Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Rostrocaudal functional gradient among the pre‐dorsal premotor cortex, dorsal premotor cortex and primary motor cortex in goal‐directed motor behaviour

The dorsal premotor cortex residing in the dorsolateral aspect of area 6 is a rostrocaudally elongated area that is rostral to the primary motor cortex (M1) and caudal to the prefrontal cortex. This region, which is subdivided into rostral [pre‐dorsal premotor cortex (pre‐PMd)] and caudal [dorsal premotor cortex proper (PMd)] components, probably plays a central role in planning and executing actions to achieve a behavioural goal. In the present study, we investigated the functional specializations of the pre‐PMd, PMd, and M1, because the synthesis of the specific functions performed by each area is considered to be essential. Neurons were recorded while monkeys performed a conditional visuo‐goal task designed to include separate processes for determining a behavioural goal (reaching towards a right or left potential target) on the basis of visual object instructions, specifying actions (direction of reaching) to be performed on the basis of the goal, and preparing and executing the action. Neurons in the pre‐PMd and PMd retrieved and maintained behavioural goals without encoding the visual features of the visual object instructions, and subsequently specified the actions by multiplexing the goals with the locations of the targets. Furthermore, PMd and M1 neurons played a major role in representing the action during movement preparation and execution, whereas the contribution of the pre‐PMd progressively decreased as the time of the actual execution of the movement approached. These findings revealed that the multiple processing stages necessary for the realization of an action to accomplish a goal were implemented in an area‐specific manner across a functional gradient from the pre‐PMd to M1 that included the PMd as an intermediary.
Enzymatic Primer-Extension with Glycerol-Nucleoside Triphosphates on DNA Templates

Background Glycerol nucleic acid (GNA) has an acyclic phosphoglycerol backbone repeat-unit, but forms stable duplexes based on Watson-Crick base-pairing. Because of its structural simplicity, GNA is of particular interest with respect to the possibility of evolving functional polymers by in vitro selection. Template-dependent GNA synthesis is essential to any GNA-based selection system. Principal Findings In this study, we investigated the ability of various DNA polymerases to use glycerol-nucleoside triphosphates (gNTPs) as substrates for GNA synthesis on DNA templates. Therminator DNA polymerase catalyzes quantitative primer-extension by the incorporation of two glyceronucleotides, with much less efficient extension up to five glyceronucleotides. Steady-state kinetic experiments suggested that GNA synthesis by Therminator was affected by both decreased catalytic rates and weakened substrate binding, especially for pyrimidines. In an attempt to improve pyrimidine incorporation by providing additional stacking interactions, we synthesized two new gNTP analogs with 5-propynyl substituted pyrimidine nucleobases. This led to more efficient incorporation of gC, but not gT. Conclusions We suggest that directed evolution of Therminator might lead to mutants with improved substrate binding and catalytic efficiency.
Wave Reflections, Assessed With a Novel Method for Pulse Wave Separation, Are Associated With End-Organ Damage and Clinical Outcomes

We recently developed a novel method for assessment of arterial wave reflections (ARCSolver method): based on adopted Windkessel methods, flow curves are estimated from pressure waveforms, and wave separation analysis is performed, yielding the amplitudes of the forward and backward waves. The aim of this study was to investigate their clinical correlates and prognostic impact. In 725 patients (417 men; mean age, 64 years) undergoing coronary angiography, we determined wave reflections from radial tonometry and transfer function-derived aortic waveforms using pulse wave analysis, as well as wave separation analysis. Measures of pulsatile arterial function were statistically significant, although moderately associated with markers of cardiac load and subclinic cardiac, renal, and aortic end-organ damage. After a median follow-up duration of 1399 days, 139 patients reached the combined cardiovascular end point (death, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary, cerebrovascular, and peripheral revascularization). In univariate analysis, the relative risk of the combined end point increased with increasing levels of incident pressure wave height, augmented pressure, and forward and backward wave amplitude (hazard ratio for 1 SD was 1.302, 1.236, 1.226, and 1.276; P<0.01 for all, respectively). In multivariate analysis, backward wave amplitude was the most consistent predictor of the combined end point. Of note, its predictive value was independent of brachial systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressures and was superior to brachial pulse pressure. In conclusion, the amplitude of the reflected wave, as assessed with a novel method for wave separation, is associated with hypertensive end organ damage and is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.
A WAM implementation for flexible query answering

In [7] Maria I. Sessa extended the SLD resolution principle with the ability of performing approximate reasoning and flexible query answering. The operational mechanism of similarity-based SLD resolution can be used as the basis for a new logic language that allows to manage uncertain and imprecise information in a declarative framework, hence its importance. Similarity-based SLD resolution can be seen as an extension of the classical SLD resolution procedure where the syntactic unification algorithm has been replaced by a fuzzy unification algorithm. In this paper we address the problem of adapting the implementation of a WAM to incorporate fuzzy unification. As a result, we obtain a Prolog implementation based on similarity relations that we call S-Prolog. To the best of our knowledge this is the first WAM implementation that supports similarity-based SLD resolution.
Perspectives on Human Memory and Cognitive Aging : Essays in Honor of Fergus Craik

M. Naveh-Benjamin, M. Moscovitch, H.L. Roediger, III, Prologue/Preface. Part I: Levels of Processing and Memory Theory. M.J. Watkins, Introduction. E. Tulving, Does Memory Encoding Exist? H.L. Roediger, III, D.A. Gallo, Levels of Processing: Some Unanswered Questions. B.M. Velichkovsky, Levels of Processing: Validating the Concept J.M. Gardiner, A. Richardson-Klavehn, C. Ramponi, B.M Brooks, Involuntary Levels of Processing Effects in Perceptual and Conceptual Priming. B.A. Levy, Fluent Text Processing: Using Memory Representations to Explore Reading Skills. R.S. Lockhart, Discussion. Part II: Working Memory and Attention. M.T. Turvey, Introduction. Working Memory. A.D. Baddeley, Levels of Working Memory. T. Shallice, Deconstructing "Retrieval Mode". Working Memory and Aging. J.M. McDowd, Levels of Processing in Selective Attention and Inhibition: Age Differences and Similarities. D.C. Park, T. Hedden, Working Memory and Aging. M. Daneman, Discussion. Attention at Encoding and Retrieval. M. Moscovitch, Divided Attention, Memory and Neuropsychology. M. Naveh-Benjamin, The Effects of Divided Attention on Encoding Processes: Underlying Mechanisms. N.D. Anderson, The Attentional Demands and Attentional Control of Encoding and Retrieval. C.M. MacLeod, Discussion. Part III: Aging. A.S. Benjamin, Introduction. Age-related Changes in Memory. L.L. Jacoby, E.L. Marsh, P.O. Dolan, Forms of Bias: Age Related Differences in Memory. L-G. Nilsson, Aging, Cognition, and Health. E.L. Glisky, Source Memory, Aging, and the Frontal Lobes. Age-related Changes in Perception and Cognition. T.A. Salthouse, The Broader Context of Craik's Self Initiated Processing Hypothesis. L. Hasher, S.T. Tonev, C. Lustig, Inhibitory Control, Environmental Support, and Self-initiated Processing in Aging. B.A. Schneider, Sensation, Cognition, and Levels of Processing in Aging. L.L. Light, Discussion. Part IV: Neuroscience Perspectives: Memory and Aging. Memory and Aging. A. Randal McIntosh, Introduction. C.L. Grady, Age-related Changes in the Functional Neuroanatomy of Memory. D.T. Stuss, M.A. Binns, Aging: Lot an Escarpment, but Multiple Slopes. P. Vidailhet, B.K. Chrisensen, J.M Danion, S. Kapur, Episodic Memory Impairment in Schizophrenia: A View from Cognitive Psychopathology. W. Koutstaal, D.L. Schacter, Memory Distortion and Aging. G. Winocur, Discussion.
Servperf versus Servqual: Reconciling Performance-Based and Perceptions-Minus-Expectations Measurement of Service Quality

The authors respond to concerns raised by Parasuraman, Zeithaml, and Berry (1994) about the relative efficacy of performance-based and perceptions-minus-expectations measures of service quality. They demonstrate that the major concerns voiced by these authors are supported neither by a critical review of their discussion nor the emerging literature. Several research issues relative to service quality measurement and strategic decision making also are identified.
Research and Practice in Distance Education for K-12 Students with Disabilities

This review of literature highlights the empirical work to date in the area of K-12 distance education and online learning. While research indicates that distance and online learning can be equally effective as compared to more traditional learning environments for many students, there is little empirical evidence to suggest that previously validated face-to-face best practices can be effective in the online environment or if students with disabilities have similarly parallel experiences. Technology/media—the debate as to whether it is a part of instructional design or an inert component of the learning environment seems to be ending as the sophistication of technology changes the very nature of instruction and demonstrates the need for empirically validating practices in this new environment. The potential impact on rural schools and districts is of particular import in light of their often-critical need for access to qualified teachers and advanced coursework for their students. We conclude with considerations for research including lingering questions as well as a call for action on the part of educational researchers.
Corporate Governance, Islamic Governance and Earnings Management in Oman: A New Empirical Insights from a Behavioural Theoretical Framework

Purpose: This paper examines the impact of corporate (CG) and Islamic (IG) governance mechanisms on corporate earnings management (EM) behaviour in Oman. Design/Methodology/Approch: We employ one of the largest and extensive datasets to-date on CG, IG and EM in any developing country, consisting of a sample of 116 unique Omani listed corporations from 2001 to 2011 (i.e.,1,152 firm-year observations) and a broad CG index containing 72 CG provisions. We also employ a number of robust econometric models that sufficiently account for alternative CG/EM proxies and potential endogeneities.Findings: First, we find that, on average, better-governed corporations tend to engage significantly less in EM than their poorly-governed counterparts. Second, our evidence suggests that corporations that depict greater commitment towards incorporating Islamic religious beliefs and values into their operations through the establishment of an IG committee tend to engage significantly less in EM than their counterparts without such a committee. Finally and by contrast, we do not find any evidence that board size, audit firm size, the presence of a CG committee and board gender diversity have any significant relationship with the extent of EM. Originality: To the best of our knowledge, this is a first empirical attempt at examining the extent to which CG and IG structures may drive EM practices that explicitly seeks to draw new insights from a behavioural theoretical framework (i.e., behavioural theory of corporate boards and governance).
Deep Poisson Factorization Machines: factor analysis for mapping behaviors in journalist ecosystem

Newsroom in online ecosystem is difficult to untangle. With prevalence of social media, interactions between journalists and individuals become visible, but lack of understanding to inner processing of information feedback loop in public sphere leave most journalists baffled. Can we provide an organized view to characterize journalist behaviors on individual level to know better of the ecosystem? To this end, I propose Poisson Factorization Machine (PFM), a Bayesian analogue to matrix factorization that assumes Poisson distribution for generative process. The model generalizes recent studies on Poisson Matrix Factorization to account temporal interaction which involves tensor-like structure, and label information. Two inference procedures are designed, one based on batch variational EM and another stochastic variational inference scheme that efficiently scales with data size. An important novelty in this note is that I show how to stack layers of PFM to introduce a deep architecture. This work discusses some potential results applying the model and explains how such latent factors may be useful for analyzing latent behaviors for data exploration.
Proactive certificate validation for VANETs

Security and privacy in Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) mandates use of short-lived credentials (pseudonyms) and cryptographic key pairs. This implies significant computational overhead for vehicles, needing to validate often numerous such pseudonyms within a short period. To alleviate such a bottleneck that could even place vehicle safety at risk, we propose a proactive pseudonym validation approach based on Bloom Filters (BFs). We show that our scheme could liberate computational resources for other (safety- and time-critical) operations with reasonable communication overhead without compromising security and privacy.
Complement Component 3: an assessment of association with AMD and analysis of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in a Northern Irish cohort

Purpose A non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in complement component 3 has been shown to increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We assess its effect on AMD risk in a Northern Irish sample, test for gene–gene and gene–environment interaction, and review a risk prediction model. Methods SNP rs2230199 was genotyped in 1,358 samples, which comprised 437 cases, 436 no-disease controls, and 485 participants randomly sampled from the Northern Ireland population. Allele frequencies were assessed in cases and controls. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess interaction and develop a risk prediction model. Results We report a minor allele frequency of 0.248 for rs2230199 in the population (n=485), 0.296 in cases (n=437), and 0.221 in controls (n=436; odds ratio [OR]=1.48; confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–1.85; p=0.0003). The significant association is retained following multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, smoking status, Complement Factor H (CFH), Age-Related Maculopathy Susceptibility 2 (ARMS2), Complement Component 2 (CC2), and Complement Factor B (CFB; OR=1.45; CI: 1.10–1.91; p=0.009). No evidence to support an interaction between any of the covariates within the regression model was found. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve calculated for the fully adjusted model, including all variables, was 0.86 for late AMD. Conclusions Our study confirmed the association between Complement Component 3 (C3) and late-stage AMD. There was no evidence for an interaction with environmental exposures, nor did we find data to support a gene–gene effect.
p62/Sequestosome-1, Autophagy-related Gene 8, and Autophagy in Drosophila Are Regulated by Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (NRF2), Independent of Transcription Factor TFEB*

Background: A possible role of Drosophila Nrf2/CncC in regulating p62/Ref(2)P and autophagy upon oxidative stress is unknown. Results: Both p62/Ref(2)P and DmAtg8a are positively regulated by the oxidative stress-induced transcription factor Nrf2/CncC. Conclusion: The oxidative stress response is directly linked to autophagy induction in several tissues in flies. Significance: Nrf2/CncC induces autophagy in flies and may regulate autophagic activity in other organisms. The selective autophagy receptor p62/sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1) interacts directly with LC3 and is involved in oxidative stress signaling in two ways in mammals. First, p62 is transcriptionally induced upon oxidative stress by the NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) by direct binding to an antioxidant response element in the p62 promoter. Second, p62 accumulation, occurring when autophagy is impaired, leads to increased p62 binding to the NRF2 inhibitor KEAP1, resulting in reduced proteasomal turnover of NRF2. This gives chronic oxidative stress signaling through a feed forward loop. Here, we show that the Drosophila p62/SQSTM1 orthologue, Ref(2)P, interacts directly with DmAtg8a via an LC3-interacting region motif, supporting a role for Ref(2)P in selective autophagy. The ref(2)P promoter also contains a functional antioxidant response element that is directly bound by the NRF2 orthologue, CncC, which can induce ref(2)P expression along with the oxidative stress-associated gene gstD1. However, distinct from the situation in mammals, Ref(2)P does not interact directly with DmKeap1 via a KEAP1-interacting region motif; nor does ectopically expressed Ref(2)P or autophagy deficiency activate the oxidative stress response. Instead, DmAtg8a interacts directly with DmKeap1, and DmKeap1 is removed upon programmed autophagy in Drosophila gut cells. Strikingly, CncC induced increased Atg8a levels and autophagy independent of TFEB/MitF in fat body and larval gut tissues. Thus, these results extend the intimate relationship between oxidative stress-sensing NRF2/CncC transcription factors and autophagy and suggest that NRF2/CncC may regulate autophagic activity in other organisms too.
Take Back Your Marriage: Sticking Together in a World That Pulls Us Apart

Introduction. Take Back Your Marriage. Resisting Consumer Marriage. Don't Lose Your Marriage to Your Kids. Take Back Time for Your Marriage. Resist Family and Friends Who Would Undermine Your Marriage. Resist Therapists Who Threaten Your Marriage. Preventing Unnecessary Divorce. Intentional Marriage: Connection Rituals in Everyday Life. Intentional Marriage: Love Rituals. Intentional Marriage: Anniversaries and Other Special Occasions. Every Marriage Supported by a Community. Taking Action for Your Marriage.
An Effective Approach for Glycan Structure De Novo Sequencing From HCD Spectra

Mass spectrometry has become a widely used analytical technique for proteomics study because of its high throughput and sensitivity. Among those applications, a specific one is to characterize glycan structure. Glycosylation is a frequently occurred post-translational modification of proteins which is relevant to humans' health. Therefore, it is significant to develop effective computational methods to automate the identification of glycan structures from mass spectral data. In our research, we mathematically formulated the glycan de novo sequencing problem and proposed a heuristic algorithm for glycan de novo sequencing from HCD MS/MS spectra of N-linked glycopeptides. The algorithm proceeds in a carefully designate pathway to construct the best matched tree structure from MS/MS spectrum. Experimental results showed that our proposed approach can effectively identify glycan structures from HCD MS/MS spectra.
Comparison of substrate effects in sapphire, trap-rich and high resistivity silicon substrates for RF-SOI applications

This paper compares insertion loss, harmonics and Q-factor of sapphire, trap-rich silicon and high-resistivity silicon substrates. The concept of substrate characteristic frequency is shown to be useful metric to evaluate substrate behavior. New methods to evaluate substrate properties are introduced using open CPW stubs and parallel plate capacitors. It is demonstrated that sapphire provides the best RF performance, while trap-rich silicon offers limited but adequate performance with a resistivity around a few kΩ-cm. High-resistivity silicon provides the worst RF performance due to unmitigated parasitic conduction.
The Pecking Order, Debt Capacity, and Information Asymmetry

We quantify the empirical relevance of the pecking order hypothesis using a novel empirical model and testing strategy that addresses statistical power concerns with previous tests. While the classificatory ability of the pecking order varies significantly depending on whether one interprets the hypothesis in a strict or liberal (e.g., "modified" pecking order) manner, the pecking order is never able to accurately classify more than half of the observed financing decisions. However, when we expand the model to incorporate factors typically attributed to alternative theories, the predictive accuracy of the model increases dramatically--accurately classifying over 80% of the observed debt and equity issuances. Finally, we show that what little pecking order behavior can be found in the data is driven more by incentive conflicts, as opposed to information asymmetry.
On a sort of new grey incidence models

Based on the definition of absolute degree of grey incidence, which put forward by Professor Liu in 1992, a kind of new models for grey incidence analysis is given in this paper. The interrelations and influence can be measured by the new models with different visual angle of comparability and closeness respectively. And a simplified method to calculate the similitude degree of grey incidence and the close degree of grey incidence are put forward and proved. The properties of the new models grey incidence analysis are studied. Compared with the original definition, the new models for grey incidence analysis with many advantages and are prone to practical applications.
Essential elements for assessment of persons with severe neurological impairments for computer access utilizing assistive technology devices: A Delphi study

Purpose. The objective of this study was to determine prospective elements that should comprise a comprehensive and valid assessment of persons with severe disabilities for access to computers utilizing assistive technology (AT). Currently, there is a lack of guidelines regarding areas that permit a satisfactory measure of a person's need for AT devices to enable computer access, resulting in substandard services. Method. A list of criteria for elements that should be incorporated into an instrument for determining AT for computer access was compiled from a literature review in the areas of neuroscience, rehabilitation, and education; and a Delphi study using an electronic survey form that was e-mailed to a panel of experts in the field of AT. Only those areas rated as essential to the assessment process (‘very important’ or ‘important’ by 80% of the respondents) were chosen as important criteria for an assessment instrument. Results. The initial Delphi survey contained 22 categories (54 subcategories or elements) for incorporation into an assessment for computer access. The second round of the survey completed the Delphi process resulting in a consensus for inclusion of 39 of the elements in an assessment instrument. Conclusions. There are inherent obstacles to prescribing the proper AT device to assist disabled persons with computer access due to the complexity of his/her condition, and the multitude of technological devices available to aid persons in accomplishing diverse tasks. This study reveals the intricacy of the assessment process, especially in persons with severe disabilities associated with neurological conditions. An assessment instrument should be broad ranging, integrating both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, considering the multidimensional nature of AT prescription for computer access.