Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aberrant Functional Organization within and between Resting-State Networks in AD

Altered functional characteristics have been reported in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD); nonetheless, comprehensive analyses of the resting-state networks (RSNs) are rare. This study combined multiple imaging modalities to investigate the functional and structural changes within each RSN and between RSNs in aMCI/AD patients. Eight RSNs were identified from functional MRI data from 35 AD, 18 aMCI and 21 normal control subjects using independent component analysis. We compared functional connectivity (FC) within each RSN and found decreased FC in the several cognitive-related RSNs in AD, including the bilateral precuneus of the precuneus network, the posterior cingulate cortex and left precuneus of the posterior default mode network (DMN), and the left superior parietal lobule of the left frontoparietal network (LFP). We further compared the grey matter volumes and amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations of these regions and found decreases in these measures in AD. Importantly, we found decreased inter-network connectivity between the visual network and the LFP and between the anterior and posterior DMNs in AD. All indices in aMCI patients were numerically between those of controls and AD patients. These results suggest that the brain networks supporting complex cognitive processes are specifically and progressively impaired over the course of AD, and the FC impairments are present not only within networks but also between networks.
What drives crowdfunding participation? The influence of personal and social traits

Purpose Crowdfunding has become a popular and achievable means of funding projects worldwide. The purpose of this study is to determine which personal and social traits can increase individuals’ intention to participate in crowdfunding. Design/methodology/approach This study examines innovativeness, attitudes toward helping others and interpersonal connectivity as determinants of consumers’ intention to participate in crowdfunding. Social identification with the crowdfunding community is proposed as a mediator in the model. Findings The results show that both social identification with the crowdfunding community and innovativeness have a positive effect on intention to participate. In addition, attitudes toward helping others and interpersonal connectivity indirectly affect intention to participate in crowdfunding through social identification with the crowdfunding community. Research limitations/implications This study analyzes a general audience of potential crowdfunders; therefore, the results identify just the indications for potential intentions to participate in crowdfunding activities. Practical implications Companies or fund-seekers currently using or expecting to use crowdfunding have to develop strategies focused on promoting social identification with the crowdfunding community. More effort should be devoted for developing consumers’ social relationships and ties within the crowdfunding community. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by clarifying the characteristics that potential crowdfunders should have to be more prone to participate in these types of projects.
Determination of Age-Dependent Reference Ranges for Coagulation Tests Performed Using Destiny Plus

Background In order to apply the right treatment for hemostatic disorders in pediatric patients, laboratory data should be interpreted with age-appropriate reference ranges. Objectives The purpose of this study was to determining age-dependent reference range values for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen tests, and D-dimer tests. Materials and Methods A total of 320 volunteers were included in the study with the following ages: 1 month - 1 year (n = 52), 2 - 5 years (n = 50), 6 - 10 years (n = 48), 11 - 17 years (n = 38), and 18 - 65 years (n = 132). Each volunteer completed a survey to exclude hemostatic system disorder. Using a nonparametric method, the lower and upper limits, including 95% distribution and 90% confidence intervals, were calculated. Results No statistically significant differences were found between PT and aPTT values in the groups consisting of children. Thus, the reference ranges were separated into child and adult age groups. PT and aPTT values were significantly higher in the children than in the adults. Fibrinogen values in the 6 - 10 age group and the adult age group were significantly higher than in the other groups. D-dimer levels were significantly lower in those aged 2 - 17; thus, a separate reference range was established. Conclusions These results support other findings related to developmental hemostasis, confirming that adult and pediatric age groups should be evaluated using different reference ranges.
Topographical and temporal specificity of human intraoperative optical intrinsic signals

THE goal of this study was to determine the topographical and temporal specificity of neuronal and vascular responses using an intraoperative optical technique (iOIS). The face, thumb, index, and middle fingers were stimulated individually to obtain separate maps of cortical activation. Peak optical responses provided unique, non-overlapping cortical brain maps. Non-peak signals were more dispersed and produced overlapping responses from different digits. Peak iOIS responses colocalized with electrocortical stimulation mapping and evoked potentials. Temporally, we observed statistically significant specificity corresponding to sequential cortical activation during early optical signals (500–1750 ms), but later perfusion responses were non-specific. To our knowledge, this is the first report of either topographical specificity in overlapping spatial patterns, and/or temporal specificity in early perfusion profiles. These results therefore may have significant implications for other perfusion dependent functional imaging techniques.
The Effect of Various Police Enforcement Actions on Violent Crime: Evidence From a Saturation Foot-Patrol Intervention

The current study tests the crime prevention effect of different police actions conducted during a foot-patrol saturation initiative in Newark, New Jersey. Police actions were categorized into two typologies: enforcement actions (i.e., arrests, quality of life summonses and field interrogations) and guardian actions (i.e., business checks, citizen contacts, bus checks, and taxi inspections). Logistic regression models tested the effect of enforcement and guardian actions on crime during daily (i.e., 24-hr) periods as well as the intervention’s operational (6:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.) and nonoperational (2:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) periods. Analyses were conducted twice, once for the Operation Impact target area and once for a surrounding catchment zone (to measure spatial displacement). Findings suggest that guardian actions had a greater crime prevention effect than enforcement actions on crime occurrence. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.
SPECTROPOLARIMETRIC OBSERVATIONS OF HERBIG AE/BE STARS. II. COMPARISON OF SPECTROPOLARIMETRIC SURVEYS: HAEBE, BE AND OTHER EMISSION-LINE STARS

The polarization of light across individual spectral lines contains information about the circumstellar environment on very small spatial scales. We have obtained a large number of high-precision, high-resolution spectropolarimetric observations of Herbig Ae/Be, Classical Be and other emission-line stars collected on 117 nights of observations with the Hi-Resolution Visible spectropolarimeter at a resolution of R = 13, 000 on the 3.67 m Advanced Electro-Optical System telescope. We also have many observations from the ESPaDOnS spectropolarimeter at a resolution of R = 68, 000 on the 3.6 m Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope. In roughly ∼2/3 of the so-called “windy” or “disky” Herbig Ae/Be stars, the detected Hα linear polarization varies from our typical detection threshold near 0.1% to over 2%. In all but one HAe/Be star, the detected polarization effect is not coincident with the Hα emission peak but is detected in and around the obvious absorptive part of the line profile. The qu-loops are dominated by the polarization in this absorptive region. In several stars, the polarization varies in time mostly in the absorptive component and is not necessarily tied to corresponding variations in intensity. This is a new result not seen at lower resolution. In the Be and emission-line stars, ten out of a sample of 30 show a typical broad depolarization effect but four of these ten show weaker effects only visible at high resolution. Another five of 30 show smaller amplitude, more complex signatures. Six stars of alternate classification showed large amplitude (1%–3%) absorptive polarization effects. These detections are largely inconsistent with the traditional disk-scattering and depolarization models.
Learners' Perceptions of Blended Learning and the Roles and Interaction of f2f and Online Learning.

The present study aims to probe into learners’ perceptions of blended learning in relation to the respective roles of face-to-face learning (f2f learning) and online learning as well as their interaction in the blended EFL contexts. Questionnaires were used in the study to examine the attitudes of 296 university students towards a blended English course learned at the university. The results showed that students were generally positive about blended learning and they also acknowledged the interdependencies between f2f learning and online learning in the blended English course. The two learning modes were also considered to play different roles in English learning. Participants thought that online learning was more advantageous to listening and f2f learning promoted the learning of world knowledge and helped to improve learners’ interests in learning English. The findings of the research shed light on how f2f and online learning interplay with each other in the blended learning context so that the learning environment can be better integrated for English learning.
A physically-based earthquake recurrence model for estimation of long-term earthquake probabilities

A physically-motivated model for earthquake recurrence based on the Brownian relaxation oscillator is introduced. The renewal process defining this point process model can be described by the steady rise of a state variable from the ground state to failure threshold as modulated by Brownian motion. Failure times in this model follow the Brownian passage time (BPT) distribution, which is specified by the mean time to failure, μ, and the aperiodicity of the mean, α (equivalent to the familiar coefficient of variation). Analysis of 37 series of recurrent earthquakes, M -0.7 to 9.2, suggests a provisional generic value of α = 0.5. For this value of α, the hazard function (instantaneous failure rate of survivors) exceeds the mean rate for times > μ⁄2, and is ∼∼2 ⁄ μ for all times > μ. Application of this model to the next M 6 earthquake on the San Andreas fault at Parkfield, California suggests that the annual probability of the earthquake is between 1:10 and 1:13.
THE PREVENTION OF ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS

Alcoholism is the most common psychiatric disorder. Epidemiological surveys carried out in our country (Dube et al., 1978; Lai and Singh, 1978; Mohan, 1981; Singh, 1936; Mathrubootham, 1989) reveal that 20 to 40% of subjects aged above 15 are '-'current users'' of alcohol and nearly 10% of them are regular or excessi ve users. We find 1520% of patients seeking admission in psychiatric facilities are fo ' alcohol related problems. Many of them give a history of being habituated to it for 5 years or over and show signs and symptoms of physical and psychosocial complications of alcoholism. It is also observed that for every patient receiving treatment for alcohol dependence in the department of psychiatry, there are 10 more patients in the same hospi tal in various other departments receiving treatment for alcohol related problems such as gastritis, hepatic dysfunction, injuries, organic brain syndrome and suicide attempt etc. Further, alcoholism causes psychosocial problems such as disruption in the family, fall in work efficiency and also contributes to accidents, suicides, crimes and violence. The extent of the individual, public health and social problems associated with "current users" of alcohol is extensive, far reaching and grave.
The evolving roles and controversies of radiotherapy in the treatment of glioblastoma

Numerous randomised controlled trials have demonstrated the benefit of radiation therapy in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and it has been the cornerstone of treatment for decades. The aims of this review are to (1) Briefly outline the historical studies which resulted in radiation being the current standard of care as used in the Stupp et al. trial (2) Discuss the evolving role of radiation therapy in the management of elderly patients (3) Review the current evidence and ongoing studies of radiation use in the recurrent/salvage setting and (4) Discuss the continuing controversies of volume delineation in the planning of radiation delivery.
Models of Vehicle Speeds Measurement with a Single Camera

The rapid development of hardware technology make it possible for computers or even micro-computers to handle the problem of traffic information gathering utilizing image/video processing and pattern recognition. In order to measure the speed of a vehicle, several models are proposed in this paper. Firstly, the background subtraction method with a proper background updating model is used to detect the moving vehicle, whose position in the image is then traced with the obtained distinct features. The real position of the vehicle in the world coordination system corresponding to the traced pixel position can then be calculated according to one of the two proposed imaging models in the paper. With the real distance and the time period between successive image frames obtained, the speed of a vehicle can then be calculated easily. The proposed models are used in an embedded traffic information gathering system and results show the convenience and the high accuracy of the proposed methods.
Multivariate Option Pricing Using Dynamic Copula Models

This paper examines the behavior of multivariate option prices in the presence of association between the underlying assets.Parametric families of copulas offering various alternatives to the normal dependence structure are used to model this association, which is explicitly assumed to vary over time as a function of the volatilities of the assets.These dynamic copula models are applied to better-of-two-markets and worse-of-two-markets options on the S&P500 and Nasdaq indexes.Results show that option prices implied by dynamic copula models differ substantially from prices implied by models that fix the dependence between the underlyings, particularly in times of high volatilities. Furthermore, the normal copula produces option prices that differ significantly from non-normal copula prices, irrespective of initial volatility levels.Within the class of non-normal copula families considered, option prices are robust with respect to the copula choice.
Reduced TRPC Channel Expression in Psoriatic Keratinocytes Is Associated with Impaired Differentiation and Enhanced Proliferation

Psoriasis is a characteristic inflammatory and scaly skin condition with typical histopathological features including increased proliferation and hampered differentiation of keratinocytes. The activation of innate and adaptive inflammatory cellular immune responses is considered to be the main trigger factor of the epidermal changes in psoriatic skin. However, the molecular players that are involved in enhanced proliferation and impaired differentiation of psoriatic keratinocytes are only partly understood. One important factor that regulates differentiation on the cellular level is Ca2+. In normal epidermis, a Ca2+ gradient exists that is disturbed in psoriatic plaques, favoring impaired keratinocyte proliferation. Several TRPC channels such as TRPC1, TRPC4, or TRPC6 are key proteins in the regulation of high [Ca2+]ex induced differentiation. Here, we investigated if TRPC channel function is impaired in psoriasis using calcium imaging, RT-PCR, western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining of skin biopsies. We demonstrated substantial defects in Ca2+ influx in psoriatic keratinocytes in response to high extracellular Ca2+ levels, associated with a downregulation of all TRPC channels investigated, including TRPC6 channels. As TRPC6 channel activation can partially overcome this Ca2+ entry defect, specific TRPC channel activators may be potential new drug candidates for the topical treatment of psoriasis.
A Distributed Sensor Network for Real-Time Acoustic Traffic Monitoring and Early Queue Detection

A novel sensor network configuration is introduced for traffic surveillance in Intelligent Transportation Systems. Distributed sensor nodes based on passive acoustic transducers are non intrusively/obtrusively deployed at motorway road-side to provide real-time traffic data collection for dynamic queue/jam detection. The system is capable to provide a complete real-time picture of traffic flow at unprecedented time/space scale. The infrastructure is based on a stand-alone, install-and-forget architecture, featuring an energy efficient protocol for sensor networking and providing connectivity to back-end computing environment via TCP/IP over UMTS. Extensive experimental demonstration is given for long term operation on a motorway test site.
Scalable and Efficient Multipath Routing: Complexity and Algorithms

A fundamental unsolved challenge in multipath routing is to provide disjoint end-to-end paths, each one satisfying certain operational goals (e.g., shortest possible), without overwhelming the data plane with prohibitive amount of forwarding state. In this paper, we study the problem of finding a pair of shortest disjoint paths that can be represented by only two forwarding table entries per destination. Building on prior work on minimum length redundant trees, we show that the underlying mathematical problem is NP-complete and we present heuristic algorithms that improve the known complexity bounds from cubic to the order of a single shortest path search. Finally, by extensive simulations we find that it is possible to very closely attain the absolute optimal path length with our algorithms (the gap is just 1-5%), eventually opening the door for wide-scale multipath routing deployments.
Multiwavelength observations of 1RXH J173523.7-354013: revealing an unusual bursting neutron star

On 2008 May 14, the Burst Alert Telescope onboard the Swift mission triggered on a typeI X-ray burst from the previously unclassified ROSAT object 1RXH J173523.7−354013, establishing the source as a neutron star X-ray binary. We report on X-ray, optical and nearinfrared observations of this system. The X-ray burst had a duration of ∼2 h and belongs to the class of rare, intermediately long type-I X-ray bursts. From the bolometric peak flux of ∼3.5 × 10 −8 erg cm −2 s −1 , we infer a source distance of D 9.5 kpc. Photometry of the field reveals an optical counterpart that declined from R = 15.9 during the X-ray burst to R = 18.9 thereafter. Analysis of post-burst Swift/X-ray Telescope observations as well as archival XMM– Newton and ROSAT data suggests that the system is persistent at a 0.5–10 keV luminosity of ∼2 × 10 35 (D/9.5 kpc) 2 erg s −1 . Optical and infrared photometry together with the detection of a narrow Hα emission line (full width at half maximum = 292 ± 9k m s −1 , equivalent width =− 9.0 ± 0.4 A) in the optical spectrum confirms that 1RXH J173523.7−354013 is a neutron star low-mass X-ray binary. The Hα emission demonstrates that the donor star is hydrogen rich, which effectively rules out that this system is an ultracompact X-ray binary.
Polyamines Are Required for Virulence in Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium

Sensing and responding to environmental cues is a fundamental characteristic of bacterial physiology and virulence. Here we identify polyamines as novel environmental signals essential for virulence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, a major intracellular pathogen and a model organism for studying typhoid fever. Central to its virulence are two major virulence loci Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 and 2 (SPI1 and SPI2). SPI1 promotes invasion of epithelial cells, whereas SPI2 enables S. Typhimurium to survive and proliferate within specialized compartments inside host cells. In this study, we show that an S. Typhimurium polyamine mutant is defective for invasion, intracellular survival, killing of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and systemic infection of the mouse model of typhoid fever. Virulence of the mutant could be restored by genetic complementation, and invasion and intracellular survival could, as well, be complemented by the addition of exogenous putrescine and spermidine to the bacterial cultures prior to infection. Interestingly, intracellular survival of the polyamine mutant was significantly enhanced above the wild type level by the addition of exogenous putrescine and spermidine to the bacterial cultures prior to infection, indicating that these polyamines function as an environmental signal that primes S. Typhimurium for intracellular survival. Accordingly, experiments addressed at elucidating the roles of these polyamines in infection revealed that expression of genes from both of the major virulence loci SPI1 and SPI2 responded to exogenous polyamines and was reduced in the polyamine mutant. Together our data demonstrate that putrescine and spermidine play a critical role in controlling virulence in S. Typhimurium most likely through stimulation of expression of essential virulence loci. Moreover, our data implicate these polyamines as key signals in S. Typhimurium virulence.
The Effects of Family-Friendly Policies and Workplace Social Support on Parenting Stress in Employed Mothers Working Nonstandard Hours

Abstract This study examines whether family-friendly policies (childcare leave, on-site childcare, and flexible working hours) and workplace social support (supervisor and coworker support) in South Korea are directly related to parenting stress among employed mothers with nonstandard work schedules. In addition, this study investigates the moderating role of family-supportive organization perceptions in the aforesaid associations. Data were collected from 223 employed mothers who have nonstandard work schedules with at least one or more children under the age of six. Results show that on-site childcare, flexible working hours, and supervisor support are negatively associated with parenting stress, whereas childcare leave is positively associated with parenting stress. Employed mothers with high family-supportive organization perceptions report low levels of parenting stress when they received high levels of supervisor support or did not take childcare leave. Additionally, employed mothers with low family-supportive organization perceptions report high levels of parenting stress when they did not use on-site childcare. Consequently, our findings indicate that employed mothers’ greater family-supportive organization perceptions are key factor reducing their parenting stress when they are limited to use family-friendly policies. Implications are discussed in terms of the importance of work-family intervention to the work-family balance among mothers working nonstandard hours.