Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The neural basis of age-related changes in motor imagery of gait: an fMRI study.

BACKGROUND Aging is often associated with modifications of gait. Recent studies have revealed a strong relationship between gait and executive functions in healthy and pathological aging. We hypothesized that modification of gait due to aging may be related to changes in frontal lobe function. METHODS Fourteen younger (27.0±3.6 years) and 14 older healthy adults (66.0±3.5 years) performed a motor imagery task of gait as well as a matched visual imagery task. Task difficulty was modulated to investigate differential activation for precise control of gait. Task performance was assessed by recording motor imagery latencies, eye movements, and electromyography during functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. RESULTS Our results showed that both healthy older and young adults recruited a network of brain regions comprising the bilateral supplementary motor cortex and primary motor cortex, right prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum, during motor imagery of gait. We observed an age-related increase in brain activity in the right supplementary motor area (BA6), the right orbitofrontal cortex (BA11), and the left dorsolateral frontal cortex (BA10). Activity in the left hippocampus was significantly modulated by task difficulty in the elderly participants. Executive functioning correlated with magnitude of increases in right primary motor cortex (BA4) during the motor imagery task. CONCLUSIONS Besides demonstrating a general overlap in brain regions recruited in young and older participants, this study shows age-related changes in cerebral activation during mental imagery of gait. Our results underscore the importance of executive function (dorsolateral frontal cortex) and spatial navigation or memory function (hippocampus) in gait control in elderly individuals.
The Optimal Monetary Instrument and the (Mis)Use of Causality Tests

This paper uses a New-Keynesian model with multiple monetary assets to show that if the choice of instrument is based solely on its propensity to predict macroeconomic targets, a central bank may choose an inferior policy instrument. We compare a standard interest rate rule to a k-percent rule for three alternative monetary aggregates determined within our model: the monetary base, the simple sum measure of money, and the Divisia measure. Welfare results are striking. While the interest rate dominates the other two monetary aggregate k-percent rules, the Divisia k-percent rule outperforms the interest rate rule. Next we study the ability of Granger Causality tests ? in the context of data generated from our model ? to correctly identify welfare improving instruments. All of the policy instruments considered, except for Divisia, Granger Cause both output and prices at extremely high levels of significance. Divisia fails to Granger Cause prices despite the Divisia rule stabilizing inflation better than these alternative policy instruments. The causality results are robust to using a popular version of the Sims Causality test for which we show standard asymptotics remain valid when the variables are integrated, as in our case.
Microbial biofilms in osteomyelitis of the jaw and osteonecrosis of the jaw secondary to bisphosphonate therapy.

BACKGROUND The authors report their observations with respect to microbial biofilms in osteomyelitis of the jaw (OMJ), compare these findings with those for osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) secondary to bisphosphonate therapy and discuss recent findings that the pathogenesis of ONJ may represent a biofilm-mediated infectious disease in the context of bisphosphonate therapy. METHODS In 2004, a program was established at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, to evaluate, treat and monitor patients who have OMJ and ONJ. Twenty people from this cohort of study patients who were scheduled to undergo surgical debridement or sequestrectomy and who met the authors' inclusion criteria gave informed consent for the study. The authors examined bone samples histopathologically and via scanning electron microscopy, a technique applicable to biofilm characterization. RESULTS Specimens from all patients with OMJ and ONJ exhibited large surface areas of bone occluded with well-developed biofilms comprising microbial organisms embedded in an extracellular polymeric substance. Actinomyces predominated in OMJ cases, whereas ONJ cases represented more diverse bacterial organisms in addition to fungal organisms not seen in OMJ. The authors observed resorption pits, septic clots, putative nanowires and host inflammatory cells in all specimens. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study support a role for microbial biofilms in both disease processes. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Microbial biofilms are a potential target for therapy that includes antibiofilm modalities in the treatment and prevention of OMJ and ONJ.
From revolution to reform and back: EU-Security sector reform in Ukraine

ABSTRACT Security Sector Reform (SSR) is an important element of the EU’s external intervention toolkit. In an increasingly uncertain global security environment, the EU has currently stepped up its SSR endeavours. However, success of these efforts largely depends on the EU’s capabilities in navigating complex context-specific challenges. In particular the EU needs to be able to simultaneously address the functional and normative-societal imperatives that underpin SSR. This article considers the case of the EU’s ongoing SSR mission to Ukraine – the European Union Advisory Mission (EUAM). It asks, what are the unique context-specific challenges faced by EUAM in Ukraine? How do these challenges influence the EU’s ability to satisfy both the normative-societal imperative of SSR through the EUAM? This article mainly relies on secondary data, and applies a “Whole of Society” approach to conflict prevention and peacebuilding (WOS). Amidst a situation of ongoing multiple armed conflicts and EU-Russian relations of mutual dependence, a key finding is that the mandate of the mission has become more narrow and exclusive by sacrificing vertical coherence and the normative-societal imperative. We recommend EUAM adopt a more “revolutionary” approach to SSR, by adhering to key SSR normative principles so that the mission can overcome the challenges of the unique reform environment of Ukriane. This will also make it able to contribute more meaningfully to the wider reform process in an effective and sustainable manner.
Distance-preserving vector space embedding for the closest string problem

The closest string problem is a core problem in computational biology with applications in other fields like coding theory. Many algorithms exist to solve this problem, but due to its inherent high computational complexity (typically NP-hard), it can only be solved efficiently by restricting the search space to a specific range of parameters. Often, the run-time of these algorithms is exponential in the maximum distance between strings, restricting these solutions to very small distances. Recently, a prototype embedding method has been proposed to solve the similar generalized median problem for arbitrary objects. In this approach, objects are transformed into vector space using prototype embedding. The problem is solved in vector space and afterwards inversely transformed back into original space. This method has been successfully applied to generalized median computation in several domains where the computational complexity is inherently high. In this work, we apply prototype embedding to the closest string problem. We show that different embedding methods can result in a very good and fast approximation of the closest string, independent of the maximum distance and other parameters.
An Investigation into the Influence of the HPE Curriculum on the Participation of Year 12 Students in Extra-Curricular Physical Activity

Schools are perceived as perfect settings for encouraging students to adopt the universally recommended levels of physical activity (PA) (Haerens et al., 2009). However, the learning area of health and physical education (HPE) -previously calledphysical education and sports (PES) has seen some radical reforms over the past 30 years. These reforms transformed the core objectives of PES, and the role of schools in promoting PA. The aim of this study is to examine the discrepancy between the essential role that is attributed to HPE in the promotion of active lifestyles (Ministry of Education, 2007) and the decreasing numbers of senior secondary school students participating in extra-curricular physical activities (ECPA) (New Zealand Secondary School Council, 2010; Adolescent Health Research Group, 2001, 2008, 2012). The relationship between what students do in HPE and what they carry over into their lifestyles is yet to be adequately investigated (Yelling et al., 2000.; Telema et al., 2005.; Shen et al., 2007; Haerens et al., 2009; Walhead et al., 20010;). Findings from this study could contribute to broadening the debate amongst both academics and practitioners about the relationship between HPE and ECPA and to enhancing their interventions. Mixed research methods were used to collect data for this study. First a survey was conducted to gather demographic information about 162 year 12 students from five different high schools. This was followed by interviewing four individual students, four groups of students, and four heads of HPE departments about their perceptions of the 2007 HPE curriculum (2007 HPEC). Findings from this study indicate that it is very difficult to measure whether the core objective of leading students into active lifestyles is achieved or not. More research is needed into the reasons why students pursue PA in New Zealand and how it is possible to maintain their participation at the health recommended levels.
Description of the thyroid hormone resistance syndrome illustrated by such a case, which had two different carcinomas and was mistreated with iodine-131.

OBJECTIVE Hyperthyroidism with increased serum thyroid hormones and also increased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is described as the resistance thyroid hormone (RTH) syndrome. This syndrome may be due to various factors including tumors. We describe the different types of RTH syndrome and mention that this syndrome may be misdiagnosed and mistreated. To illustrate the RTH syndrome we describe such a case which also had two different carcinomas. This case was treated with anti-thyroid drugs, triiodothyroacetic acid and iodine-131 (¹³¹I). In the following 5.5 years after ¹³¹I treatment, TSH progressively increased and was not suppressed by normal doses of L-thyroxine (L-T4). A thyroid nodule was diagnosed as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was diagnosed in the nasal septum. Under L-T4 replacement treatment and after ablation of both carcinomas, TSH returned to normal. Small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas accompanied with PTC, are extremely rare causes of RTH. CONCLUSION A description of the resistance to thyroid hormone syndrome is presented and this syndrome is illustrated by a referring case which could be of a selective pituitary type or due to the neuroendocrine tumor.
Bitcoin: Medium of Exchange or Speculative Assets?

Bitcoin is defined as digital money within a decentralized peer-to-peer payment network. It is a hybrid between fiat currency and commodity currency without intrinsic value and independent of any government or monetary authority. This paper analyses the question of whether Bitcoin is a medium of exchange or an asset and more specifically, what is its current usage and what usage will prevail in the future given its characteristics. We analyse the statistical properties of Bitcoin and find that it is uncorrelated with traditional asset classes such as stocks, bonds and commodities both in normal times and in periods of financial turmoil. The analysis of transaction data of Bitcoin accounts shows that Bitcoins are mainly used as a speculative investment and not as an alternative currency and medium of exchange.
Fair Value Indexation: A Holistic Factor Approach to Asset Pricing, Smart-Beta Value Premium 2.0

Empirical literature on value and growth style investing finds value style investing to be a favorable long-term investment strategy. But the value premium, as explained by Basu [1977] and Fama and French [1992], has been subject to important criticism. For example, Peters [1991], Estrada [2005], and Penman and Reggiani [2013a] argued that value and growth investment strategies should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. Their contention further earns credibility when academics fail to explain the value premium in value stocks. In this article, the authors argue that the value premium puzzle is a result of the lack of a valid asset pricing model. They show that that the key problem that lies behind the value premium puzzle is related to standard risk measures and thus related to the discount rate. They further show that investment style biases can be avoided by estimating a fair value that not only considers economic size metrics, but also controls for individual stocks’ heterogeneous risk and reward characteristics independent from market price. The authors introduce fair value indexation, designed to avoid systematic biases not just in capitalization-weighted indexes but also in traditional style and fundamentally weighted indexes, while delivering improved long-term risk adjusted returns of very similar liquidity and capacity as capitalization-weighted equity market indexes.
Clinical and biochemical variability of congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency. A study of 25 patients.

Twenty five patients (10 males and 15 females) aged 0-23 yr with congenital adrenal hyperplasis due to 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency were studied. They were divided into 13 classic (group A), and 12 mild (group B) patients. The patients of group A were diagnosed at a younger age and had more severe clinical symptoms (ambiguous genitalia in girls, pseudoprecocious puberty in boys). Two had neonatal salt wasting before treatment, and one gynecomastia. Seven had moderate to severe hypertension. Their mean 3 alpha,17,21-trihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one (THS) and 3 alpha, 21-dihydroxy-5 beta-pregnane-11,20-dione (THDOC) excretion was 14.2 +/- 4.1 and 7.2 +/- 4.2 mg/m2 . day, respectively. The patients of group B had mostly late onset of symptoms (hirsutism, amenorrhea in girls, pseudoprecocious puberty in boys, tall stature, and advanced bone age in both sexes). One boy had bilateral cryptorchidism. Four had moderate hypertension. In seven patients, THS (5.3 +/- 2.3 mg/m2 . day) and THDOC (3.9 +/- 0.5 mg/m2 . day) responded to ACTH. In five, only THS (4.3 +/- 1.1 mg/m2 . day) responded, but THDOC remained undetectable. It is concluded that the clinical and biochemical expression of 11 beta-hydroxylase deficiency is variable, that hypertension in not directly related to deoxycorticosterone, and that, regardless of the intensity of the defect, there are patients in whom the 11 beta-hydroxylation of 17 alpha-hydroxylated steroids only is impaired, and others in whom both the conversion of 17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione and deoxycorticosterone are reduced.
Effect of Ice Bag Application to Femoral Region on Pain in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Aims The aim of this study is to determine the pain reduction effectiveness of ice bag applications to the femoral region in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Material and Methods A randomized controlled trial with repeated measures and two-group design. The study was completed with a total of 104 patients who met the inclusion criteria: 52 each in the experimental group and the control group. The pain experienced by the patients was evaluated before and during removal and again while the nurse applied pressure on the catheter site after removal. The NRS scores were identified as NRS1, NRS2, and NRS3 for the three assessment, respectively. Results The NRS1 score was similar between the two groups. It increased at the 2nd measurement, and a statistically significant difference was determined between the two groups (4.0 (3.0-4.0) in the experimental group and 6.0 (4.0-7.0) in the control group) (p < 0.001). Conclusions The results of the study revealed that ice bag application to femoral region was effective in reducing pain induced by femoral catheter removal in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Local ice bag application may therefore be recommended as a nursing intervention for pain control in such cases.
Candidaemia in an Irish tertiary referral hospital: epidemiology and prognostic factors

There were two parts to this study. Part 1 evaluated the epidemiology of Candida bloodstream isolates within the Southern Health Board (SHB) of Ireland from 1992 to 2003 by retrospective surveillance of all such isolates of patients reported from SHB hospitals to our laboratory database during that period. Part 2 reviewed candidaemia cases occurring in Cork University Hospital (CUH) from 1999 to 2003 using surveillance of all positive blood culture isolates in CUH microbiology laboratory during the 5‐year period. In part 1, 250 Candida bloodstream isolates were reported in the SHB over 12 years. There was a pattern of decreasing percentage of C. albicans with time. Whereas in part 2, 63 cases of candidaemia were identified in CUH from 1999 to 2003. Candida albicans constituted 50% of all isolates, while C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata accounted for 21.2% and 18.2% respectively. Average annual incidence rate was 0.48 episodes/1000 admissions and 0.70 episodes/10 000 patient‐days. Vascular catheters were the commonest source of candidaemia (61.9%) followed by the urinary tract (12.7%). Risk factors included exposure to multiple antibiotics (75%); central vascular catheterization (73%); multiple colonization sites (71%); severe gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction (54%) and acute renal failure (43%). Crude 7‐day and 30‐day mortality rates were 20.6% and 39.7% respectively. Logistic regression multivariate analysis identified the following to be independent predictors for mortality: age ≥65 years [odds ratio (OR) 7.2, P = 0.013]; severe GI dysfunction (OR 10.6, P = 0.01); acute renal failure (OR 7.6, P = 0.022); recent/concurrent bacteraemia (OR 5.2, P = 0.042); endotracheal intubation (OR 7.7, P = 0.014); while major surgery was associated with a better prognosis (OR 0.05, P = 0.002). Appropriate antifungal treatment was also found to be associated with survival (Fisher's exact test, P < 0.001). The epidemiology of Candida bloodstream isolates within our health board had changed over the years. Incidence and mortality of candidaemia were relatively high in our hospital. Dysfunction of major organ systems and recent bacteraemia were found to predict mortality.
The Academic Writing Experience of Jordanian Postgraduate Students at a University in Malaysia

Writing in English for academic purpose is a difficult task for many Jordanian postgraduate students (JPS) as English is a foreign language to them. This study aimed to explore academic writing problems encountered by JPS at a Malaysian university and to investigate how they address the problems. Employing a case study approach, a total of 182 online questionnaires were administered via email to registered JPS at UniSZA to which 90 responses were received. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 of the respondents to get further clarification of the questionnaire data and to gain rich insights into the phenomenon being investigated. The findings reveal that JPS faced several problems such as lack of vocabulary, difficulties in expressing the ideas, organizing the sentences and creating paragraphs, paraphrasing, the inability to build critical discussions and ideas, erroneous grammar, spellings, weak referencing and difficulty in finding the article/journal for literature review. In order to address these problems, they acquire help from their classmates, seniors, teaching faculties, participate in educational forums, workshops and lectures, attend paid tuition classes, translate Arabic to English, subscribe to journals and magazines and used online resources. The JPS recommend the provision of extensive language support at the university, regular lectures and workshops on improving academic writing and availability of language enrichment centre at the university to aid JPS to resolve their problems related to academic writing.
Guided bone regeneration and abutment connection augment the buccal soft tissue contour: 3‐year results of a prospective comparative clinical study

AIM To test whether implant placement with simultaneous guided bone regeneration (GBR) differs from implant placement without GBR regarding the change in marginal mucosal contour. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 28 patients, single implants were placed >4 months after tooth extraction. Eighteen implants were completely surrounded by native bone, and no bone augmentation was performed. At 10 implant sites, bone defects and thin bone plates were grafted with deproteinized bovine-derived bone mineral and covered with collagen membrane. Impressions were taken prior to implant placement (baseline), at 3 months before abutment connection, at 6 months immediately after crown insertion, at 1 year, and at 3 years. Models were optically scanned and 3D images were superimposed for the evaluation of mucosal contour changes at the mid-buccal aspect. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test was applied to detect differences. RESULTS From baseline to 6 months, horizontal contour change at the level 1 and 2 mm apical to the mucosal margin measured 0.65 ± 0.74 mm and 0.55 ± 0.56 mm at sites without GBR, and 1.92 ± 0.87 mm and 1.76 ± 0.70 mm at sites with GBR (P < 0.05). In the period from baseline to 1 year, the corresponding values amounted to 0.81 ± 0.67 mm and 0.60 ± 0.55 mm in the group without GBR, and to 1.81 ± 0.86 mm and 1.37 ± 0.62 mm in the group with GBR (P < 0.05). From baseline to 6 months, mucosal margin moved 0.16 ± 0.49 mm in the coronal direction in the group without GBR and 0.82 ± 0.65 mm in the group with GBR (P < 0.05). In the period from baseline to 1 year, vertical change of mucosal margin amounted to 0.64 ± 0.54 mm in the group without GBR and to 1.17 ± 0.53 mm in the GBR group (P < 0.05). From 1 to 3 years, the mucosal contours remained stable. CONCLUSIONS Implant placement with simultaneous GBR resulted in more gain of buccal soft tissue contour in comparison with implant placement without GBR. Abutment connection increased the contour of the marginal mucosa at the augmented and the nonaugmented sites. GBR procedure contributed more to the contour gain than did the abutment connection. The augmented and the nonaugmented ridges exhibited stable peri-implant mucosal contour over a 3-year period.