Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of Negative Stereotypes and Beliefs on Neuropsychological Test Performance in a Traumatic Brain Injury Population

Abstract The impact of stereotype threat and self-efficacy beliefs on neuropsychological test performance in a clinical traumatic brain injury (TBI) population was investigated. A total of 42 individuals with mild-to-moderate TBI and 42 (age-, gender-, educationally matched) healthy adults were recruited. The study consisted of a 2 (Type of injury: control, TBI) × 2 (Threat Condition: reduced threat, heightened threat) between-participants design. The purpose of the reduced threat condition was to reduce negative stereotyped beliefs regarding cognitive effects of TBI and to emphasize personal control over cognition. The heightened threat condition consisted of an opposing view. Main effects included greater anxiety, motivation, and dejection but reduced memory self-efficacy for head-injured-groups, compared to control groups. On neuropsychological testing, the TBI-heightened-threat-group displayed lower scores on Initial Encoding (initial recall) and trended toward displaying lower scores on Attention (working memory) compared to the TBI-reduced-threat-group. No effect was found for Delayed Recall measures. Memory self-efficacy mediated the relation between threat condition and neuropsychological performance, indicating a potential mechanism for the threat effect. The findings highlight the impact of stereotype threat and self-referent beliefs on neuropsychological test performance in a clinical TBI population. (JINS, 2013, 20, 1–11)
Correlation between allopregnanolone levels and depressive symptoms during late menopausal transition and early postmenopause

Abstract Objectives: This observational, cross-sectional study included 140 women with climacteric symptoms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the presence and severity of depressive symptoms and allopregnanolone levels in women during late menopausal transition and early postmenopause. Methods: The study group was divided into two groups: 45 women in late menopausal transition and 95 early postmenopausal women. We evaluated Kupperman index, Hamilton scale and serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, 17β-estradiol, prolactin, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and allopregnanolone levels. Results: We found that serum allopregnanolone concentration was lower in early postmenopausal women compared to women in late menopausal transition; that there was a correlation between serum allopregnanolone levels in early postmenopausal women and time since last menstruation, intensity of climacteric symptoms, and intensity of depression symptoms and that there was a correlation between serum allopregnanolone levels and several depression symptoms presence (shallow sleep and symptoms of the digestive tract in women during late menopause transition; feelings of guilt, sleep disorders and general somatic symptoms in early postmenopausal women). Conclusion: We concluded that reproductive aging is characterized by a reduction of allopregnanolone circulating levels that correlate to Hamilton depression index in early postmenopause and presence of specific depressive symptoms during late menopausal transition and early postmenopause.
Why Should You Invest in the BestCompanies to Work For?

This article provides empirical evidence from the capital market that companies operating and competing in the knowledge-based and information-driven economy should be able to enjoy superior benefits and performance by making themselves the best companies to work for. The author analyzes stock risk premiums and risk-adjusted returns on a portfolio of firms ranked consecutively from 1998 to 2011 as the best companies to work for in the United States. The results show that an equal-weighted portfolio of these best companies exhibits positive average risk premiums and average risk-adjusted excess returns a majority of the time. The implication is that if firms take care to make their companies good places to work, it will pay off in the short and long runs, as evidenced from the capital market. Also, it is possible to construct a portfolio of such companies to earn positive average risk premiums and average risk-adjusted excess returns a majority of the time.
Korean Experimentation of Knowledge and Technology Transfer to Address Climate Change in Developing Countries

This paper explores two Korean cases of Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) to address climate change in developing countries. The target technologies were carbon capture and utilization (CCU) in a project in Bantayan Island, Philippines, and waste-to-energy (WTE) technology in Santiago, Dominican Republic. These projects were conducted by the Republic of Korea’s Green Technology Center. The study analyses the rationale of KTT (“international environment” and “motives”), its objects (technology types) and activities (“informational contacts”, “research activities”, “consulting” and “education and training”). It concludes that the KTT efforts of these two case studies can be characterized as “uninformed transfer”, given a lack of information on situational factors. In particular, these projects faced cooperation problems between national and local governments in the target countries due to different levels of commitment among different stakeholder groups. In conclusion, this study identifies the implications of an acceptability gap between national and local actors in renewable energy projects of KTT.
The corner frequencies of the ECG amplifier for heart rate variability analysis

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is considered a popular method both in clinical and research fields. However, several ignored technical artifacts may falsify its measurements. The current study investigates the effects of corner frequencies of the ECG amplifier on the precision of RR-interval detection. Clear or noise-corrupted ECG records with predefined parameters consisting of 21 cycles were generated, played back through analog filters and data-logged on a Pentium-based computer with a DaqBoard2000 data acquisition card. 0.1–10 Hz second-order high pass and 20–100 Hz fourth-order low pass Bessel and Butterworth filters were used. The RR-intervals were measured between seven reference points of the ventricular complexes before and after filtering. High and low pass at every frequency cutoff and with both filter types results in correct RR-intervals within 1 ms error. However, a lower cutoff below 1 Hz is needed to maintain ECG morphology. AC interference or Gaussian random noise can falsify the measured RR-intervals up to 16 or 34 ms, respectively. These errors may be reduced to 1–4 ms with appropriate low pass filters. A frequency range of 0.5–20 Hz for the ECG amplifier can be sufficient for HRV analysis reducing the errors from AC interference or random noise.
The political economy of FDI in Thailand and its implications for sustainable economic development

This thesis analyses the determinants and consequences of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand, with particular emphasis on reviewing the Thai government’s FDI policies, and these policies’ effectiveness for enabling the country’s sustainable development. Past research has indicated that, despite developing countries’ various attempts to improve their economic growth and increase their standard of living via internationalisation, many of these attempts have proven unsuccessful. In the case of Thailand, there is debate regarding how the government can influence and regulate FDI in a manner that is most beneficial to the country’s long-term growth and development. It has long been recognised that Thailand’s economic policies are determined in a political environment that is driven mainly by individuals’ and groups’ personal interest. Thus, research on the political process of policy formation is essential to predict future policy directions. This thesis takes a more concentrated approach by examining the effects of FDI on Thailand’s economic growth in the context of the political economy. The main areas examined are: (i) whether FDI has had a positive effect on the Thai economy; (ii) in which sector FDI has been most productive; (iii) whether the Thai government has been successful in achieving improved economic growth through implementing its FDI policies; and (4) if not, which areas have reported failure, what possible alternative policies exist, and what the expectations are for Thailand’s future. In assessing Thailand’s performance, this study found that the contribution of FDI to gross domestic product and employment growth varies across sectors. Generally, there is room for improvement in all sectors, which can be achieved by addressing the structural weaknesses in Thailand’s financial system and improving the country’s POLITICAL ECONOMY OF FDI IN THAILAND v infrastructure, education and health. Appropriate measures will improve human capital, increase absorptive capacity, and thereby enhance the overall spillover effects of FDI. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF FDI IN THAILAND vi
Demand for healthcare by rural households in Bangladesh: level and determinants.

This paper analyzes some important aspects of demand for healthcare in the context of Bangladesh with its aim to compute the level of demand identify the determinants of demand and estimate the elasticities of demand for healthcare. The paper first discussed issues relating to demand analysis and examined some important studies on healthcare demand. Considering a number of methodological limitations found in the available studies the paper posited a model of consumer behavior which will establish the demand function for health care on a more appropriately theoretical basis. The data on willingness to pay have explicated that most people in the study thanas were willing to pay for child immunization tetanus toxoid and healthcare for women and children. The price elasticity of demand was low whereas income elasticity was considerably high. The households which did not want to pay for healthcare mentioned their unwillingness to pay for any government service. Introduction of a fee on healthcare will reduce demand but not considerably. Thus to counteract the possible decline in demand a safety net for around 2% of the people who are poor and motivation for another 18% of the people are needed. Finally to estimate a demand for healthcare function appropriately a survey is needed to collect data on all the variables of the demand for healthcare function derived under General Framework of Analysis of this paper.
Comparative Evaluation of Asian and White Ocular Topography

Purpose To provide comparative ocular topography data from a substantial population of East Asian and white eyes. Methods This study evaluated 675 subjects from three ethnic groups: white (n = 255), Chinese (n = 299), and Japanese (n = 121) at investigational sites in four locations: Wenzhou, China; Melbourne, Australia; Tokyo, Japan; and Jacksonville, USA. Subjects underwent the same measurements of ocular topography using identical equipment and protocols. A videokeratoscope (Medmont E300) was used to measure apical corneal radius, simulated K-reading (K), corneal shape factor (CSF), and corneal sagittal height at 10 mm in the two principal meridians. Digital photography was also used to measure ocular parameters including horizontal visible iris diameter (HVID), vertical palpebral aperture (PA), the intercanthal angle (ICA), and upper and lower lid angles. Results Mean HVID measurements were significantly smaller for the Chinese and Japanese groups than whites: 11.26, 11.10, and 11.75 mm, respectively. Horizontal K was significantly steeper for the white than the Chinese and Japanese groups: 7.79, 7.86, and 7.92 mm, respectively. The Chinese eyes showed significantly higher mean vertical CSF (i.e., more prolate) than the other two groups. The Chinese group had significantly narrower PA and steeper ICA than the other two groups: the mean PA and ICA values were 9.71, 10.31, and 10.58 mm and 7.56, 6.32, and 6.27 degrees, for the Chinese, Japanese, and white groups, respectively. One-third of the Chinese (32%) and 31% of the Japanese subjects showed no apparent supratarsal fold (“single eyelid”). There were also significant differences between groups for corneal sagittal height at 10 mm and upper and lower lid angles, but no significant differences for vertical K and horizontal CSF. Conclusions This study has highlighted some differences in ocular topography between Chinese, Japanese, and white ethnic groups that may be relevant to soft contact lens fit.
Zebrafish scarb2a insertional mutant reveals a novel function for the Scarb2/Limp2 receptor in notochord development

Background: Scarb2 or Limp2 belong to a subfamily of Scavenger receptors described as lysosomal transmembrane glycosylated receptors, that are mutated in the human syndrome AMRF (action myoclonus‐renal failure). The zebrafish insertional mutant scarb2ahi1463Tg has notochord defects, the notochord is a defining feature of chordates running along the center of the longitudinal axis and it is essential for forming the spinal column in all vertebrates. Results: There are three paralogous scarb2 genes in zebrafish; scarb2a, scarb2b, and scarb2c. Both Scarb2a and Scarb2b proteins lack the classical di‐leucine motif. We found that scarb2ahi1463Tg homozygous zebrafish embryos have a null mutation impairing vacuole formation in the notochord and simultaneously disrupting proper formation of the basement membrane resulting in its thickening at the ventral side of the notochord, which may be the cause for the anomalous upward bending observed in the trunk. Through whole‐mount in situ hybridization, we detected scarb2a mRNA expression in the notochord and in the brain early in development. However, it is puzzling that scarb2a notochord mRNA expression is short‐lived in the presumptive notochord and precedes the complete differentiation of the notochord. Conclusions: This work describes a novel function for the Scarb2 receptor as an essential glycoprotein for notochord development. Developmental Dynamics 245:508–519, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative diffusion tensor imaging and intellectual outcomes in spina bifida: laboratory investigation.

OBJECT Patients with spina bifida (SB) have variable intellectual outcomes. The authors used diffusion tensor (DT) imaging to quantify whole-brain volumes of gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and perform regional quantitative microstructural assessments of gray matter nuclei and white matter tracts in relation to intellectual outcomes in patients with SB. METHODS Twenty-nine children with myelomeningoceles and 20 age- and sex-matched children with normal neural tube development underwent MR imaging with DT image acquisition and assessments of intelligence. The DT imaging-derived metrics were the fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (parallel), and transverse (perpendicular) diffusivities. These metrics were also used to segment the brain into white matter, gray matter, and CSF. A region-of-interest analysis was conducted of the white and gray matter structures implicated in hydrocephalus. RESULTS The amount of whole-brain gray matter was decreased in patients with SB, with a corresponding increase in CSF (p < 0.0001). Regional transverse diffusivity in the caudate nucleus was decreased (p < 0.0001), and the corresponding FA was increased (p < 0.0001), suggesting reduced dendritic branching and connectivity. Fractional anisotropy in the posterior limb of the internal capsule increased in the myelomeningocele group (p = 0.02), suggesting elimination of some divergent fascicles; in contrast, the FA in several white matter structures (such as the corpus callosum genu [p < 0.001] and arcuate fasciculus) was reduced, suggesting disruption of myelination. Diffusion tensor imaging-metrics involving gray matter volume and the caudate nucleus, but not other structures, predicted variations in IQ (r = 0.37-0.50; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Diffusion tensor imaging-derived metrics provide noninvasive neuronal surrogate markers of the pathogenesis of SB and predict variations in general intellectual outcomes in children with this condition.
One-Cycle Control Based Vienna Rectifiers with Input Power Factor Regulation

In this paper, a crucial technique for incorporating reactive power compensation functionality into Vienna rectifiers is discussed and a modified one-cycle-control (MOCC) scheme is proposed for regulating three-phase Vienna rectifiers operating under leading, lagging or unity power factor with sinusoidal input current. The operating principle of the conventional OCC (COCC) strategy is reviewed simply at first, then the MOCC scheme with input current phase-shift control is discussed in detail. To mitigate input current distortion caused by the current phase-shift, a method by injecting some components to the current command signals is further presented. The implementation of the proposed MOCC scheme is as simple as that of the COCC scheme. In addition, all other advantages exhibited by the COCC scheme, such as no phase-locked loop, no frame transformation and constant switching frequency are also retained by MOCC scheme. The theoretical analysis of the proposed MOCC schemes is fully verified by simulations.
A prospective study of association of monounsaturated fat and other types of fat with risk of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Animal studies suggest that monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat may have opposite effects on the risk of breast cancer. METHODS We performed a population-based prospective cohort study, including 61,471 women aged 40 to 76 years from 2 counties in central Sweden who did not have any previous diagnosis of cancer; 674 cases of invasive breast cancer occurred during an average follow-up of 4.2 years. All subjects answered a validated 67-item food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Cox proportional hazards models were used to obtain adjusted rate ratio (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS After mutual adjustment of different types of fat, an inverse association with monounsaturated fat and a positive association with polyunsaturated fat were found. The RR for each 10-g increment in daily intake of monounsaturated fat was 0.45 (95% CI, 0.22-0.95), whereas the RR for a 5-g increment of polyunsaturated fat was 1.69 (95% CI, 1.02-2.78); the increments correspond to approximately 2 SDs of intake in the population. Comparing the highest quartile of intake with the lowest, we found an RR of 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5-1.2) for monounsaturated fat and 1.2 (95% CI, 0.9-1.6) for polyunsaturated fat. Saturated fat was not associated with the risk of breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that various types of fat may have specific opposite effects on the risk of breast cancer that closely resemble the corresponding effects in experimental animals. Research investigations and health policy considerations should take into account the emerging evidence that monounsaturated fat might be protective for risk of breast cancer.
Erythrophagocytosis by plasmacytoid dendritic cells and monocytes is enhanced during inflammation

Generation of antibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens can be a clinically significant problem. The underlying mechanisms that regulate the production of RBC antibodies are only partially understood; however, factors such as inflammation significantly increase the rates of RBC antibody generation. Humoral alloimmunization begins with consumption of transfused RBCs by antigen‐presenting cells (APCs). Recently, it has become appreciated that there are multiple different types of APCs. The relative contribution of APC subsets to RBC antibodies has not been described in either the quiescent or the inflamed states.
Molecular Directionality of Polysaccharide Polymerization by thePasteurella multocida Hyaluronan Synthase*

Hyaluronan (HA), a long linear polymer composed of alternating glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine residues, is an essential polysaccharide in vertebrates and a putative virulence factor in certain microbes. All known HA synthases utilize UDP-sugar precursors. Previous reports describing the HA synthase enzymes from Streptococcus bacteria and mammals, however, did not agree on the molecular directionality of polymer elongation. We show here that a HA synthase, PmHAS, from Gram-negative P. multocida bacteria polymerizes the HA chain by the addition of sugar units to the nonreducing terminus. Recombinant PmHAS will elongate exogenous HA oligosaccharide acceptors to form long polymersin vitro; thus far no other HA synthase has displayed this capability. The directionality of synthesis was established definitively by testing the ability of PmHAS to elongate defined oligosaccharide derivatives. Analysis of the initial stages of synthesis demonstrated that PmHAS added single monosaccharide units sequentially. Apparently the fidelity of the individual sugar transfer reactions is sufficient to generate the authentic repeating structure of HA. Therefore, simultaneous addition of disaccharide block units is not required as hypothesized in some recent models of polysaccharide biosynthesis. PmHAS appears distinct from other known HA synthases based on differences in sequence, topology in the membrane, and putative reaction mechanism.
The effect of product involvement on the relationship between electronic word-of-mouth and purchase intention: The cross-cultural comparison between Taiwan and Mainland China

Electronic Word-of-Mouth (eWOM ) has long been considered an important factor affecting online consumption. This study explores the impact of eWOM on purchase intention from three facets: strength of eWOM, profession of communicator, and profession of recipient, and the moderator effect of product involvement on their relationships. Furthermore, as cultural disposition of different societies can affect consumer behavior, this study selects consumers from Taiwan and mainland China as respondents in its discussion of cultural heterogeneity in the aforementioned relationships. The results indicate a significant effect of strength of eWOM on purchase intention for respondents from both regions. For respondents from Taiwan, profession of communicator shows a significant effect on purchase intention, while for those from mainland China, profession of recipient exhibits a significant effect on purchase intention. This difference may be attributed to different degrees of consumer trust in online goods, and the cultural differences between these two regions. Under the circumstance of product involvement as a moderator, respondents of both regions display a reduced effect of strength of eWOM on purchase intention, given a high degree of product involvement. This result may be associated with the increased inaccuracy of consumer decision-making resulting from information overload.
The impact of software complexity on cost and quality - A comparative analysis between Open source and proprietary software

Early prediction of software quality is important for better software planning and controlling. In early development phases, design complexity metrics are considered as useful indicators of software testing effort and some quality attributes. Although many studies investigate the relationship between design complexity and cost and quality, it is unclear what we have learned beyond the scope of individual studies. This paper presented a systematic review on the influence of software complexity metrics on quality attributes. We aggregated Spearman correlation coefficients from 59 different data sets from 57 primary studies by a tailored meta-analysis approach. We found that fault proneness and maintainability are most frequently investigated attributes. Chidamber and Kemerer metric suite is most frequently used but not all of them are good quality attribute indicators. Moreover, the impact of these metrics is not different in proprietary and open source projects. The result provides some implications for building quality model across project type