Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intracranial area: a validated method for estimating intracranial volume.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Controlling for intracranial volume is crucial in magnetic resonance studies of changes in brain volumes. However, full intracranial volume measurement requires prolonged scanning and analysis, and simple, validated methods for intracranial volume estimation are lacking. The authors developed and evaluated a method of estimating intracranial volume using a single mid-sagittal slice, the intracranial cross-sectional area. METHODS Forty men aged 65-70 had whole skull magnetic resonance scans at 1.9 T, with slice thickness of 1.5 mm (no interslice gap). Intracranial cross-sectional area was traced in the midline sagittal slice of the 3-view localizer. Intracranial volume was measured using every slice. Ten intracranial cross-sectional area measurements were tested for interrater reliability. RESULTS Intracranial cross-sectional area and intracranial volume correlated highly (r = .88, P < .0001). A modified Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement between intracranial cross-sectional area and intracranial volume. The intraclass correlation (an indicator of reliability) for intracranial cross-sectional area was r = . 976 (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS The rapid and simple technique of intracranial cross-sectional area measurement provides a valid and reliable estimate of intracranial volume.
Determinants of the Repartitioning of Property Rights between the Government and State Enterprises

In moving toward a more market-oriented system, how did China's government and state enterprises partition control rights, incentives, and financial arrangements? In 1980, China's government owned and controlled its state enterprises, which were managed (inefficiently) by bureaucrats. During the 1980s, the government experimented with decentralizing state enterprises to boost productivity. By decade's end, China's state enterprises had become more market-oriented, and the structure of enterprise property rights had changed dramatically. One factor in the move toward a more market-oriented system was the use of performance contracts with incentive components to govern state enterprises. Xu examines how China's government and state enterprises partitioned property rights - how the government and enterprises decided about incentives, financial arrangements, and control rights. Xu assumes that the government is risk-neutral and the enterprise manager is risk-averse; that the government's goal is to increase revenue (or profitability), to retain maximum control of the firms, and to reduce the inequality of income across firms (by bailing out firms in financial trouble and collective heavier taxes on high-performing firms). The enterprise manager and employees, on the other hand, have an informational advantage over the government that allows them to earn a rent; that advantage leads to suboptimal efforts. Among Xu's findings: The government, in striving for equality, rewards inefficient firms while penalizing efficient ones (the so-called ratchet effect). Efficient firms are unwilling to reveal their true efficiency. They pretend to be inefficient by slacking, so they can get more transfers. There are inherent conflicts between two of the government's goals: Profitability and equality. And the government's desire to control state enterprises prevents many of them from becoming decentralized and improving their productivity. Capital-intensive firms depend more on bank loans and less on retained profits, probably reflecting both their greater need for capital and the banks' role in allocating investment funds. Larger firms rely more heavily on the government for investment, their managers have more autonomy, yet the firms are easier to control (it's easier to monitor 100 employees in one firm than to monitor one employee each in 100 firms). This paper - a product of the Finance and Private Sector Development Division, Policy Research Department - is part of a larger effort in the department to understand state-owned enterprise reforms and government behavior.
A functional genomics approach toward the understanding of secondary metabolism in plant cells

Despite the tremendous importance of secondary metabolites for humans as for the plant itself, plant secondary metabolism remains poorly characterized. Here, we present an experimental approach, based on functional genomics, to facilitate gene discovery in plant secondary metabolism. Targeted metabolite analysis was combined with cDNA-amplified fragment length polymorphism-based transcript profiling of jasmonate-elicited tobacco Bright yellow 2 cells. Transcriptome analysis suggested an extensive jasmonate-mediated genetic reprogramming of metabolism, which correlated well with the observed shifts in the biosynthesis of the metabolites investigated. This method, which in addition to transcriptome data also generates gene tags, in the future might lead to the creation of novel tools for metabolic engineering of medicinal plant systems in general.
Leveraging Human Capital

This paper introduces some of the elements of Knowledge Management and outlines the approaches RM Consulting ‐ the internal consultancy of the Royal Mail and the Post Office ‐ is taking to support the development of knowledge enablers within the organization. A Knowledge Management approach is described which focuses on people (including the organizational structure), processes and technology. The initial Knowledge Management focus of the organization is aimed principally on explicit knowledge, and the establishment of tools which help to capture internal information. The long‐term challenge is to capture the knowledge of the organization in such a way that all of its employees can maximize the value they provide to the organization’s stakeholders.
Quality Indicators for the Care of Hypertension in Vulnerable Elders

Providing high quality of care to older adults with hypertension is growing in importance because of improved survival of patients with hypertension into old age and a growing older population at risk for developing systolic hypertension. Hypertension, a condition associated with mortality and functional decline with age, affects 79% of those aged 80 and older. Despite improved treatment of hypertension in the general U.S. population, the older population with hypertension continues to have poorer blood pressure (BP) control than younger populations. This new proposed indicator set for the care of hypertension in vulnerable elders (VEs) reflects two new themes. The first is a shift in emphasis toward the treatment of systolic hypertension (SH), rather than diastolic, because of known risk associated with SH and downstream cardiovascular and mortality benefits of treating SH in older adults. The second addresses systolic BP (SBP) goals, including the goals of therapy for VEs and those in the oldest age groups, that account for individual values and preferences and expected benefits of antihypertensive medications in the context of overall prognosis, multiple morbidities, and risk of adverse drug events.
Object recognition by a complete set of pseudo-Zernike moment invariants

The completeness property of the invariant descriptors, which is of fundamental importance from the theoretical as well as the practical points of views, has been investigated by several research groups. In this paper, we propose a new approach to derive a complete set of pseudo-Zernike moment invariants. We first establish a relationship between the pseudo-Zernike moments of the original image and those of the image having the same shape but distinct orientation and scale. Based on this relationship, a complete set of scale and rotation invariants is derived. Experimental results show that the proposed method has better performance in pattern recognition compared to existing method.
Agency Costs of Controlling Shareholders' Share Collateral with Taiwan Evidence

Controlling shareholders' share collateral is a new source of the deviation of cash flow rights and control rights leading to minority shareholder expropriation. However, controlling shareholders' share collateral is not forbidden and has not received particular restriction leading to its popularity in the capital markets. Neglecting the potential agency costs resulting from controlling shareholders' share collateral would hurt the interests of creditors and minority shareholders. We need legal regulation on controlling shareholders' share collateral to reinforce corporate governance mechanism to protect the interests of creditors and minority shareholders.
Sensory experience during locomotion promotes recovery of function in adult visual cortex

Recovery from sensory deprivation is slow and incomplete in adult visual cortex. In this study, we show that visual stimulation during locomotion, which increases the gain of visual responses in primary visual cortex, dramatically enhances recovery in the mouse. Excitatory neurons regained normal levels of response, while narrow-spiking (inhibitory) neurons remained less active. Visual stimulation or locomotion alone did not enhance recovery. Responses to the particular visual stimuli viewed by the animal during locomotion recovered, while those to another normally effective stimulus did not, suggesting that locomotion promotes the recovery only of the neural circuits that are activated concurrent with the locomotion. These findings may provide an avenue for improving recovery from amblyopia in humans. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.02798. 001
The Dynamic Distribution of TrkB Receptors before, during, and after Synapse Formation between Cortical Neurons

Although brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) potently regulates neuronal connectivity in the developing CNS, the mechanism by which BDNF influences the formation and/or maintenance of glutamatergic synapses remains unknown. Details about the subcellular localization of the BDNF receptor, TrkB, relative to synaptic and nonsynaptic proteins on excitatory neurons should provide insight into how BDNF might exert its effects during synapse formation. Here, we investigated the subcellular localization of tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) relative to synaptic vesicle-associated proteins and NMDA receptors using immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, and time-lapse imaging in dissociated cultures of cortical neurons before, during, and after the peak of synapse formation. We find that TrkB is present in puncta on the surface and intracellularly in both dendrites and axons throughout development. Before synapse formation, some TrkB puncta in dendrites colocalize with NMDA receptors, and almost all TrkB puncta in axons colocalize with synaptic vesicle proteins. Clusters of TrkB fused to the enhanced green fluorescent protein (TrkB-EGFP) are highly mobile in both axons and dendrites. In axons, TrkB-EGFP dynamics are almost identical to vesicle-associated protein (VAMP2-EGFP), and these proteins are often transported together. Finally, surface TrkB is found in structures that actively participate in synapse formation: axonal growth cones and dendritic filopodia. Over time, surface TrkB becomes enriched at glutamatergic synapses, which contain both catalytic and truncated TrkB. These results suggest that TrkB is in the right place at the right time to play a direct role in the formation of glutamatergic synapses between cortical neurons.
Distributed Cooperative Reinforcement Learning-Based Traffic Signal Control That Integrates V2X Networks’ Dynamic Clustering

With the acceleration of urbanization in the world, urban traffic congestion has become an urgent challenge in most cities. Adaptive traffic signal control is the most approved control method to solve the problem, and accurate real-time traffic information is critical to this solution. This paper presents distributed cooperative reinforcement learning-based traffic control that integrates V2X networks’ dynamic clustering algorithm. To obtain traffic flow information accurately and instantaneously, it is important to improve the cluster stability in V2X networks. A dynamic clustering algorithm is proposed based on the enhanced affinity propagation. The proposed clustering algorithm introduces the initial cluster partition to maintain a proper cluster size and adds the lane and destination factors to improve the cluster's stability. The algorithm can provide efficient and accurate traffic state information to traffic signal controls. By integrating the clustering algorithm, a cooperative reinforcement learning control scheme is proposed to balance the traffic load. To address the tough dimensionality curse of reinforcement learning, a distributed mechanism for intersection cooperation is introduced, and a fast gradient-descent function approximation method is proposed to improve the controls’ real-time performance. The proposed intelligent traffic control scheme that integrates the stable clustering algorithm can effectively improve the traffic throughput, reduce the average waiting time, and avoid congestion. Numerical simulations on real scenarios validate the performance of the proposed approach.
World Bank Trade Adjustment Loans and Export Policy Distortions

Abstract This work investigates whether World Bank loans fostering trade liberalization are associated with less distorted export policies, by employing some gravity model‐based measures of anti‐export bias, and a Herfindhal index of export revenues concentration. When accounting for non‐random selection in a sample of 88 developing countries over the period 1980‐2000, the receipt of trade adjustment loans seems to have reduced the policy distortion under scrutiny. Such a beneficial influence, however, vanishes when a longer time horizon is considered, casting doubts on the country ownership of waves of liberalizations supported by the Bank.
Tax Incentives, Stabilization Policy and the Proportional Replacement Hypothesis: Some Negative Conclusions

analyzed gross investment as the sum of two components: 1) net investment by which firms adjust their actual capital stock toward a desired level and 2) replacement investment proportional to the actual capital stock.1 There has now been substantial discussion about the specification of the desired capital stock and about the dynamics of adjustment to this desired capital stock (e.g., [1; 2; 4; 6; 8; 10; 15; 21; 25]). The current paper deals instead with the second component of aggregate investment demand, the replacement investment. The proportional replacement hypothesis (P.R.H.) incorporated in previous studies has important implications about the response of gross investment to tax incentives. By definition it indicates that an initial increase in net investment is followed immedi-
Could being in the European Union save lives? An econometric analysis of the Common Road Safety Policy for the EU-27

Traffic safety has become a major component of European transport policies. But the road to a real Common European Road Safety Policy has been a long one. The notion of Europeanization might help to describe the European Union (EU)'s impact on national policies, although the process differs from other transport sectors. The objective of this article is to explain the effect of the EU road safety policy on domestic road mortality rates in the EU-27. Using data on European countries for the 2000–2009 period we analyse how EU traffic safety policies, institutions and networks facilitate and encourage the learning process in the individual countries. This timeframe coincides with the 2001 White Paper and the third European Road Safety Action Programme (ERSAP), both of which are crucial for constructing the Common Road Safety Policy.
Agency Theory and Life Insurer Ownership Structure

This article uses the insights of agency theory to analyze ownership structures in the life-health insurance industry. We examine operational, financial, and institutional determinants of ownership structure. We simultaneously test hypotheses regarding the owner-manager incentive conflict and the owner-policyholder incentive conflict. Our results demonstrate systematic differences between the activity choices of stock life insurers and mutual life insurers, consistent with the managerial discretion hypothesis. We also find that mutuals are more likely to be licensed in New York, stock firms are more likely to be organized as groups, mutuals are more likely to have high A. M. Best ratings, and older insurers are more likely to be mutuals.
CRIL: An Efficient Online Adaptive Indoor Localization System

Indoor localization or indoor positioning systems find their use in many important applications such as augmented reality, guided tours, tracking and monitoring, and situational awareness and have recently attracted intense research interests. Previous localization systems are usually received signal strength indication (RSSI)-based, inertial navigation system (INS)-based, or an integration of these two. However, few of them can account for dynamic communication environments, where channel states constantly change. To the best of our knowledge, this paper is the first to propose an efficient and adaptive indoor localization system called coupled RSSI and INS localization (CRIL), which can adapt to dynamic communication environments quickly and effectively. Moreover, CRIL can account for the uncertainties in RSSI measurements such as varying covariances and outliers as well. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our proposed CRIL system is able to track both slow changes and sudden changes of the channel states in dynamic environments. Noticeably, the proposed CRIL can perform accurate localization with estimation errors up to $\text{1} \, \mathrm{m}$, while previous schemes’ localization errors are up to several meters or even tens of meters. Moreover, we test CRIL in real experiments, and its localization error is up to 3 m in dynamic environments.
Government Bond Market Seasonality, Diversification, and Cointegration: International Evidence

Using government bond market data for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan, I investigate several hypotheses. Market efficiency is investigated by testing for seasonality and cointegration. The seasonality results are mixed. In regression tests, a January effect is detected in several markets (United States, Germany, France, United Kingdom, and Canada) using local currencies. However, in a nonparametric test, the January effect is supported only for France. When U.S. dollar returns are used, regression results also reveal a January effect for several markets (United States, Germany, France, and United Kingdom). These results are not confirmed by a nonparametric test. Correlation analysis shows considerable diversification opportunities for short-term investors. Cointegration tests indicate that several of the markets share cointegrating vectors, increasing the possibilities of using other endogenous bond markets to better predict movements in a particular market. Southern Finance Association and the Southwestern Finance Association.
Chemical and topographical patterning of hydrogels for neural cell guidance in vitro

This review focuses on hydrogels and their patterning techniques in relation to central nervous system applications, with emphasis on synthetic and natural materials and chemical and topographical patterning techniques. We describe the properties of hydrogel materials and various techniques used in hydrogel patterning methods. Also, the applicability and utilization of patterned hydrogels with neural cells is discussed. Surface chemistry and topography significantly affect cell behaviour, including cell attachment, migration and maturation. Although several patterning techniques are described in the literature, a review of techniques applicable to hydrogel materials is needed. Use of these patterned cell–hydrogel constructs might provide novel ways to treat central nervous system deficits in the future. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low sex hormone-binding globulin as a predictive marker for insulin resistance in women with hyperandrogenic syndrome.

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study is to assess insulin resistance (IR) in women with hyperandrogenic syndrome, which was suggested to replace the term polycystic ovary syndrome by the Androgen Excess Society, and to evaluate whether sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) can be used as a predictive marker of IR in hyperandrogenic women. METHODS Clinical, metabolic, and endocrine parameters were measured, and an oral glucose tolerance test was carried out. The women were classified as IR group or non-IR group, in accordance with defined cutoff points for the homeostatic model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) at > or =2.5, the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index at < or = 0.33, and the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI) at < or = 5. RESULTS The women classified as having IR had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and free androgen index (FAI) and showed significantly lower SHBG and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, regardless of the indices used. However, with the Matsuda ISI, generally more women were diagnosed as having IR, and this group had significantly higher total testosterone and triglyceride values, as well as a higher incidence of hirsutism. CONCLUSIONS Women who were classified as being insulin resistant using insulin sensitivity indices showed significantly higher BMI and FAI values and lower SHBG and HDL levels. However, the Matsuda ISI may be more favorable for identifying IR in hyperandrogenic women. SHBG may serve as a predictive marker of IR in these women, particularly in those who are obese.
Transcriptional Analysis of theStaphylococcus aureus Penicillin Binding Protein 2 Gene

ABSTRACT Sequencing of the vicinity of the staphylococcal pbp2gene and transcriptional analysis by primer extension and promoter fusions were used to show that pbp2 is part of an operon that also includes a gene with high homology to prfA ofBacillus subtilis. Two distinct promoters were identified directing transcription of pbp2 either alone or together with prfA. It was recently reported that transposon inactivation of pbp2 causes a reduction in methicillin resistance, but complementation experiments were not fully successful. We now show that introduction of the intact pbp2 gene with its two newly identified promoters into the chromosome of the transposon mutant resulted in the full recovery of high-level methicillin resistance.
Silicon and Silicon-Related Surfaces for Biosensor Applications

Biosensing systems, such as enzyme, immunosensors, and DNA microarrays, are widely used in the field of medical care and medicine manufacturing [Spochiger-Kuller, 1998]. Recent developments in these devices require a high performance integrated micro-multibiosensing system, which can be employed for the recognition of an individual biomolecule and the analysis of bioreactions at the single molecular level. Constructing a highly sensitive biosensing system, precise fabrication of the electrode parts for molecular recognition is of significant importance. In these context, organic monolayers have self-assemble ability onto surfaces [Ulman, 1991]. Monolayer-modified electrode is suitable as the template for ordered immobilization of biomolecules. On the other hand, it is preferable that the detection system can detect the signal immediately, with a high sensitivity. Formation of covalently-bound organic monolayers has been particularly developed in the last two decades. The main benefit of organic monolayers is to add functionality to inorganic surface via the adaptable tailoring of surface properties. These monolayers keep the bulk features of the material (electrical, optical, magnetic, mechanical and structural), while their surface properties (wetting, passivation, bioresistance, biochemical affinity, etc.) can be tuned through a nanometer-sized grafting. This chapter provides substantial information on modification of silicon and silicon-related surfaces by organic monolayers to get the reader acquainted with the different techniques employed in tailoring the surface properties towards biosensing capability.