for international security affairs is less clear. The key analytical issue for international politics and for an understanding of the sources of power is whether economic power is fungible in international security affairs, whether it can independently determine the strategic alignments of small states. This is also the key question in assessing the implications of China’s economic rise for the East Asian security order. The political-economy literature argues that trade dependence can lead small states to realign within great power politics, regardless of the military balance. However, poor case selection challenges this prior literature. By using contemporary East Asia as a source of multiple bilateral case studies, I argue that the economic dependence of a small state on a great economic power is insufficient to influence independently small state strategic alignment preferences and that China’s rising economic power is not fungible in East Asian security affairs.
Impulse buying intentions of young consumers from a hedonic shopping perspective

Purpose The purpose of this research paper is to examine predictors of impulsive buying intentions among youngsters from a hedonic shopping perspective. Recent theoretical work suggests that impulsive buying can function as a form of different hedonic shopping value dimensions such as fun, social interactions, novelty, escapism and outside appreciation. Design/methodology/approach The present research empirically tests a theoretical model of impulse buying intentions by examining the associations between hedonic shopping value dimensions and intentions in the presence of situational characteristics as moderators. A survey of 333 youngsters aged 15 to 23 is conducted using a structured questionnaire. Constructs are measured using established scales. Findings Results indicate that the impulsive buying intentions of youngsters are positively associated with all the five dimensions of hedonic shopping value. Situational characteristics of money and time availability positively moderate this relationship. Task definition negatively moderates the association between impulsive buying intention and hedonic shopping value dimensions. Research limitations/implications Two major theoretical implications result from this study. First, the study enabled the conceptualization of a theoretical framework of impulse buying intentions by including five dimensions of hedonic shopping value as important factors in young consumers’ impulse behavior buying intentions. Further, it includes the moderating effects of all the three aspects of situational characteristics in the same model. Practical implications The marketers can make use of the shopping value dimensions and the situational characteristics moderators to design and implement marketing strategies so that sales via impulse buying are maximized. Originality/value This study provides novel insights on the complex process of impulsive buying by youngsters by expanding the application of the hedonic shopping motives in the presence of situational factors as moderating variables.
Equalizers or Enablers of Inequality? A Counterfactual Analysis of Racial and Residential Test Score Gaps in Year-Round and Nine-Month Schools

Persistent racial/ethnic and residential disparities in test scores suggest schools fail to serve as society’s great equalizers. Yet few studies have explored whether policies that adjust children’s time in school are effective in reducing test-score inequality. We use ECLS-K data to compare children who attend year-round schools to those in nine-month schools, exploring (1) whether there were mean differences in the reading and math performance among first graders attending year-round and nine-month schools, (2) if racial and residential differences in children’s test scores existed between the schooling types, and (3) if neighborhood effects related to academic performance strengthened or weakened as the children’s exposure to schooling increased. Contrary to previous claims that schooling increases test-score inequality, we found no significant test-score differences among race-based groups of children according to neighborhood conditions in year-round schools. In contrast, we found prominent neighborhood effects and social class differences among children attending nine-month schools. We conclude with a discussion of the policy implications.
Craniosynostosis-Associated Fgfr2C342Y Mutant Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Exhibit Cell Autonomous Abnormalities in Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation

We recently reported that cranial bones of Fgfr2C342Y/+ craniosynostotic mice are diminished in density when compared to those of wild type mice, and that cranial bone cells isolated from the mutant mice exhibit inhibited late stage osteoblast differentiation. To provide further support for the idea that craniosynostosis-associated Fgfr mutations lead to cell autonomous defects in osteoblast differentiation and mineralized tissue formation, here we tested bone marrow stromal cells isolated from Fgfr2C342Y/+ mice for their ability to differentiate into osteoblasts. Additionally, to determine if the low bone mass phenotype of Crouzon syndrome includes the appendicular skeleton, long bones were assessed by micro CT. Fgfr2C342Y/+ cells showed increased osteoblastic gene expression during early osteoblastic differentiation but decreased expression of alkaline phosphatase mRNA and enzyme activity, and decreased mineralization during later stages of differentiation, when cultured under 2D in vitro conditions. Cells isolated from Fgfr2C342Y/+ mice also formed less bone when allowed to differentiate in a 3D matrix in vivo. Cortical bone parameters were diminished in long bones of Fgfr2C342Y/+ mice. These results demonstrate that marrow stromal cells of Fgfr2C342Y/+ mice have an autonomous defect in osteoblast differentiation and bone mineralization, and that the Fgfr2C342Y mutation influences both the axial and appendicular skeletons.
Optimizing the Developmental Consequences of Education: Reflections on Issues Raised by Michael Cole

Can humanity make the world a better place? Is social progress possible? The twentieth century saw the formulation of several international conventions on human rights, building on the abolition of slavery, calling for the elimination of racial discrimination, oppression of women, and exploitation of children. Within this broad, progressivist program, one of the most practical proposals has been to increase the level of enrolment of girls and boys in school by taking affirmative action on behalf of those against whom there exist identifiable social barriers. A crucial premise of this agenda is that the experience of schooling reliably affords students beneficial developmental opportunities, like the growth of intellectual competencies, orientation towards society’s expectations, and preparation to focus their energies in ways that will be beneficial to the whole society. How can psychological research help to guide the design of formal education so as to optimize its achievement of those developmental consequences? Michael Cole has been a leading exponent over the past 40 years of how to situate the Western science of developmental psychology in its cultural and historical context [Cole, 1996]. As he observes in this paper, despite the methodological sophistication of the extensive, cross-cultural research of the 1960s and 1970s, which consistently showed superior performance on cognitive tasks by schooled over unschooled children, ‘there are serious reasons to doubt that differences obtained with standard psychological testing methods provide any logical evidence at all for generalized changes in classical categories of cognitive functioning. ’
All-word Prediction as the Ultimate Confusible Disambiguation

We present a classification-based word prediction model based on IGTree, a decision-tree induction algorithm with favorable scaling abilities and a functional equivalence to n-gram models with back-off smoothing. Through a first series of experiments, in which we train on Reuters newswire text and test either on the same type of data or on general or fictional text, we demonstrate that the system exhibits log-linear increases in prediction accuracy with increasing numbers of training examples. Trained on 30 million words of newswire text, prediction accuracies range between 12.6% on fictional text and 42.2% on newswire text. In a second series of experiments we compare all-words prediction with confusable prediction, i.e., the same task, but specialized to predicting among limited sets of words. Confusable prediction yields high accuracies on nine example confusable sets in all genres of text. The confusable approach outperforms the all-words-prediction approach, but with more data the difference decreases.
Default Mode Network Functional Connectivity: A Promising Biomarker for Diagnosing Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy

AbstractTo investigate the contribution of brain default mode network (DMN) in the early diagnosis of the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), the mildest form of HE from cirrhotic patients by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). This study was approved by the local ethical committee, and a written informed consent was obtained from each participant. A total of 103 cirrhotic patients (34 MHE, 69 non-HE) and 103 matched healthy controls underwent rs-fMRI scanning. The DMN correlation map was acquired by using unbiased seed-based functional connectivity analysis and compared among MHE patients, non-HE patients, and healthy controls with analysis of variance tests. Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the abnormal DMN connectivity and neuropsychological performances. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of DMN connectivity strength in the differential diagnosis between MHE and non-HE.Compared with the healthy controls, MHE and non-HE patients showed decreased DMN connectivity in medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), left superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left temporal lobe, and bilateral middle temporal gyri (MTG). The MHE patients showed even more decreased connectivity in MPFC, left SFG, and right MTG when compared with non-HE patients. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that the decreased connectivity strength of some DMN regions correlated with patients’ neuropsychological tests scores. Connectivity strength of the MPFC, right MTG, and left SFG could differentiate MHE from non-HE, of which the MPFC had the highest effectiveness (sensitivity = 81.5%, specificity = 70.4%). Cirrhotic patients had gradually reduced DMN functional connectivty from non-HE patients to MHE patients. DMN function, especially the MPFC, might be a useful imaging marker for differentiating MHE from cirrhotic patients.
Nodes updates censoring and scheduling in constrained decentralized positioning for large-scale motion capture based on wireless body area networks

Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN) are endowed with relatively raw but intrinsic motion capture capabilities through radiolocation, which may be of interest for home activity monitoring, large-scale postural rehabilitation or gaming applications. In this context, we propose a solution to localize wearable wireless nodes relatively to a body-strapped Local Coordinate System (LCS). More particularly, we consider adapting a Constrained Distributed Weighted Multi-Dimensional Scaling algorithm (CDWMDS) that asynchronously estimates nodes' locations under fixed-length constraints. This algorithm is fed by inter-node range measurements based on e.g. Impulse Radio - Ultra Wideband (IR-UWB) Time Of Arrival (TOA) estimation. Several new enhancements to the nominal CDWMDS, including nodes censoring and updates scheduling for nodes' locations, are herein put forward to mitigate errors propagation and harmful effects caused by fast moving nodes. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the gains observed on the average location error per node under moderate pedestrian mobility, relying on a realistic biomechanical model.
The impact of visualisation on psychological outcomes.

Background: Existing evidence examining the effects of image based interventions provides contrasting findings in terms of the impact of visual stimuli on illness cognitions, motivation and behaviour. Aims: This thesis aimed to explore the impact of a variety of visual stimuli of a general and personalised nature on healthy participants' and patients' outcomes such as illness cognitions, affect, pain and behavioural intentions. Method: The thesis consists of 5 randomised controlled trials and 1 qualitative interview study. Study 1 assessed the impact of generalised visual imagery of student's perceptions of their moles in the context of skin cancer. Studies 2 and 3 examined the impact of different post operative dressings, which offered different visual information about the wound on patients' cognitions in the context of laparoscopic surgery. Study 4 assessed the impact of viewing the screen during a hysteroscopy procedure on patient outcomes. Study 6 explored the impact of viewing retinal images during screening for the effects of diabetes. Study 6 involved an exploration of how patients experienced seeing images of their retina. Results: The results of Study 1 indicated that generalised visual information about moles had no impact upon participants' outcomes. Studies 2 and 3 indicated that personally relevant visual information, in the form of post-operative dressings, altered patients' illness cognitions, mood, pain and recovery from laparoscopic surgery. Study 4 indicated that viewing hysteroscopy on a screen was detrimental for patients' mood, beliefs about treatment effectiveness and doctor-patient communication; however it also provided patients with reassurance and engaged them on an intellectual level. The findings of Study 5 indicated that viewing retinal images improved patients understanding about the link between diabetes and eye health but by the same token evoked defensive tactics and beliefs preventing patients taking control of their illness. Study 6 indicated that retinal images were beneficial in their facilitating role in doctor-patient communication and positively impacted upon patients' mood but also presented a challenge to the way patients evaluated the information conveyed by the images. Conclusions: The findings illustrated that generalised visual images have no effect on illness perceptions; however personalised, visual information has been identified as an important factor of the patient experience. The role of visual cues available in medical settings should be considered in clinical decisions due to their ability to affect patients' psychological wellbeing and recovery from surgery.