Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential progression of brain atrophy in Parkinson's disease with and without visual hallucinations

Objective To determine the course of cognitive deficits and the regional progression of brain atrophy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) with and without visual hallucinations (VH). Methods The authors performed MRI and neuropsychological assessment at entry to the study and at follow-up (mean±SD=29.91±5.74 months) in a sample of initially non-demented 12 PD patients with VH, 14 PD patients without VH and 12 healthy controls (HC). Grey-matter changes over time were assessed by means of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and cognitive changes by an extensive neuropsychological battery. Results At follow-up, 75% of patients with VH developed dementia. The greatest decline was observed in verbal memory, semantic fluency, language comprehension and visuoperceptive functions. None of the patients without VH met criteria for dementia and did not show any worsening in cognitive functions over time. Patients with VH showed widespread limbic, paralimbic and neocortical grey-matter loss, whereas in the PD without VH group, grey-matter loss was restricted to a small region in the frontal cortex and cerebellum. The authors also found significant correlations between the changes in several cognitive functions and grey-matter loss over time in PD patients with VH. Conclusion The presence of VH in PD determines a different cognitive outcome and a different pattern of progressive brain atrophy. PD patients with VH, unlike PD without VH, frequently develop dementia and show a widespread atrophy involving limbic, paralimbic and neocortical areas.
10‐20‐30 training increases performance and lowers blood pressure and VEGF in runners

The present study examined the effect of training by the 10‐20‐30 concept on performance, blood pressure (BP), and skeletal muscle angiogenesis as well as the feasibility of completing high‐intensity interval training in local running communities. One hundred sixty recreational runners were divided into either a control group (CON; n = 28), or a 10‐20‐30 training group (10‐20‐30; n = 132) replacing two of three weekly training sessions with 10‐20‐30 training for 8 weeks and performance of a 5‐km run (5‐K) and BP was measured. VO2max was measured and resting muscle biopsies were taken in a subgroup of runners (n = 18). 10‐20‐30 improved 5‐K time (38 s) and lowered systolic BP (2 ± 1 mmHg). For hypertensive subjects in 10‐20‐30 (n = 30), systolic and diastolic BP was lowered by 5 ± 4 and 3 ± 2 mmHg, respectively, which was a greater reduction than in the non‐hypertensive subjects (n = 102). 10‐20‐30 increased VO2max but did not influence muscle fiber area, distribution or capillarization, whereas the expression of the pro‐angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was lowered by 22%. No changes were observed in CON. These results suggest that 10‐20‐30 training is an effective and easily implemented training intervention improving endurance performance, VO2max and lowering BP in recreational runners, but does not affect muscle morphology and reduces muscle VEGF.
The Relationships between Personal Values, Institutional Values and Affective Commitment (A Case of Graduate Students at a Faith-Based Institution in Indonesia)

"Objective – This research aimed at sketching personal values of graduate students at a faith-based institution in Indonesia. It also investigated the possible influence of these personal values and the students’ perceptions towards the values of their institution on their emotional attachment (affective commitment) to the institution. Methodology/Technique – A cross-sectional survey was employed as the primary method in the collection of the data. The fieldwork comprised the distribution of a self-administered questionnaire to potential respondents through direct contact. A convenience sampling was used to invite respondent participation. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed of which 143 were usable, representing an overall response rate of 53 %. Findings – Results derived from the research suggested that the students, in general, embraced religious and intellectual values in their personal life. These dominant values seemed to be congruous with the demands of academic life in a faithbased educational institution as well as the demand of business worlds in the future. Likewise, a high level of affective commitment was exhibited by the students. Findings of the research also showed perceived institutional and personal values of students were more strongly predictors of students’ affective commitment than either one alone. Novelty – There has been little research on the relationships between personal values, institutional values and affective commitment in the Indonesian higher education institution contexts. Thus, this research fills this gap. "
Gender, conscription and protection, and the war in Syria

The humanitarian ceasefire in parts of Homs, Syria, in February 2014 allowed for the evacuation of a long-besieged civilian population that had been increasingly without access to food, medical care and supplies since late 2013. While women, children and older men were allowed to leave the neighbourhood, more than 500 men between the ages of 15 and 55 were detained in the city for questioning and security screening.
Aplastic anemia secondary to propylthiouracil: A rare and life-threatening adverse effect

Background Propylthiouracil has been in use for more than half a century for the treatment of hyperthyroidism. While it is largely known to cause agranulocytosis, its association with aplastic anemia is rarely heard of. Our case will be the third in literature to suggest aplastic anemia as a manifestation of propylthiouracil, which unfortunately culminated in the death of the patient. Case A 67-year-old female, with recently diagnosed metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung, developed hyperthyroidism after being started on Nivolumab and Iplimumab. After she developed atrial fibrillation, she was started on propylthiouracil to control the thyroid activity. Soon after that, she was admitted with severe neutropenia, which progressed to pancytopenia confirmed as aplastic anemia on a bone marrow biopsy. Despite discontinuation of propylthiouracil and aggressive treatment, she developed septic shock and multi-organ failure, leading to her death. Conclusion Aplastic anemia has been sparingly reported as an extremely rare complication of propylthiouracil. Further adding to the ambiguity is the unknown etiology and lack of specific therapy for the complication when attributed to propylthiouracil. The disease can carry an extremely poor prognosis if untreated, as proven by our case. Due to the same reasons, we recommend that further investigations be done to elucidate the pathogenesis and assist with treatment of the disease when caused by propylthiouracil.
Heritability and familiality of neurological soft signs: evidence from healthy twins, patients with schizophrenia and non-psychotic first-degree relatives

Background. Neurological soft signs (NSS) have long been considered potential endophenotypes for schizophrenia. However, few studies have investigated the heritability and familiality of NSS. The present study examined the heritability and familiality of NSS in healthy twins and patient–relative pairs. Method. The abridged version of the Cambridge Neurological Inventory was administered to 267 pairs of monozygotic twins, 124 pairs of dizygotic twins, and 75 pairs of patients with schizophrenia and their non-psychotic first-degree relatives. Results. NSS were found to have moderate but significant heritability in the healthy twin sample. Moreover, patients with schizophrenia correlated closely with their first-degree relatives on NSS. Conclusions. Taken together, the findings provide evidence on the heritability and familiality of NSS in the Han Chinese population.
The politics behind social protection in Nepal

This article is a qualitative case study on the political dimensions of social protection reforms in post-conflict Nepal. The article examines vertical versus horizontal party structures and the political economy of support for different parties, and how this relates to their social protection policies to help unpack gaps in the literature and provide a deeper understanding of both the constraints and opportunities for reform. Drawing on key informant interviews conducted in Nepal between 2012 and 2014, the article describes the attitudes of members of the main Nepalese political parties towards social protection, and analyses the proposals on social protection within party manifestos. It discusses the role of social protection in democratisation as well as limitations towards constructing a democratic welfare state grounded in the kind of clientelistic and patronage party politics that continue to dominate the political landscape in Nepal today. The article is relevant to those in the ‘thinking and working politically’ aid movement and those working towards social protection reforms in clientelist states.
The determinants of private investment in a mining export economy. Peru: 1997-2017

Peru is an economy where about 60 percent of exports are mineral, of which copper, in turn, represents half. What is the weight of international factors and domestic factors in determining private investment in this mining export economy? In this paper, we identify the dominant influence of international conditions on the evolution of private investment in Peru, as well as the enormous individual weight of the price of exports in this evolution. In the period 1997-2017, external factors explained 54, 64 and 44 percent of the variance in the growth rate of total private investment, mining investment, and non-mining investment, respectively; while more than half of the weight of external factors was explained by the price of exports. On the other hand, internal factors explained 46, 36 and 56 percent of the variance in the growth rate of total private investment, mining investment. and non-mining investment; while about 40 percent of the weight of domestic factors was explained by public investment. These findings are important because they show the price of exports to be the main channel connecting private investment in Peru with the world economy, and public investment as the most effective policy variable affecting it. JEL Classification-JEL: C32 , E22 , E32 , H54 , L72 , L74
An All-Digital Spread-Spectrum Clock Generator With Self-Calibrated Bandwidth

A spread-spectrum clock generator (SSCG) is realized by an under-damping all-digital phase-locked loop (PLL). In this SSCG, the spread-spectrum clocking is achieved by switching the divider without a delta-sigma modulator. By using a digital self-calibration technique, the frequency of this SSCG has a triangular modulation profile and relaxes the process variations. This SSCG is fabricated in a 0.18 μm CMOS process. The measured electro-magnetic interference reduction is 14.37 dB. The measured rms and peak-to-peak jitters are 1.49 ps and 13.33 ps in a PLL mode, respectively. The measured rms and peak-to-peak jitters are 2.67 ps and 19.90 ps in a spread-spectrum modulation, respectively.
Barriers Expatriates Encounter During Cross-Cultural Interactions

In the era of globalization, cross-cultural issues have been widely discussed. However, research concerning cultural barriers expatriates face in foreign subsidiaries are relatively rare. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate and prioritize barriers that expatriates encounter during cross-cultural interactions. This study integrates a review of the literatures and experts’ experiences to construct an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model. AHP questionnaires were distributed to multinational corporations (MNCs) and were analyzed using Expert Choice software. This study finds that national culture bonded barriers are the most critical factors that hinder expatriates’ cross-cultural interactions with the host country. In addition, the sub-factors of ethnocentrism, headquarter strategy and cross-cultural communication are the most important factors within the categories of national culture bonded barriers, organizational barriers and individual rooted barriers, respectively. Finally, this study concludes that because cultural barriers are the main factors causing the failures of expatriates, it is crucial for MNCs to provide their employees with cross-cultural trainings that prepare expatriates’ language and cultural abilities for cross-cultural interactions with the host country and non-work social networks to facilitate the cross-cultural adjustment in MNCs.
Effects of dextran on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells.

BACKGROUND Bioreactors have been used extensively to construct tissue-engineered bone. However, mass transport and flow shear stress, the two main factors contributing to the construction of tissue-engineered bone, cannot be studied separately when changing the perfusing rate. A tackifier needs to be added into the medium to separate the two factors. This study investigated the feasibility of using dextran as a tackifier in the study of individual effects of mass transport and flow shear stress on the construction of tissue-engineered bone. METHODS Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSC) were isolated and cultured in media containing 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 9% dextran [molecular weight (MW) 70000]. Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were observed in vitro. hBMSC cultured without dextran provided a control group. RESULTS Cell proliferation was found to have no significant statistical difference (P>0.05) with a dextran concentration range of 1-7%. No significant difference in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity (P>0.05) was found among the different groups. Alizarin red staining showed no difference in mineralized extracellular matrix among the groups with a concentration of dextran less than 9%. Expression of collagen, ALP, osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OC) genes did not show any difference with a concentration range of 1-7%. DISCUSSION When using a bioreactor to construct tissue-engineered bone, it is feasible to add a 1-7% dextran (MW 70000) concentration into the medium in order to study the effects of mass transport and flow shear stress.
Formal and informal institutions in relation to the entrepreneurial phenomenon in the Americas

espanolEste articulo presenta los resultados de un estudio que tuvo como proposito analizar la incidencia de las instituciones formales e informales sobre el cambio en la tasa de actividad emprendedora (TEA), en 9 paises del continente americano. El analisis se realizo a partir de los datos de los estudios GEM entre 2005 y 2015, y los datos del estudio Doing Business del Banco Mundial. El modelo utilizado para el analisis fue el Panel de Datos de eleccion binaria. Los resultados mas relevantes muestran que instituciones formales como el costo de la resolucion de insolvencia y la financiacion de las empresas aumentan la TEA, pero otras, como las ayudas gubernamentales tienen un efecto negativo sobre la propension a emprender. Por su parte, las instituciones informales no mostraron una relacion probabilistica con la TEA, lo que podria estar evidenciando que las normas sociales, costumbres, codigos de conducta y demas, son determinantes pero no se relacionan con el emprendimiento para los paises y anos analizados en esta investigacion. EnglishThis paper presents the results of a study that aimed to analyze the impact of formal and informal institutions on the change of the entrepreneurial activity rate (TEA) in 9 countries in the Americas. The analysis set off from data from the GEM studies between 2005 and 2015, and data from the World Bank’s Doing Business study. The model used for the analysis was the binary choice Data Panel. The most relevant results show that formal institutions such as the cost of insolvency resolution and the financing of companies increase the TEA, but others, such as government subsidies, have a negative effect on the propensity to start a business. On the other hand, informal institutions did not display a probabilistic relationship with the TEA, which could be evidence social norms, customs, codes of conduct and so on, to be determining but unrelated to entrepreneurship for the countries and years analyzed herein.
Linezolid Therapy of Staphylococcus aureusExperimental Osteomyelitis

ABSTRACT The in vivo activity of linezolid or cefazolin against a clinical isolate of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus(linezolid MIC, 2 μg/ml) was studied in a rat model of experimental osteomyelitis. Sixty rats with experimental S. aureusosteomyelitis were treated for 21 days with no antimicrobial, with 25 μg of linezolid per kg of body weight administered intraperitoneally twice or three times a day, or with 50 μg of cefazolin per kg administered intramuscularly three times a day. After treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the infected tibiae were processed for quantitative bacterial cultures. The results of treatment were expressed as log10 CFU/gram of bone and analyzed by rank sum analysis. The results of linezolid treatment were not significantly different from those of untreated controls, while cefazolin treatment was significantly more active than no treatment or linezolid treatment.
Is there a risk of snapback in long-dated yields?

1 I am grateful to Claudio Borio, Stijn Claessens, Dietrich Domanski, Peter Ho rdahl, Krista Hughes, Ilhyock Shim, Vladyslav Sushko, Kostas Tsatsaronis and Dora Xia for comments and to Jose Marí a Vidal Pastor for excellent research assistance. I thank the Deutsche Bundesbank for the data used in the studies reported here. The views expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the BIS.
Biochemical and Structural Characterization of (South)-Methanocarbathymidine That Specifically Inhibits Growth of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Thymidine Kinase-transduced Osteosarcoma Cells*

Two analogs of the natural nucleoside dT featuring a pseudosugar with fixed conformation in place of the deoxyribosyl residue (carbathymidine analogs) were biochemically and structurally characterized for their acceptance by both human cytosolic thymidine kinase isoenzyme 1 (hTK1) and herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1 TK) and subsequently tested in cell proliferation assays. 3′-exo-Methanocarbathymidine ((South)-methanocarbathymidine (S)-MCT), which is a substrate for HSV1 TK, specifically inhibited growth of HSV1 TK-transduced human osteosarcoma cells with an IC50 value in the range of 15 μm without significant toxicity toward both hTK1-negative (TK-) and non-transduced cells. 2′-exo-Methanocarbathymidine ((North)-methanocarbathymidine (N)-MCT), which is a weak substrate for hTK1 and a substantial one for HSV1 TK, induced a specific growth inhibition in HSV1 TK-transfected cells comparable to that of (S)-MCT and ganciclovir. A growth inhibition activity was also observed with (N)-MCT and ganciclovir in non-transduced cells in a cell line-dependent manner, whereas TK- cells were not affected. The presented 1.95-Å crystal structure of the complex (S)-MCT·HSV1 TK explains both the more favorable binding affinity and catalytic turnover of (S)-MCT for HSV1 TK over the North analog. Additionally the plasticity of the active site of the enzyme is addressed by comparing the binding of (North)- and (South)-carbathymidine analogs. The presented study of these two potent candidate prodrugs for HSV1 TK gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy suggests that (S)-MCT may be even safer to use than its North counterpart (N)-MCT.
Potential for collaboration among agricultural food festivals in Korea for cross-retention of visitors

Abstract This study examines visitor intentions to attend different agricultural food festivals within the same region to explore whether they can collaborate to promote cross-visits. Building upon the literature on co-branding and satisfaction, this study proposes the direct effect as well as the mediating roles of involvement and variety seeking between visitor satisfaction with a current festival and behavioral intentions to visit similar festivals. The results found that all relationships appeared to be positive and significant as conceptualized and visitor intentions to attend similar festivals were as high as those to visit the festival that had been attended again. Furthermore, comparison of three models suggested that the partial mediation model (PMM) is a significant improvement over the direct effect (DEM) and full mediation (FMM) models. This study seeks to make both theoretical and practical contributions to agricultural food festivals and rural tourism, specifically to the cross-retention potential of visitors to relevant festivals.
A New Load Frequency Control Method of Multi-Area Power System via the Viewpoints of Port-Hamiltonian System and Cascade System

The existed control methods of the multi-area load frequency control (LFC) system fail to decouple the total tie-line power flow. This defect can be addressed as a problem on how to effectively utilize the total tie-line power flow. To improve that defect, the energy and structure of multi-area LFC system have been carefully studied, such that, the energy goes through the systemic cascade parts and the systemic structure matrix is partially skew symmetry. Namely, the energy and structural properties of the multi-area LFC system are similar to the properties of Port-Hamiltonian (PH) system and cascade system. Inspired by the above properties, a new method based on the PH system and cascade system that is proposed to design some PID control laws for the multi-area LFC system successfully works out the aforementioned problem. Compared with the existed PID methods for the multi-area LFC system, the proposed method has two advantages, which are the decoupling of total tie-line power flow and the robust disturbance rejection. At last, simulations results demonstrate the validity and advantages of the proposed method.
Confronting human trafficking: The role of state capacity

While human trafficking occupies a prominent place on the global policy agenda, many aspects of this phenomenon remain empirically underdeveloped. We examine the role of state capacity in these illicit supply chains, positing that trafficking flows may persist because even well-intentioned states might lack the requisite capacity to take effective action. Along those lines, we assess the impact of two facets of state capacity, bureaucratic efficacy and fiscal capacity, upon the probability of a country being a source or destination for the two types of human trafficking, forced labor and prostitution. We find that state capacity, particularly fiscal capacity, is significantly related to reduced labor and sex trafficking at both the source and destination levels.
Arabidopsis Chitinases: a Genomic Survey

Abstract Plant chitinases (EC 3.2.1.14) belong to relatively large gene families subdivided in classes that suggest class-specific functions. They are commonly induced upon the attack of pathogens and by various sources of stress, which led to associating them with plant defense in general. However, it is becoming apparent that most of them display several functions during the plant life cycle, including taking part in developmental processes such as pollination and embryo development. The number of chitinases combined with their multiple functions has been an obstacle to a better understanding of their role in plants. It is therefore important to identify and inventory all chitinase genes of a plant species to be able to dissect their function and understand the relations between the different classes. Complete sequencing of the Arabidopsis genome has made this task feasible and we present here a survey of all putative chitinase-encoding genes accompanied by a detailed analysis of their sequence. Based on their characteristics and on studies on other plant chitinases, we propose an overview of their possible functions as well as modified annotations for some of them.