Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MESTRADO INTEGRADO EM MEDICINA

Given the increase in life expectancy and consequently in the number of aged inhabitants, concerns about memory and cognitive decline are becoming increasingly more relevant in the global health context. However, memory is certainly one of the most complex processes in our brain and, for that reason, the effects of different factors on the development and on the vicissitudes of the memory processes are still hardly known. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the existing literature associated with the prevention of age-related cognitive decline, giving emphasis on the aging processes that influence the memory systems and mechanisms, on the existing neurocognitive theories about the maintenance and improvement of the memory throughout the aging and, especially, on the most discussed preventive interventions that may play an important role in the development of age-related memory impairment. The brain and its memory are continuous, dynamic and factor-dependent processes that suffer significant changes throughout an individual’s lifespan, which influence their performance at older ages. For that reason, there is believed that maintaining the integrity and plasticity of the brain could be the crucial determinant for the preservation of memory and cognition. It is therefore becoming gradually more evident that a full lifestyle nutrition and physical activity plan, with adaptations based on the individual’s impairments and specificities, together with some punctual particular interventions like cognitive training and rehabilitation, combined or not with non-invasive brain stimulation, represents the present and the future of prevention, and even treatment, in the cognitive decline field. However, further research is required in order to substantiate the true effectiveness of these interventions and to provide detailed strategies of how to correctly apply them as concrete measures in the prevention of age-related memory decline.
Establishing a Transformative Learning Framework for Promoting Organic Farming in Northern Vietnam: A Case Study on Organic Tea Production in Thai Nguyen Province

Tea is one of the important cash crops for smallholder farmers in Thai Nguyen, a northern province of Vietnam. The increasing demands for food safety and environmental sustainability have led to development of organic tea farming in the area. However, due to a number of challenges such as inappropriate awareness and vision amongst tea growers, small-scale production, poor resources, limited market information and linkages, and costly third party certification of organic products,… only a few farmers pursue organic production practice. This paper provides an in-depth context analysis using SWOT mapping tool and formulates a transformative learning framework with detailed process steps as a guide for developers and practitioners to facilitate successful transformation of their mindset and thus appropriate actions among conventional and/or non-organic farmers towards environmentally sound practices. Critical reflection, shared vision and enhanced communication among stakeholders are needed. Likewise, the paper also emphasizes holistic and participatory approaches in understanding the context, defining real issues, engagement of stakeholders and importance of true participation and multi-stakeholder collaboration for sustainable outcomes. Besides, raising awareness and facilitating readiness for change among nonorganic tea growers should not be separated from other interventions by the government and other stakeholders.
Integration of Long Acting and Permanent Contraceptive Methods with an ART program was poor In Tigray Region,Ethiopia

Background: Use of contraceptive methods is one of the efficacious interventions that help to prevent HIV transmission and unintended pregnancies among HIV positive women. However, contraceptive utilization, in general, and Long Acting and Permanent Contraceptive (LAPM) methods, in particular, and its integration with HIV treatment services is not well understood in poor-resource settings. The study aimed to assess the level of integration of LAPM with ART, LAPM utilization and associated factors among HIV positive women in public hospitals of Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 among 343 HIV positive married women selected using two-stage cluster sampling.
Choosing between Methodologies: An Inquiry into English Learning Processes in a Taiwanese Indigenous School.

Traditional, cognitive-oriented theories of English language acquisition tend to employ experimental modes of inquiry and neglect social, cultural and historical contexts. In this paper, I review the theoretical debate over methodology by examining ontological, epistemological and methodological controversies around cognitive-oriented theories. I also present a socio-cultural research study on English language learning in a Taiwanese indigenous school as an example for discussion. Findings suggest that non-experimental modes of inquiry that employ multiple methods for multi-layered analysis are productive and appropriate. Socio-cultural theoretical lenses and methodological instruments may liberate research in English language studies and broaden our understanding of English learning and teaching.
Inaccurate Dependence Measures in Credit Models for Non-Normal Variables

Due to the assumption of normally distributed variables, conventional credit models have been criticized for not being able to identify possible extreme losses. As an alternative, some methods have incorporated non-normal variables in the estimation of the probability of default in loan portfolios and credit derivatives. One of the objectives of these methods is to express heavy tails of the distributions (which tends to better represent the reality of the credit market since economic and financial variables typically present more extreme occurrences than indicated by the normal distribution). However, as this paper shows, the derivation of some of these alternative models does not comply with all the assumptions implicit in the formula used to develop the models and this mistake results in misleading dependence measures. Our theoretical arguments are supported by simulations which show that, in terms of the calculation of regulatory capital for financial institutions, models for non-normal variables overestimate losses and this bias is substantial for high levels of confidence (up to 13 times higher than the losses observed in the simulated credit portfolio). We present some ideas to start solving this problem although the estimation of the dependence parameter is still an open question.
Diel and Seasonal Patterns in Continuously Monitored Water Quality at Fixed Sites in Two Adjacent Embayments of the Tidal Freshwater Potomac River

Water quality patterns in two adjacent embayments of the tidal freshwater Potomac River were compared using continuously monitored data. The two embayments, the tidal Occoquan and Gunston Cove, are shallow embayments fed by tributaries which vary in their watershed attributes. The tidal Occoquan has a larger watershed and a dam just upstream from the head of tide whereas Gunston Cove has a large wastewater treatment plant just upstream of the embayment. Water temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen (DO), and pH were collected at 15 min intervals at representative locations in the two embayments from April through November of 2012. Mean daily values of water quality variables exhibited similar seasonal patterns at both sites which were related to seasonal patterns of forcing functions such as temperature, light and freshwater inflows. Three two-week intervals were examined in great detail. During a mid-summer period of stable conditions and low flow, both embayments exhibited strong and consistent diel (light cycle-based) periodicity in temperature, DO, and pH. Specific conductance exhibited semi-diel (tidal cycle-based) periodicity. The two other two-week intervals were punctuated by substantial flow events which resulted in major changes in daily mean values and disruptions to the typical diel or semi-diel cycles. The large rainfall event related to Hurricane Sandy caused a major disruption in diel and semi-diel cycles. Some cycles were quickly re-established and others took a week or more. The two embayments exhibited similar behavior in most aspects. Site-specific factors such as differences in the frequency and magnitude of tributary flow pulses and the presence of treated sewage discharge at Gunston Cove helped explain some of the differences observed between the two embayments.
Geospatial Technologies and the Management of Noxious Weeds in Agricultural and Rangelands Areas of Australia.

Exotic weeds pose a significant threat to primary production, biodiversity and conservation of Australian rangelands and agricultural areas. This paper describes research being conducted in Western Australia for the development of cost-effective tools for mapping and modelling the spatial distribution of weeds, and predict their likely spread on the landscape, using geospatial technologies like remote sensing, GIS and spatial modelling.
Personality assessment of offenders and mentally ill offenders

Background: Crime is a complex psychological, sociological and situational behaviour. Personality theories provide possible insights into the psychological aspects of crime. The primary assumption behind the personality theories is that crime and delinquency are related to the presence of some personality traits. Aims: To assess the personality dimensions of offenders, mentally ill offenders and to compare them with normal control population. Methods: A semi-structured interview consisting of Socio-demographic details, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) were used to assess the personality of offenders, mentally ill offenders and normal population. Results: Offenders with and without mental illness did not differ in their personality, but both the groups differed significantly with the personality of general population. The offenders were more impulsive compared to normal population in general and offenders with mental illness were scoring high on total BIS-11 score and on non-planning impulsivity score compared to normal offenders. Conclusion: Personality traits can predict the person’s vulnerability to commit an offence. Key word: Personality, Offenders, Mentally ill offenders, Normal population. Date of first submission: 7/2/14 Date of initial decision: 2/4/14 Date of acceptance: 16/5/14
Modelling resistive wall modes in ITER with self-consistent inclusion of drift kinetic resonances

We investigate drift kinetic effects on the resistive wall mode (RWM) stability in ITER plasmas, due to the mode resonance with magnetic precession drifts and/or bounce motion of bulk plasma thermal particles. A toroidal drift kinetic model is self-consistently incorporated into the MHD formulation. Self-consistent simulations using the hybrid kinetic-MHD code MARS-K (Y.Q. Liu et al 2008 Phys. Plasmas 15 112503) predict a parameter space for ITER steady-state plasmas, where the RWM is fully stabilized by the drift kinetic effects combined with the toroidal plasma flow. A wider stable parameter space is predicted by the perturbative approach based on the ideal kink mode or the fluid RWM eigenfunction. The difference is attributed primarily to the self-consistent determination of the mode eigenvalue in the non-perturbative approach.
Originalarbeit Dopamine and intertemporal choice in humans

The dopamine (DA) system has been implicated in the mediation of cost/benefi t evaluations involved in the intertemporal choices between immediate and delayed rewards. This involvement was further investigated in two studies of normal participants that had to decide between a smaller immediate and a larger delayed reward in a series of 27 decisions.In study 1 the dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist pramipexole or placebo were administered in a double-blind cross-over protocol prior to the decisions. In study 2 the same experiment was conducted in two groups of normal participants that were homozygous for either the 7repeat or the 4 repeat variant of the exon III polymorphism of the Dopamine D4 receptor gene. Dopaminergic involvement is highlighted by the results.
The enlargement of the euro area: differences in relative inflation

This paper investigates the structural determinants of relative inflation (i.e. the inflation of non‐tradables vs tradables) in the context of overall inflation differentials in the EU. The analysis is based on the Bergstrand theoretical model. This framework incorporates three alternative hypotheses of relative inflation (Harrod–Balassa–Samuelson, relative factors endowment, and demand effects). Due to the lack of reliable data on capital stocks only a curtailed version of the model is tested here empirically. The various specifications of the model are estimated for the majority of EU countries, using the Pedroni panel group mean FMOLS estimator. In general, relative labour productivity and demand factors turn out to be significant and correctly signed, though evidence in favour of the latter effect seems to be less robust. In addition, differences in the determination of relative prices between the new and old EU Member States are found. They seem to be consistent with theoretical considerations and the transition phenomenon. The estimation results are very sensitive to the definition of non‐tradables. The paper also discusses policy implications for overall inflation, stemming from relative price models. It questions the usefulness of relative inflation models for the analysis of overall inflation differentials and practical policy decisions.
Competition as a Discovery Procedure: Schumpeter Meets Hayek in a Model of Innovation

I incorporate an insight of Friedrich Hayek—that competition allows a thousand flowers to bloom, and discovers the best among them—into a model of Schumpeterian innovation. Firms face uncertainty about the optimal direction of innovation, so more innovations implies a higher expected value of the “best” innovation. The model accounts for two seemingly contradictory relationships reported in recent empirical studies—a positive relationship between competition and industry-level productivity growth, and an inverted-U relationship between competition and firm-level innovation. Notwithstanding the positive relationship between competition and growth, I find antitrust policy reduces industry-level growth. (JEL B52, D83, G34, K21, L11, L12, O31)
Directions in study abroad motivational research 留学と言語学習の動機における研究とその傾向

As the volume of research on study abroad (SA) expands, the task of evaluating the growing number of studies becomes ever more arduous. A wide variety of methods are employed to see how SA might impact foreign language learning motivation. This paper highlights some recent SA research in English on EFL motivation. Three studies that I consider exemplary are contrasted with three that are problematic in some respects. The rationale for this is twofold. One goal is to critically assess some of the methodologies employed in SA research; another is to examine some divergent claims made about SA on language learning motivation. According to Richards (2009, p. 148) the bulk of current social science research is informed by several competing philosophical frameworks. One framework is positivistic and purports that objective reality can be quantified and measured. Strong claims are often made about precision, universality, and objectivity. More recently, post-positivists have hedged such claims while endorsing the same stringent methodological procedures. Most quantitative research is informed by positivist or post-positivist frameworks. Another competing research paradigm comes from constructivism. Constructivists contend that knowledge is locally situated and socially co-constructed. This paradigm is suited to a wide range of qualitative research procedures and its proponents tend to renounce assertions of “universal knowledge”. Piaget (1964), von Glasersfeld (1987), and Papert (1994) are but a few of the leading constructivists. Still another framework informing is critical theory. Broadly speaking, this attempts to examine the social and historical forces shaping the accounts of many phenomena. Critical theorists point out that researchers influence observed outcomes and that subjectivity is inherent in all inquiry. Quantitative research is, from this standpoint, but one of many possible ways of 本論では、言語学習のモチベーションと留学との動機に関する研究について、モデルとなるような論
Effect of Temperature and Clamping during Heat Treatment on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Okan ( Cylicodiscus gabunensis [ Taub . ] Harms )

The objective was to evaluate the effect of temperature and clamping method during heat treatment on the properties of high density Okan wood. Heat treatment of sapwood and heartwood was conducted using an electric oven with a programmable controller at 160 °C, 180 °C, 200 °C, and 220 °C for 2 h. Physical and mechanical properties were compared before and after the heat treatment process. The color change (E*), weight loss, and volume shrinkage increased with increasing temperature, whereas the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) and water absorption (WA) decreased in both types of wood. The wood density was not affected by temperature, and the magnitude of E* in sapwood was the highest, while the magnitude of weight loss, volume shrinkage, EMC, and WA in heartwood was higher than in sapwood. The clamping method affected E* in heartwood only, while the weight loss, volume shrinkage, EMC, and WA was affect in both types of wood. A significant reduction in the mechanical properties occurred after heat treatment at 200 °C and 220 °C. The reduction of MOR, MOE, and shear strength in heartwood was greater than in sapwood, while the compressive strength reduction in sapwood was the highest.
Prionic disease: evaluation of the risks involved in using products of bovine origin

Summary: A prion is a protein that is capable of self replication, thereby altering a cell's metabolism.It is responsible for a number of human and animal diseases (prionic diseases), all of which arealways lethal. These diseases have enormous variability in their incubation periods, ranging from afew months to forty years. Prions accumulate and destroy nerve cells, causing spongiformencephalopathy. We discuss the clinical picture, epidemiology, and historical background of prionicdiseases. The major focus of the discussion lies, however, on the theoretical possibility of iatrogenictransmission of prion infection due to topical formulations using ceramides (cerebrosides) or placen-ta of bovine origin, as well as the risk represented by some dermatological procedures such as skingrafts and collagen implants. Keywords: ceramides; dermatology; encephalopathy, bovine spongiform; prions. Lupi 7An bras Dermatol, Rio de Janeiro, 78(1):7-18, jan./fev. 2003. Educacao Medica Continuada / Continuing Medical Education
N ov 2 00 3 Cooperativity in Two-State Protein Folding Kinetics

We present a solvable model that predicts the folding kinetics of two-state proteins from their native structures. The model is based on conditional chain entropies. It assumes that folding processes are dominated by small-loop closure events that can be inferred from native structures. For CI2, the src SH3 domain, TNfn3, and protein L, the model reproduces two-state kinetics, and it predicts well the average Φ-values for secondary structures. The barrier to folding is the formation of predominantly local structures such as helices and hairpins, which are needed to bring nonlocal pairs of amino acids into contact.
Evaluation of spring-powered captive bolt guns for dispatch of kangaroo in-pouch 2 young 3

31 Context. During commercial harvesting or non-commercial kangaroo culling 32 programs, furred pouch young of shot females are required to be euthanased to 33 prevent suffering and because they would be unlikely to survive independently. 34 However, the current method (a single, forceful blow to the base of the skull) is 35 applied inconsistently by operators and perceived by the public to be inhumane. 36 Aims. To determine if an alternative method for dispatching pouch young— a spring37 operated captive bolt gun—is practical and effective at causing immediate 38 insensibility in kangaroo pouch young. 39 Methods. Trials of the spring-operated captive bolt guns were conducted first on the 40 heads of pouch young cadavers and then on live pouch young, during commercial 41 harvesting. Performance characteristic of the spring-operated guns were also 42 measured and compared with cartridge-powered devices. 43 Key results. The captive bolt guns caused insensibility in only 13 out of 21 trials on 44 live pouch young. This 62% success rate is significantly below the 95% minimum 45 acceptable threshold for captive bolt devices in domestic animal abattoirs. Failure to 46 stun was related to bolt placement, but other factors such as bolt velocity, bolt 47 diameter and skull properties such as density might have also contributed. Spring48 operated captive bolt guns delivered 20 times less kinetic energy when compared with 49 cartridge-powered devices. 50 Conclusions. Spring-operated captive bolt guns cannot be recommended as an 51 acceptable or humane method for dispatching kangaroo pouch young. 52 Implications. Captive bolts guns have potential as a practical alternative to blunt head 53 trauma that may standardise dispatch technique and reduce animal (and observer) 54 distress. However, operators must continue to use the existing prescribed dispatch 55 methods until cartridge-powered captive bolt guns have been trialled as an alternative 56 bolt propelling method. 57 58
The Earnout Structure Matters: Takeover Premia and Acquirers Gains in Earnout

In this article, based on both parametric and non-parametric methods, we provide a robust solution to the long-standing issue on how earnouts in corporate takeovers are structured and how their structure influences the takeover premia and the abnormal returns earned by acquirers. First, we quantify the effect of the terms of earnout contract (relative size and length) on the takeover premia. Second, we demonstrate how adverse selection considerations lead the merging firms to set the initial payment in an earnout financed deal at a level that is lower than, or equal to, the full deal payment in a comparable non-earnout financed deal. Lastly, we show that while acquirers in non-earnout financed deals experience negative abnormal returns from an increase in the takeover premia, this effect is neutralised in earnout financed deals.