Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Treating Parkinson Disease with Autologous Telomerase-Positive Stem Cells, Update 2021

Parkinson disease (PD) is the second most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects older adults. PD is characterized by a low level of dopamine being expressed in the striatum and a deterioration of dopaminergic neurons and associated neural networks in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Current medical, surgical, and rehabilitative treatments for PD have long-term side effects and do not halt the progression of the disease. Stem cell therapies generating dopaminergic neurons from fetal brain tissue, human embryonic stem cells, human induced pluripotent stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, human neural stem cells, direct reprogramming of somatic cells and direct reprogramming of stem cells by either gene editing, and/or gene transfer have elicited keen interest as to eventual therapeutics for Parkinson disease. Unfortunately, thus far, these experimental therapies have proved to be of limited therapeutic value in clinical trials. Using a neurotoxin-induced animal model of PD, transplantation of a naïve telomerase positive pluripotent stem cell clone demonstrated reconstitution of dopaminergic neurons and associated neural networks when stereotactically injected into neurotoxin-lesioned substantia nigra pars compactum of the ventral midbrain. Two IRB-approved clinical trials in small cohort studies (n=8 & n=4), with a combined sample size of n=12, demonstrated that intranasal infusion of autologous telomerase positive totipotent cells followed by intravenous infusion of telomerase positive pluripotent stem cells and mesodermal stem cells had a positive influence on patient symptomology with Parkinson’s Disease. No adverse effects were reported by any participant or their respective caregiver for the entire combined small cohort study (n=12). Taken together as a 2021 update of this on-going clinical study, 33% (n=4) showed moderate to no benefit of telomerase positive stem cell treatment by demonstrating a continued decline in symptoms after treatment; 33% (n=4) remained in stasis after the first month after treatment; and 33% (n=4) resolved their symptoms. The results suggest that autologous telomerase positive stem cells, TSCs, PSCs, and MesoSCs, are safe and efficacious (66%) to reduce the symptoms in participants with Parkinson’s disease.
The Role of Coach’s Gender on Coaching Self-Efficacy for Division III Female Student-Athletes

The landscape of women in college sports has improved dramatically since the enactment of Title IX in 1972. Participation rates and funding have increased, providing a more inclusive environment for female student-athletes to compete. However, females ascending to leadership positions within the NCAA has experienced a downward trend. Currently, males hold the majority of athletic director positions and serve as head coaches on more than half of female varsity sport teams. This may be detrimental to female studentathletes, as women in leadership positions provide same-gender role models and mentor relationships for female student-athletes. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between coaching gender and perceived self-efficacy of female student-athletes to pursue coaching as a profession, while also investigating the impact of perceived barriers (discrimination and working hours) to entering the field. The sample population, Division III female student-athletes (n = 192), regardless of their coach’s gender, indicated having high coaching self-efficacy. Additional findings found that coaching self-efficacy had a statically significant relationship with gender (p = .48), desire to coach (p < .001), and perceived barriers to entry (discrimination, p = .007; working hours, p < .001). Furthermore, female student-athletes indicated that they had low levels of desire to coach at every level of the NCAA (Division I: M = 1.77; Division II: M = 1.88; Division III: M = 3.64), and only slightly showed a desire to coach in high school sport (M = 5.45).
Critical Review: Effectiveness of a peer-mediated social communication intervention in school settings

This study reports a critical review examining the effectiveness of a peer-mediated social communication intervention in school settings for students with social communication impairments. Study designs include six single-case studies and one randomized control trial. The results of this paper suggest that peer-mediated social communication intervention is an effective treatment for students with social communication impairment.
Age Estimation Using Correlation-Refined Features of Convolutional Neural Network

Age estimation remains challenging because of its high dependence on small facial changes (based on individual propagation, increased wrinkles, and even racial or gender factors). In the past decade, some learning models of neural network based on image analysis have been rapidly developed to overcome such limitations. In this study, we developed a novel method, namely correlation-refined convolutional neural network (CR-CNN), based on some deep learning model (AlexNet). Additional to the parameters in model, the CR-CNN model considers a specific learning network, in which the neuron parameters along with refined facial features at various field-of-view levels have determined through canonical correlation analysis (CCA). Such a novel learning strategy, called low-to-mid-dle-level-features retained transfer learning (LMLFR). Through LMLFR, the feature maps in CNN would be reorganized and join as new layer. That means the maps with high CCA values, in which neurons have high coadaptation with respect to feature-map values, are averaged and flattened; and contrarily, the maps with low CCA values are retained for the low-coadaptation neurons. All refined layers are then subjected to principal component analysis to further reduce dimensionality. At the output layer, classification is executed through support vector regressions (SVR) and Marginal Fisher Analysis (MFA) to overcome the non-Gaussian distributions of refined features on different layers. Experiments were conducted using images obtained from the well-known MORPH dataset, and the re-sults indicated that for age estimation, the proposed model outperformed commonly used methods; the error range was approximately −5 to +5, covering approximately 80% of the learning age range. The proposed model constitutes a novel approach to feature refinement and can potentially become the basis of extensive applications.
Borsa İstanbul’da Kayıtlı Türk Firmaların Firmaya Özgü Sermaye Yapısı Belirleyicileri: Bir Yapısal Eşitlik Modellemesi Yaklaşımı

Bu çalışma, en önemli sermaye yapısı teorilerinin açıklayıcı gücünü test etmektedir. Çalışma ampirik çalışmalara üç faklı açıdan katkı sağlamaktadır. Birincisi, çoğu daha önce ampirik olarak değerlendirilmemiş daha geniş bir dizi teoriyi test etmektedir. İkincisi, sermaye yapısı teorilerinin farklı borç yapılarına göre farklı ampirik sonuçları olduğundan, bu çalışma toplam borç yapısından çok, uzun vadeli borç yapısını, kısa vadeli borç yapısını ve kısa-uzun vadeli borç yapılarını ayrı modeller üzerinde test etmektedir. Ampirik sonuçlar, likidite, varlık yapısı, büyüklük, karlılık, büyüme ve oynaklık faktörlerinin sermaye yapılarını açıklamada anlamlı faktörler olduğunu ve vergi düzeyi ile borç-dışı vergi kalkanının tüm modellerde önemsiz faktörler olduğunu göstermektedir. Tüm modellerde sermaye yapısı ile firma büyüklüğü ve büyüme faktörleri arasında pozitif yönlü; oynaklık ve karlılık faktörleri arasında negatif yönlü ilişkiler söz konusudur. Ancak, likidite ve aktif yapısı faktörleri işletmelerin kısa vadeli borç yapılarını negatif yönde ve uzun vadeli borç yapılarını ise pozitif olumlu yönde etkilediği görülmüştür.
INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT: KEY TO REDUCTION OF SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT CARBON FOOTPRINT IN EMERGING ECONOMIES, A LOOK AT YOLA, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The current solid waste management (SWM) practice of open dumping prevalent in developing countries is not sustainable. It is responsible for an unusually high amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission from the sector, this is in addition to other environmental woes it poses. Integrated Solid Waste Management (ISWM) is an effective SWM technique. Life cycle approach was used to develop an ISWM model suitable for Yola, the capital of Adamawa State in Nigeria based on its municipal solid waste (MSW) profile. The potential for reduction of GHGs emission from the SWM sector in Yola was ascertained using the model. Data used for the analysis was obtained from literature. It was determined that if this model is implemented in the city, a reduction of 188% in the carbon footprint of the city’s SWM sector could be achieved. It was also found that the composting is the ISWM element with the highest carbon sink potential, this is because the city’s MSW has high organic matter content. The study suggested synergy between government and the organised private sector so as to be able to make the SWM sector in the city sustainable. It also suggested creating awareness on the need for responsible usage and disposal of materials by the city’s inhabitants.
Presentation of Sonographic Features of Pulmonary Invasive Fungal Disease in Six Children with Leukemia

Background The early diagnosis of invasive fungal diseases is important because the therapeutic outcome depends on the prompt initiation of appropriate interventions. In this study, we present the feature of ultrasound of pulmonary fungal infection in six children with leukemia. Method and Patients: Between June and November 2020, this cross-sectional study was conducted in the radiology department at Dr. Sheikh Children’s Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. During this period, we reviewed imaging findings of fungal lung infections in six patients with leukemia (ages 5-11 years old) who were referred for chest ultrasound and CT-scan. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of patients showed multiple nodular lesions with/without ground-glass opacity (halo sign or reverse halo sign), and wedge-shape consolidations. In some patients, there were thick wall cavitary lesions with intra-cavitary fungus ball and the air-crescent sign. Ultrasound findings of the lung included the target lesion, the cavitary lesion, wedge-shape consolidation, and extra-pulmonary invasion to the chest wall or sub-diaphragm. The galactomannan test or debridement of para-nasal sinuses confirmed fungal infections; Aspergillosis or Mucormycosis. Conclusion Four characteristic features of pulmonary invasive fungal disease on ultrasound can help in faster diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response in these patients.
TRUST AND JOB INVOLVEMENT AS DETERMINANT OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING BEHAVIOR

Knowledge sharing has become an important part of organizations in increasing their competitiveness. However, the antecedent variable for the practice of knowledge sharing behavior is still very limited. This study aims to examine the influence of trust among organizational members and job involvement on the intensity of knowledge sharing behavior. The study involved 250 lecturers from various universities in the city of Malang, Indonesia. The research data were collected through a questionnaire and processed using SEM Partial Least Square. The results showed that trust among organizational members influenced job involvement and knowledge sharing practices. Furthermore, job involvement is proven to be a variable that mediates the effect of trust on knowledge sharing behavior.
The Lunch Conference Diet: Fostering Resident Engagement in Culinary Medicine Through a Curriculum Centered on Changes to Provided Conference Food

Background. Despite the burden of chronic disease attributable to lifestyle, most internal medicine residents do not receive adequate training in nutrition and nutrition counseling. Methods. We held a culinary medicine workshop in September 2018, followed by didactic sessions throughout the academic year. Changes were made to lunch conference food to more closely follow the Mediterranean diet and to encourage healthy eating. With a modified NUTCOMP (Nutrition Competence Questionnaire) instrument, we assesses residents’ perceived competence with nutrition counseling before and after the curriculum. Results. Twenty-six of 30 residents completed the pre-curriculum and post-curriculum surveys (not the same 26). The mean NUTCOMP score increased from 3.5 to 4.0 ( P < .0001), indicating an increased perceived competence with nutritional counseling. Residents felt that nutritional counseling was important before and after the curriculum (4.2 to 4.3, P = .48). Conference food was more nutritious at the end of the intervention (Mediterranean diet score range 1-4 to 4-7) and residents enjoyed the food more. Conclusions. An innovative, multimodal nutrition curriculum centered on changes to catered lunch conference food improved resident’s confidence with nutritional counseling. This could feasibly be integrated into other residency programs with supportive leadership and adequate training.
Loneliness and Its Associated Factors Nine Months after the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-National Study

COVID-19 has been a global healthcare concern impacting multiple aspects of individual and community wellness. As one moves forward with different methods to reduce the infection and mortality rates, it is critical to continue to study the impact that national and local “social distancing” policies have on the daily lives of individuals. The aim of this study was to examine loneliness in relation to risk assessment, measures taken against risks, concerns, and social media use, while adjusting for sociodemographic variables. The cross-sectional study collected data from 3474 individuals from the USA, the UK, Norway, and Australia. Loneliness was measured with the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale. Multiple linear regression was used in the analysis of associations between variables. The results showed that concerns about finances were more strongly associated with social loneliness, while concerns about the future was more strongly associated with emotional loneliness. Longer daily time spent on social media was associated with higher emotional loneliness. In conclusion, pandemic-related concerns seem to affect perceptions of loneliness. While social media can be used productively to maintain relationships, and thereby prevent loneliness, excessive use may be counterproductive.
I Don’t Need an Expert! Making URL Phishing Features Human Comprehensible

Judging the safety of a URL is something that even security experts struggle to do accurately without additional information. In this work, we aim to make experts’ tools accessible to non-experts and assist general users in judging the safety of URLs by providing them with a usable report based on the information professionals use. We designed the report by iterating with 8 focus groups made up of end users, HCI experts, and security experts to ensure that the report was usable as well as accurately interpreted the information. We also conducted an online evaluation with 153 participants to compare different report-length options. We find that the longer comprehensive report allows users to accurately judge URL safety (93% accurate) and that summaries still provide benefit (83% accurate) compared to domain highlighting (65% accurate).
The Impact of Psychological Pressure and Psychological Traits on Performance – Experimental Evidence of Penalties in Handball

Our handball penalty field experiment analyses the influence of psychological traits and pressure on individual performance in sequential tournaments. We use a short ABBA-sequence with four throws for each subject and observe an average score rate of 60% in our sample of amateur league players. On game level, we find a weak and insignificant first-mover advantage that becomes stronger and significant if we control for psychological traits and pressure. On shot level, we also find no significant first-mover advantage on average. However, confident individuals have a higher scoring rate in the role of player A and less confident individuals in the role of player B. Moreover, ceteris paribus, player A scores more goals than player B under tournament incentives. Whereas self-esteem increases the probability to throw a goal in our experiment, risk-taking reduces it.
Detection and quantification of cow milk adulteration using portable near-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

Milk adulteration is a common phenomenon in many countries, which draws extensive attention from humans due to health hazards that might result in some fatal diseases. In this study, a portable near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer combined with multivariate analysis was used to detect and quantify milk adulteration. Fresh cow milk samples were collected from eight dairy farms in Beijing and Hebei province of China. Water, urea, starch and goat milk were used to adulterate milk at 11 different concentrations. The data driven soft independent modeling of class analogy (DD-SIMCA) method was employed for qualitative analysis. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was applied for statistical analysis of the obtained NIR spectral data. The results showed that the DD-SIMCA approach achieved satisfactory classification. By the PLSR model, standard error of prediction (SEP) values of 4.35, 0.34, 4.74 and 5.56 g/L were obtained for water, urea, starch and goat milk, respectively. These results demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of NIR spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis in the prediction of the total contents of the investigated adulterants in cow milk. Key words: Portable near-infrared (NIR)-spectroscopy, milk adulteration, DD-SIMCA, Partial least squares (PLS) regression.
Aspergillus Spondylodiscitis After Spinal Stenosis Surgery: A Case Report

Background and Importance: Spondylodiscitis is an inflammatory disease of the body of one or more vertebrae and intervertebral disc. The fungal etiology of this disease is rare, particularly in patients without immunodeficiency. Delay in diagnosis and treatment of this disease can lead to complications and even death. Case Presentation: A 63-year-old diabetic female patient, who had a history of spinal surgery and complaining radicular lumbar pain in both lower limbs with a probable diagnosis of spondylodiscitis, underwent partial L2 and complete L3 and L4 corpectomy and fusion. As a result of pathology from tissue biopsy specimen, Aspergillus fungi were observed. There was no evidence of immunodeficiency in the patient. The patient was treated with Itraconazole 100 mg twice a day for two months. Pain, neurological symptom, and laboratory tests improved. Conclusion: The debridement surgery coupled with antifungal drugs can lead to the best therapeutic results.
Versatile Locomotion by Integrating Ankle, Hip, Stepping, and Height Variation Strategies

Stable walking in real-world environments is a challenging task for humanoid robots, especially when considering the dynamic disturbances, e.g., caused by external perturbations that may be encountered during locomotion. The varying nature of disturbance necessitates high adaptability. In this paper, we propose an enhanced Nonlinear Model Predictive Control (NMPC) approach for robust and adaptable walking – we term it versatile locomotion, by limiting both the Center of Pressure (CoP) and Divergent Component of Motion (DCM) movements. Due to utilization of the Nonlinear Inverted Pendulum plus Flywheel model, the robot is endowed with the capabilities of CoP manipulation (if equipped with finitesized feet), step location adjustment, upper body rotation, and vertical height variation. Considering the feasibility constraints, especially the usage of relaxed CoP constraints, the NMPC scheme is established as a Quadratically Constrained Quadratic Programming problem, which is solved efficiently by Sequential Quadratic Programming with enhanced solvability. Simulation experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our method to recruit optimal hybrid strategies in order to realize versatile locomotion, for the robot with finite-sized or point feet.
From the Classical to Empiricists: A review of the terms of trade controversy

Contrary to the classical position, the works of Prebisch and Singer in the middle of the last century launched the controversial hypothesis of a long-term decline in the terms of trade of primary products visá-vis manufactures and a corresponding decline in the terms of trade of the developing countries vis-á-vis the advanced ones. The present study traces the origin and evolution of the hypothesis and reviews the related statistical debate. It also reviews the theoretical support for the Prebisch-Singer hypothesis. It’s an exercise in the history of economic thought to trace how the controversies surrounding the terms of trade have evolved over time, specifically noting that with the development in the field of econometrics, the central thesis of the argument got somewhere lost in the realm of hi-tech statistical debates.
Waiting around or job half-done? Sentiment in self-admitted technical debt

Self-Admitted Technical Debt (SATD) represents the admission, made through source code comments or other channels, of portions of a program being poorly implemented, containing provisional solutions or, in general, simply being not ready yet. To better understand developers’ habits in SATD annotation, and possibly support their exploitation in tool support, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of the content provided in SATD comments, and the expressed sentiment. We manually inspect and classify 1038 instances from an existing dataset, grouping them along a taxonomy composed of 41 categories (of which 9 top-level ones), identifying their sentiment, and the presence of external references such as author names or issue IDs. Results of our study indicate that (i) the SATD content is crosscutting along life-cycle dimensions identified in previous work, (ii) comments related to functional problems or on-hold SATD are generally more negative than poor implementation choices or partially implemented functionality, and (iii) despite observations from previous literature, only a minority of SATD comments leverage external references.