Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stuttering: an investigation into cerebral dominance for speech

Over the past decade research has suggested that stutterers have bilateral cerebral motor or auditory speech areas. Three typical adult stutterers showed normal unilateral left cerebral dominance for speech on the intracarotid sodium amylobarbitone (amytal) test, but one 'dysphatic' stutterer had bilateral cortical speech representation. The latter is a very rare finding in right handed individuals and presumably is a consequence of the head injury induced aphasia that preceded the onset of stuttering.
The α7 nicotinic ACh receptor agonist compound B and positive allosteric modulator PNU‐120596 both alleviate inflammatory hyperalgesia and cytokine release in the rat

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Agonists selective for the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor produce anti‐hyperalgesic effects in rodent models of inflammatory pain, via direct actions on spinal pain circuits and possibly via attenuated release of peripheral pro‐inflammatory mediators. Increasingly, allosteric modulation of ligand‐gated receptors is recognized as a potential strategy to obtain desired efficacy in the absence of the putative adverse effects associated with agonist activation.
Inhibitory role of phosphatidylinositol 4,5‐bisphosphate on TMEM16A‐encoded calcium‐activated chloride channels in rat pulmonary artery

Calcium‐activated chloride channels (CaCCs) are key depolarizing mechanisms that have an important role in vascular smooth muscle contraction. Here, we investigated whether these channels are regulated by phosphatidylinositol (4,5) bisphosphate [P(4,5)P2], a known regulator of various ion channels.
J‐refocused 1H PRESS DEPT for localized 13C MR Spectroscopy

Proton point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) localization has been combined with distortionless enhanced polarization transfer (DEPT) in multinuclear MRS to overcome the signal contamination problem in image‐selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS)‐combined DEPT, especially for lipid detection. However, homonuclear proton scalar couplings reduce the DEPT enhancement by modifying the spin coherence distribution under J modulation during proton PRESS localization. Herein, a J‐refocused proton PRESS‐localized DEPT sequence is presented to obtain simultaneously enhanced and localized signals from a large number of metabolites by in vivo 13C MRS. The suppression of J modulation during PRESS and the substantial recovery of signal enhancement by J‐refocused PRESS‐localized DEPT were demonstrated theoretically by product operator formalism, numerically by the spin density matrix simulations for different scalar coupling conditions, and experimentally with a glutamate phantom at various TEs, as well as a colza oil phantom. The application of the sequence for localized detection of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the calf bone marrow and skeletal muscle of healthy subjects yielded high signal enhancements simultaneously obtained for all components. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus on the volatilization behavior of heavy metals during sewage sludge thermal treatment

Chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus were selected as element donators to investigate their effect on the volatilization behavior of heavy metals in sludge sewage incineration. Principal component analysis indicated that the promotive effect on the volatilization of heavy metals was followed by chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus. This result was proved to be correct by total release of heavy metals in sewage sludge incineration using different element donators. The release of heavy metals was very chlorine dependent, especially cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). When chlorine content was in the range of 0.1–0.5wt%, the increase of the volatilization rate was 44.9% for Cd, 6.8% for Pb and 4.6% for Ni, respectively. Although sulfur contributed to the promotion of the volatilization of heavy metals, excess oxygen impaired the promotive effect of sulfur on the release of heavy metals from the condensed phase. For phosphorus, solidifying heavy metals was dominant. Energy analysis showed that metal chlorides and sulfides were prone to volatilize or to be decomposed at elevated temperature compared with sulfates and phosphates owing to low binding energy in absolute value (VLFA). It was the difference of binding energy that led to the different volatilization behavior of metal compounds in a high temperature, oxygen-enriched atmosphere.
Financial Crises & Debt Rigidities

This paper develops a dynamic general equilibrium model which includes nancial intermediation and endogenous nancial crises. Consistent with the data, nancial crises occur out of prolonged (credit) boom periods and are initiated by a moderate adverse shock. The mechanism which gives rise to boom-bust episodes around nancial crises is based on an interaction between the maturity mismatch of the nancial sector and an agency problem which results in procyclical lending. I show how to model these features in a tractable way, giving a realistic representation of the nancial sector’s balance sheet and its lending behavior. The paper provides empirical evidence on the behavior of the U.S. nancial sector’s market leverage which is (i) acyclical, (ii) rose mildly prior to the Great Recession, and (iii) increased sharply during the crisis; the model is consistent with these empirical facts. It also predicts and replicates the Great Recession, when confronted with a historical series of structural shocks. Finally, the framework is extended to include price rigidities, nominal debt contracts, and monetary policy. Within this version, I analyze the impact of monetary policy on nancial stability and show that a U-shaped pattern of the policy target rate is most likely to increase nancial instability.
Proteomic analysis of cholangiocarcinoma cell line

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a malignant tumor derived from bile duct epithelium, occurs with a higher incidence in tropical countries, such as Thailand. Distinguishing CCA from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of the liver often requires the use of histochemistry, so molecular markers for diagnosis and prognosis are still required. In this study, the two‐dimensional (2‐D) protein map of a Thai human bile duct epithelial carcinoma cell line (HuCCA‐1) has been compared to human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines (HepG2 and HCC‐S102) and a human breast epithelial cancer cell line (MCF‐7). Our results show that HuCCA‐1 expressed a unique pattern of proteins. Forty‐three major proteins were identified by matching to the map of MCF‐7, and by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight‐mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) and electrospray ionization‐tandem MS (ESI‐MS/MS). Cytokeratins CK8 and CK18 were overexpressed in both HuCCA‐1 and HCC, while CK7 and CK19 were only expressed in HuCCA‐1. Four specific proteins with MW/pI 57.2/5.21 (U1, vimentin), 42.2/6.20 (U2), 43.2/6.20 (U3, EF‐TU), and 42.2/6.40 (U4, unidentified) were absent from HepG2. U2 showed high expression in HuCCA‐1, while U1 and U4 showed high expression in HCC‐S102. U2 could be separated in 2 proteins, U2/1 (α‐enolase) and U2/2 (not identified) by using IPG pH 4–7. Galectin‐3 showed high expression level in HuCCA‐1 by 1‐DE immunodetection, and gave only one spot with MW 32.9 kDa and pI 8.29 on 2‐DE immunoblotting, Thus, certain proteins, namely CK7, CK19, U2/2 and galectin‐3, may be good markers useful for differential diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma compared to hepatocellular carcinoma.
FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH IN NIGERIA: A MULTIVARIATE APPROACH

Financial development is a multidimensional concept that constitutes a potentially important mechanism for long run growth in an economy. However, short-run gains at the expense of long-run growth coupled with various exogenous factors could have precipitated economic fluctuations in Nigeria. Therefore, efforts to moderate these fluctuations by successive federal authorities must have prompted them to adopt various economic policy measures including Stabilization Policy, 1981- 1983, Structural Adjustment Programe (SAP), 1986-1992; Medium Term Economic Strategy, 1993-1998 and the Economic Reforms 1999-2007, on the basis that such policy actions can engender economic growth in the long run. This was eventually the driving force behind various financial policy reforms in Nigeria. However, in spite of all these reforms, the associated problems that exist still include: inefficiency in the allocation of funds to the productive sectors, lack of long-dated funding and decline in domestic credit to the private sector. All these frustrate inclusive growth experience in the country. Therefore, the important issues of concern are: what level of financial development is required for growth to be inclusive? How can the economy create and support inclusive growth through the financial sector? Hence, the objective of the paper is to examine the impact of financial development on inclusive growth in Nigeria using a multivariate model (Bound testing approach), this study obtained new evidence for the finance-growth nexus in Nigeria.
Assessing the Fragility of Global Trade: The Impact of Localized Supply Shocks Using Network Analysis

Anecdotal evidence suggests the existence of specific choke points in the global trade network revealed especially after natural disasters (e.g. hard drive components and Thailand flooding, Japanese auto components post-Fukushima, etc.). Using a highly disaggregated international trade database we assess the spillover effects of supply shocks from the import of specific goods. Our goal is to identify inherent vulnerabilities arising from the composition of a countryâ€™s import basket and to propose effective mitigation policies. First, using network analysis tools we develop a methodology for evaluating and ranking the supply fragility of individual traded goods. Next, we create a country-level measure to determine each countryâ€™s supply shock vulnerability based on the composition of their individual import baskets. This measure evaluates the potential negative supply shock spillovers from the import of each good.
Living in a Retirement Village: Choice, Contracts, and Constraints

ABSTRACT Retirement village living is a growing housing option for older people. Research to date has focused primarily on the social milieu of the village with limited attention to the legal and financial obligations associated with this form of specialized seniors' housing. Using data from a survey of 312 Australian residents, this article suggests while residents place financial and legal obligations at the forefront when considering relocation and during residency, there is variability in professional advice and constraints on choices when needs and capacities change. The distinctive obligations associated with retirement village living require greater attention to ensure an informed lifestyle decision.
Intermittent Clonidine Regimen Abolishes Tolerance to Its Antihypertensive Effect: A Spectral Study

The development of tolerance to the antihypertensive effect of clonidine and related imidazolines is clinically recognized. Here, we employed a restricted daytime (8:30 AM until 4:30 PM) clonidine regimen to establish a model of sustained hypotension in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and myocardial contractility (dP/dtmax) were measured by radiotelemetry in pair-fed SHRs receiving liquid diets with or without clonidine (150 μg/kg per day) for 12 weeks. The cardiovascular autonomic control was assessed by power spectral analysis [fast Fourier transformations (FFT)] of hemodynamic variability. Clonidine had no effect on dP/dtmax and significantly decreased BP and HR during the 8 hour exposure periods throughout the study duration. BP returned to control levels during overnight periods, with no signs of rebound hypertension. FFT analysis of interbeat intervals (IBI) showed pronounced decreases and increases of spectral powers in low-frequency (IBI-LF, 0.20-0.75 Hz) and high-frequency (IBI-HF, 0.75-3 Hz) bands, respectively, in clonidine-treated rats. The IBILF/HF ratio was significantly reduced by clonidine, suggesting cardiac parasympathetic dominance. Clonidine also decreased the vasomotor sympathetic tone, as reflected by the reduced BP-LF spectral density. The sympathoinhibitory effect of clonidine is further confirmed by the significant reductions in urinary norepinephrine levels. Clonidine increased urine output during the 8 hour treatment period but not during the 24 hour period. Plasma and urine osmolality and electrolytes were not altered by clonidine. It is concluded that by adopting the limited-access paradigm, tolerance to the hypotensive and sympathoinhibitory actions of clonidine and, possibly, its side effects, could be minimized.
CONSERVATISM AND THE COST OF EQUITY CAPITAL: A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT APPROACH

Conservatism is a permanent phenomenon and issue in the accounting practice. It has been developing in two forms, ex ante and ex post, measured in various ways—the accruals, valuation model, and book-to-market measures. Prior studies document inconclusive findings on the association between conservatism and the cost of equity capital. These inconsistent findings motivate us to examine whether the various measures of conservatism have different effects on the relationship between conservatism and the cost of equity capital. We find that the accruals measure explains the relationship, while the valuation model and book-to-market measures do not. Our findings suggest that different measures of conservatism relate differently to different articulations. Researchers, therefore, should be cautious in interpreting the relationship between conservatism and the cost of equity capital. Keywords: ex ante and ex post conservatism, cost of equity capital, various measures of conservatism
THE STOCKHOLDER REVIEW COMMITTEE OF THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL COMPANY, 1828–1857: EVIDENCE OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL REPORTING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Canal companies were among the first enterprises to be organized in the corporate form and to require large amounts of capital. This paper examines the stockholder review committee of a 19th century corporation, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company (C&O), and discusses how the C&O used this corporate governance structure to monitor and improve financial management and operations. A major strength was the concern and dedication of the stockholders to the company, while a major weakness was the political control exerted by the State of Maryland. The paper provides an historical perspective on corporate governance in the 19th century. This research contributes to the literature by providing detailed workings and practices of a stockholder review committee. The paper documents corporate governance efforts in archival sources that provide an early example of accountability required in a corporate charter and the manner in which the stockholders carried out this responsibility.
Balance impairment in chronic antiepileptic drug users: A twin and sibling study

Purpose: Patients taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have an increased incidence of fractures. This study investigated chronic AED use and physical contributors to falls risk using an AED‐discordant, twin and sibling matched‐pair approach, and assessed clinically relevant subgroups: AED polytherapy; longer‐duration AED; and falls history.
Activation linearity and parallelism of the superficial quadriceps across the isometric intensity spectrum

The purpose of this study was to assess neuromuscular activation of the three superficial portions of the quadriceps femoris muscles during linearly increasing isometric contraction intensities. Thirty healthy volunteers were assessed for isometric electromyographic (EMG) activity of the vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoris (RF) muscles with the knee at 60° of flexion. For 5 s, subjects performed isometric contractions equivalent to 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, and 90% of the average of three maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), in random order. Full‐wave rectified and integrated EMG signals over the middle 3 s of each contraction were expressed as a percentage of the activity recorded during the three averaged MVCs. One sample t‐tests and 95% confidence intervals were calculated at each relative torque level. A two‐factor analysis of variance (muscle by intensity) with repeated measures was performed to evaluate parallel activation across the intensity levels. Activation linearity was assessed via regression analysis for each muscle. VM activation was shown to be significantly lower than expected at 20–70% MVC. VL and RF activations were significantly higher than expected at 10% MVC, and RF EMG was less than expected at 40–70% MVC. EMG of VM was shown to increase significantly more than VL and RF from 80% to 90% MVC. Significant linear and quadratic relations were also demonstrated for all three muscles. Parallel activation of the superficial quadriceps muscles occurred from low to moderate intensities, whereas convergence was noted at near maximal intensities. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 393–398, 2000
Catastrophe Predictors From Ensemble Decision-Tree Learning of Wide-Area Severity Indices

Catastrophe precursors are essential prerequisites for response-based remedial action schemes, at both the protective and the operator levels. In this paper, wide-area-severity indices (WASI) derived from PMU measurements serve as the basis for building fast catastrophe predictors using random-forest (RF) learning. Given the randomness in the ensemble of decision trees (DTs) stacked in the RF model, it can provide at the recall stage not only an early assessment of the stable/unstable status of an ongoing contingency but also a probability outcome which quantifies the confidence level of the decision. This methodology, which to the best of our knowledge is new to the dynamic security assessment (DSA) of power systems, is also very effective in evaluating the importance of and interaction among the various WASI input features. Our research unexpectedly showed that the ensemble of trees in the RF is very robust in the presence of small changes in the training data and generalize across widely different network dynamics. Thus, the same RF performed very well on a large database with more than 60 000 instances from a test system (10%) and an actual (90%) system combined. One such a general RF (with 210 trees) boosted the reliability of a 9-cycle catastrophe predictor to 99.9%, compared to only 70% when a single conventionally trained DT is used.
Divided Lives: A local case study exploring austerity and inequalities in mental health

Since 2010, successive UK governments have pursued policies of austerity that have been characterised by public spending and welfare cuts. There has been little research about the effects of these policies on mental health inequalities, in particular at the local level. This thesis addresses the gap in knowledge with a case study of Stockton-on-Tees, a local authority in the North East of England with high spatial and socioeconomic inequalities. A mixed methods approach has combined: a cross-sectional survey of inequalities in mental health and mental wellbeing between people from the most and least deprived areas; qualitative interviews with people experiencing mental health problems; and interviews with key stakeholders. This project is the first to include a quantitative exploration of local mental health inequalities and their determinants during the current period of austerity. The findings offer key insight into how the social conditions that people live in shape their mental health, and how austerity measures are having a damaging impact on the social landscape locally. The survey identifies a significant gap in mental health and well-being, with material and psychosocial factors underpinning this gap. The qualitative interviews then show how this gap is mirrored in the narratives and experiences of people from these contrasting neighbourhoods. Austerity measures are exacerbating inequalities in mental health by disproportionately impacting on those on the lowest incomes and in the most deprived areas, leading to increasing financial hardship and chronic stress. Services are being challenged with increasing demand, alongside fewer resources to deal with that rise in demand. The findings are discussed in relation to the continuing programme of cuts to social security and public spending in the UK, including avenues for further research and key recommendations for policy makers.
Role of Greater Occipital Nerve Blocks and Trigger Point Injections for Patients With Dizziness and Headache

Background:The trigeminocervical system is integral in cervicogenic headache. Cervicogenic headache frequently coexists with complaints of dizziness, tinnitus, nausea, imbalance, hearing complaints, and ear/eye pain. Controversy exists as to whether this constellation of symptoms may be cervically mediated. Objectives:To determine whether a wider spectrum of cervically mediated symptoms exist, and to investigate a potential role of greater occipital nerve blocks (GON) and trigger point injections (TPI) in these patients. Methods:Retrospective review of GON/TPI performed in a tertiary otoneurology/headache clinic from May 2006 to March 2007 for suspected cervically mediated symptoms. Data included chief complaint, secondary symptoms, response to injection, pre-GON/TPI posterior vertex sensation changes to pinprick, cervical spine examination, and response to vibration of cervical and suboccipital musculature. Results:Total number of 147 patients were included. Chief complaints in decreasing frequency: dizziness (93%), tinnitus (4%), headache (3%), and ear discomfort (0.7%). Overall symptoms in decreasing frequency: dizziness (97%), headache (88%), neck pain (63%), tinnitus (23%), and ear discomfort (22%). Improvements after GON/TPI: neck range of motion (71%), headache (57%), neck pain (52%), ear discomfort (47%), dizziness (46%), and tinnitus (30%). Dizziness responders had neck position asymmetries (84%), reproducible dizziness by cervical and suboccipital musculature vibration (75%), and preinjection posterior vertex sensory changes (60%). Conclusions:A wider spectrum of cervically mediated symptoms may exist by influence of trigeminocervical and vestibular circuitry through cervical afferent neuromodulation. Certain examination findings may help to predict benefit from GON/TPI.
Human capital, labour market outcomes, and horizontal inequality in Guatemala

Abstract With the second largest indigenous population by percentage in Latin America, Guatemala is an important case for understanding horizontal inequality and indigenous politics. This paper presents new analysis of survey data, allowing for consideration both of indigenous and ladino populations, as well as of ethno-linguistic diversity within the indigenous population. Our analysis illustrates both the depth and persistence of horizontal inequalities in educational and labour market outcomes, and a broad trend towards greater equality. Earnings gaps have been reduced by, among other factors, improved educational outcomes. Ethnic groups also show distinct patterns of wages and wage gaps, and there is evidence of ‘sticky floors’ affecting some groups more than others. Our findings suggest that the focus on the indigenous/non-indigenous divide found in much of the economic literature on Latin America obscures meaningful diversity within the indigenous population. We posit that further consideration of such within-group diversity has implications for broader theories of ethnic politics, and in particular for understanding the comparative weakness of indigenous political mobilisation in Guatemala.