Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evidence that altered amygdala activity in schizophrenia is related to clinical state and not genetic risk.

OBJECTIVE Although amygdala dysfunction is reported in schizophrenia, it is unknown whether this deficit represents a heritable phenotype that is related to risk for schizophrenia or whether it is related to disease state. The purpose of the present study was to examine amygdala response to threatening faces among healthy siblings of schizophrenia patients in whom a subtler heritable deficit might be observed. METHOD Participants were 34 schizophrenia patients, 29 unaffected siblings, and 20 healthy comparison subjects. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was conducted during an implicit facial information processing task. The N-back working memory task, which has been shown to elicit prefrontal cortex abnormalities in unaffected siblings of schizophrenia patients, was employed as a positive experimental control. RESULTS Schizophrenia patients demonstrated a deficit in amygdala reactivity to negative face stimuli and an alteration, correlated with neuroleptic drug dosage, in the functional coupling between the amygdala and subgenual cingulate. In contrast, unaffected siblings showed a pattern that was not statistically different from that of healthy comparison subjects. During the N-back working memory task, both schizophrenia patients and their unaffected siblings demonstrated a pattern of inefficient prefrontal cortex engagement, which is consistent with earlier evidence that this pattern is related to genetic risk for schizophrenia. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that the pathophysiological mechanism underlying the inability of individuals with schizophrenia to normally engage the amygdala in processing fearful and angry facial representations is more likely a phenomenon related to the disease state, specifically to treatment.
Single-molecule inhibition of human kinesin by adociasulfate-13 and -14 from the sponge Cladocroce aculeata

Significance Kinesin motor proteins are central to cellular processes and considered good drug targets, but very few reported kinesin inhibitors exhibit potential as drugs. Adociasulfates uniquely inhibit kinesins by competing with microtubules for binding. A declining interest in these compounds resulted from a report of large aggregates of adociasulfate-2 responsible for kinesin inhibition, poor cell permeability, and broad kinesin inhibition, limiting potential therapeutic applications. In this study, we show that kinesin inhibition is likely a 1:1 interaction and does not involve aggregates. We suggest a means by which cell permeability may be improved and show that adociasulfates inhibit kinesin-1 and -5 families of motors to a significantly different extent. These results collectively bring adociasulfates back to the foreground of chemical biology. Two merotriterpenoid hydroquinone sulfates designated adociasulfate-13 (1) and adociasulfate-14 (2) were purified from Cladocroce aculeata (Chalinidae) along with adociasulfate-8. All three compounds were found to inhibit microtubule-stimulated ATPase activity of kinesin at 15 µM by blocking both the binding of microtubules and the processive motion of kinesin along microtubules. These findings directly show that substitution of the 5′-sulfate in 1 for a glycolic acid moiety in 2 maintains kinesin inhibition. Nomarski imaging and bead diffusion assays in the presence of adociasulfates showed no signs of either free-floating or bead-bound adociasulfate aggregates. Single-molecule biophysical experiments also suggest that inhibition of kinesin activity does not involve adociasulfate aggregation. Furthermore, both mitotic and nonmitotic kinesins are inhibited by adociasulfates to a significantly different extent. We also report evidence that microtubule binding of nonkinesin microtubule binding domains may be affected by adociasulfates.
Discovering quiescent meanings in technologies: exploring the design management practices that support the development of Technology Epiphanies

ABSTRACT In contemporary business and academia, design has been increasingly viewed as an important strategic asset such that several scholars and executives have recently investigated the links among design, innovation and competitive advantage. Indeed, recent and emerging literature streams are exploring the potential contribution design can provide in valorising and differently adopting new or existing technologies [Dell’Era, Marchesi, and Verganti 2010. “Mastering Technologies in Design-Driven Innovation – How Two Italian Companies Made Design a Central Part of their Innovation Process. ” Research Technology Management 53 (2): 12–23 Buganza et al. 2015. “Unveiling the Potentialities Provided by New Technologies: A Process to Pursue Technology Epiphanies in the Smartphone App Industry. ” Creativity and Innovation Management 24 (3): 391–414]. This paper aims to investigate the design managerial practices able to support Technology Epiphanies, which are defined as the discovery of quiescent meanings in new or existing technologies [Verganti 2009. Design-Driven Innovation. Changing the Rules of Competition by Radically Innovating What Things Mean. Boston: Harvard Business Press]. The paper relies on four in-depth case studies developed by both primary and secondary sources: Nintendo, Kartell, Technogym and KUKA Robotics. The paper identifies three design management practices that can guide managers in the development of Technology Epiphanies: interpreting technology as an enabling platform, building double-sided network and accessing new knowledge domains.
Economic costs and quality of life in chronic inflammatory neuropathies in southeast England

Cost‐of‐illness studies and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) measurements are needed to assess the effects of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and paraproteinaemic demyelinating neuropathy (PDN) on society.
An Empirical Implementation of CreditGrades

We use the CreditGrades credit risk model to value credit default swap (CDS) spreads for public companies at the intersection of the S&P 100 index and Moody's Bottom Rung report for the global financial crisis period from 2007Q3 to 2009Q2. We implement this canonical credit risk model in accordance with the *CreditGrades technical document* jointly developed by Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and RiskMetrics. Our empirical study focuses on the strengths and weaknesses of the chosen risk model by analyzing the main empirical results with several complementary statistical and qualitative tests for better triangulation.
Public Service Motivation: Incidence and Antecedents in Pakistan

The deteriorated performance of public service deliveries in Pakistan is a multifaceted problem. One of the possible solutions could be a reliance on the motivation of public sector employees to serve their fellow citizens. This type of motivation is called public service motivation (PSM), which is a multidimensional construct. However, the very existence and the variation of PSM are dependent upon the socio-historical conditions of a country. Keeping in view the scarcity of research about the concept of PSM in Pakistan, this study has answered two empirical questions. First is about the existence, and the second is about the antecedents of PSM in Pakistan. Data were collected using a self-completion questionnaire. Both descriptive statistics and linear regression were used to analyze the data. The findings support a modest role of demographic and organizational factors in shaping the PSM of employees. Out of twelve independent variables, two demographic variables (Education and Gender) and three organizational variables (Supervisory Support, Formalization, and Effort) were significant correlates. Effort, Formalization, Gender, and Education were negatively correlated, while Supervisory Support was positively correlated with the dependent variables. A positive correlation of Supervisory Support and negative correlation of Formalization with PSM points out the need for human relations approach in government sector to improve efficiency, while the negative correlation of Education with PSM and its dimension suggests the need to revisit the system of education in Pakistan; a negative correlation of Gender with CPI suggests that the values of public sphere should be inculcated in women workforce, which is now joining public sphere in significant
Excessive substance use among young people consulting family doctors: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND Family doctors can only play a role in the prevention of excessive substance use in young people if those affected are seen in the practice. OBJECTIVE To describe the prevalence of excessive substance use among young people consulting family doctors in a European context. METHODS As part of a trial of an intervention addressing substance use we collected data from young people consulting 32 family doctors in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Before the consultation, consecutive patients aged 15-24 years completed a self-administered questionnaire on their general health and substance use. Outcomes were excessive alcohol (defined as ≥1 episode of binge drinking), excessive cannabis (use ≥1/week), regular tobacco (≥1 cigarettes a day) and/or any other substance use in the past 30 days. Prevalence data were computed with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for clustering within practices, stratified by age and gender. RESULTS Between February 2009 and November 2010, 636 patients were eligible. Participation rate was 93.4% (n=594, 53% female). The prevalence of excessive use in the past 30 days was alcohol 44.9% (95% CI: 37.8-52.1), cannabis 11.1% (95% CI: 8.0-14.1), tobacco 23.4% (95% CI: 19.0-28.1) and any other drug 2.6 (95% CI: 1.4-4.2). Excessive use was higher in males than in females. Except for tobacco prevalence of excessive use was only slightly higher in young adults compared to adolescents. CONCLUSION Excessive substance use is frequent among young people consulting family doctors in a European context. Future research should provide guidance about how to best seize this window of opportunity for prevention and early intervention.
Cortical Constriction During Abscission Involves Helices of ESCRT-III–Dependent Filaments

The process by which animal cells are physically separated after cell division is dissected in molecular detail. After partitioning of cytoplasmic contents by cleavage furrow ingression, animal cells remain connected by an intercellular bridge, which subsequently splits by abscission. Here, we examined intermediate stages of abscission in human cells by using live imaging, three-dimensional structured illumination microscopy, and electron tomography. We identified helices of 17-nanometer-diameter filaments, which narrowed the cortex of the intercellular bridge to a single stalk. The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT)–III co-localized with constriction zones and was required for assembly of 17-nanometer-diameter filaments. Simultaneous spastin-mediated removal of underlying microtubules enabled full constriction at the abscission site. The identification of contractile filament helices at the intercellular bridge has broad implications for the understanding of cell division and of ESCRT-III–mediated fission of large membrane structures.
Impact of breast cancer patients' awareness on attendance at screening.

AIM The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of breast cancer awareness on the attendance for screening among women with breast cancer prior to diagnoses of breast cancer. BACKGROUND Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for women in Taiwan and its incidence rate continues to increase. However, screening for breast cancer is still not common even if the incidence rate has topped the list from 2003 to 2010. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among women diagnosed with breast cancer. Subjects (535 women) were recruited from two medical centres in central Taiwan. Information on attendance for breast cancer screening was collected by self-report. Chi-square test and logistic regression were utilized to analyse the relationships between awareness of breast cancer and attendance at screening. FINDINGS The results indicated that pre-diagnostic awareness of 'the concept of early treatment relating to higher cure rate'[odds ratio (OR): 4.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12-14.9], 'various breast cancer screening methods' (OR:3.00; 95% CI: 1.23-7.30), 'the coverage of breast cancer screening programme in the National Health Insurance' (OR:1.76; 95% CI: 1.03-3.02) and 'breast self-examination after each menstrual cycle' (OR:3.42; 95% CI: 1.99-5.87) were all significantly associated with the screening procedures performed. CONCLUSIONS Findings of this study indicated that particular attention should be paid towards enhancement of women's knowledge for prevention and early detection of breast cancer through educational efforts by nurse professionals, medical institutions and/or civil organizations.
Restricted weekend service inappropriately delays discharge after acute myocardial infarction

Background: Early discharge after myocardial infarction is safe and feasible. Factors that delay discharge need to be identified in order to improve care and reduce bed occupancy. Objective: To investigate the potential of the restricted weekend service that operates in most hospitals to delay patient discharge. Design: Prospective cohort study. Subjects and setting: 2541 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction admitted to the coronary care unit of three local district hospitals over a 12 year period. Results: Clinical factors affecting the duration of stay were age, sex, and severity of infarction. Thus older patients and women stayed significantly longer, as did patients with enzymatically large infarcts. Day of week also had an important influence on duration of stay. Discharge occurred most often on a Friday (p = 0.006) and least often over the weekend (p = 0.0001). Patients were preferentially discharged on a Friday if the length of stay was more than 72 hours. Thus patients admitted on a Sunday or Monday were usually discharged the following Friday, corresponding to a median duration of stay of five or four days, respectively. For patients admitted on Tuesday to Saturday, weekend discharge was avoided and the median duration of stay was six to eight days. Conclusions: For patients with acute myocardial infarction, discharge decisions were influenced appropriately by clinical indicators of risk, but inappropriately by the day of the week. Thus weekend discharge was generally avoided, leading to variations in length of stay that were largely determined by the day of the week on which admission occurred rather than clinical need.
Understanding why the role of accounting is unchanged in Indonesian public hospitals

Purpose This paper aims to understand why an expected enhanced role of accounting in Indonesian public hospitals has not occurred, although serial organizational changes and reform of hospital payment systems have taken place. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a multiple case study research approach. It was carried out in two Indonesian public hospitals. Interviews were the main tool used for collecting data. The primary interviewees were the top managers, accountants and senior physicians in the hospitals surveyed. Findings Insights from the interviews revealed that the owners’ traditional role of funding deficits plus the conventional mindsets of managements and physicians who are only interested in health outcomes have hindered the infiltration of economic and accounting logic into the management of these two public hospitals. Consequently, the expected accounting innovations, i.e. an enhanced role of accounting in the hospitals’ daily activities did not emerge. Research limitations/implications This case study is not a longitudinal study and the interviewees, particularly senior physicians, were selected based on their availability and willingness to participate in the interviews. Thus, the findings should be treated with caution. Practical implications An enhanced role of accounting and other accounting innovations would indicate that the hospitals are responding as expected to the institutional and financial reforms. Originality/value Contingency theory and institutional theory have been used together in this study which aims to not only discuss the reasons for accounting changes occurring or not occurring, but also to understand the motivations behind the accounting changes or lack of change. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of accounting innovations is expected.
Joint Wireless Charging and Hybrid Power Based Resource Allocation for LTE-A Wireless Network

In this paper, an energy efficient resource allocation is investigated to enhance the network performance of cellular networks. Specifically, the small cells (SCs) using both green and on-grid energy and the power splitter-enabled wireless charging for user equipments (UEs) are considered. A quality-of-service (QoS)-constrained problem is then designed to maximize energy efficiency (EE) through the joint strategies of power allocation, resource block (RB) assignment, and power splitting ratio adjustment. By exploiting some mathematical transformations, the non-convex optimization problem can be solved by adopting the proposed joint wireless charging and hybrid power based resource allocation (JWHRA) algorithm. The efficiency of proposed algorithm is validated via simulation. Numerical results show that the proposed JWHRA scheme can provide higher EE with its joint design on wireless charging and hybrid energy source.
Tilted and Anti-Tilted Portfolios: A Coherent Framework for Advanced Beta Portfolio Construction

In this article, we propose a framework for building advanced beta (factor) portfolios in a benchmark-centric context. The intuition behind benchmark-aware advanced beta portfolios is simple — overweight securities that rank high on the characteristic, or factor, the portfolio is meant to capture and underweight, or exclude, securities that rank low on that characteristic. We outline a general framework for building benchmark-aware advanced beta portfolios, what we refer to as portfolios “tilted” towards a certain factor. We discuss the various methodological extensions that can then be made within this framework, and relate current popular smart beta indices to this framework. The tilted framework has strong intuitive properties. It can be used to build “anti-tilted” portfolios, which overweight stocks that rank unfavorably along the characteristic. These anti-tilted portfolios underperform the benchmark, reflecting the coherency of this framework. We contend that as factor investing evolves, this benchmark-centric framework is a more consistent and coherent way to view advanced beta portfolio construction than benchmark-independent approaches.
A Mainly Circum-Mediterranean Origin for West Eurasian and North African mtDNAs in Puerto Rico with Strong Contributions from the Canary Islands and West Africa

abstract Maternal lineages of West Eurasian and North African origin account for 11.5% of total mitochondrial ancestry in Puerto Rico. Historical sources suggest that this ancestry arrived mostly from European migrations that took place during the four centuries of the Spanish colonization of Puerto Rico. This study analyzed 101 mitochondrial control region sequences and diagnostic coding region variants from a sample set randomly and systematically selected using a census-based sampling frame to be representative of the Puerto Rican population, with the goal of defining West Eurasian—North African maternal clades and estimating their possible geographical origin. Median-joining haplotype networks were constructed using hypervariable regions 1 and 2 sequences from various reference populations in search of shared haplotypes. A posterior probability analysis was performed to estimate the percentage of possible origins across wide geographic regions for the entire sample set and for the most common haplogroups on the island. Principal component analyses were conducted to place the Puerto Rican mtDNA set within the variation present among all reference populations. Our study shows that up to 38% of West Eurasian and North African mitochondrial ancestry in Puerto Rico most likely migrated from the Canary Islands. However, most of those haplotypes had previously migrated to the Canary Islands from elsewhere, and there are substantial contributions from various populations across the circum-Mediterranean region and from West African populations related to the modern Wolof and Serer peoples from Senegal and the nomad Fulani who extend up to Cameroon. In conclusion, the West Eurasian mitochondrial ancestry in Puerto Ricans is geographically diverse. However, haplotype diversity seems to be low, and frequencies have been shaped by population bottlenecks, migration waves, and random genetic drift. Consequently, approximately 47% of mtDNAs of West Eurasian and North African ancestry in Puerto Rico probably arrived early in its colonial history.
Effects of temperature and pressure on the vacuum drying characteristics of red seaweed kappaphycus alvarezii

The Philippines is one of the top producers of seaweed products such as carrageenan. The country's seaweed industry is considered as a major economic contributor to the aquaculture industry. However, the current method of sun drying the seaweeds may still be improved in terms of quality and capacity. To further understand the material behavior of seaweeds, this study proposes to characterize the drying behavior of red seaweed (Kappaphycus alvarezii) by means of a vacuum dryer. The study aims to evaluate the effects of the temperature and pressure in drying the red seaweed. Drying experiments were conducted in a vacuum oven at chamber temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 oC, with drying pressures ranging from 10 kPa to 20 kPa. The effects of drying temperature and pressure on the moisture ratio and the drying rate of seaweed samples were illustrated by generating drying curves. The results showed that increasing the drying temperature significantly decreased the drying time of the seaweed samples. However, the vacuum pressure induced in the oven effected insignificantly. The generated drying curves on the said samples demonstrated a gradual decrease in the moisture content with respect to the drying time, until it reached equilibrium like many other drying characteristics on various samples. Statistical analysis verified that only the drying temperature had a significant effect on the vacuum drying process.
Learning and Using Multimodal Stochastic Models: A Unified Approach

This dissertation presents a principled approach to representing and using instance-based knowledge. Perceptions and actions are probabilistically modelled in a unified structure which allows for simultaneous perception modelling and reasoning about desired actions. In particular, a new method for online instance-based learning of such models is presented and analyzed. This method, called Dynamic Gaussian Mixture Estimation (DGME), adapts a model’s complexity to the process being modelled. The models produced by DGME are evaluated on several classification, prediction, and control applications, and its characteristics are compared with other state-of-the-art methods. In the context of control applications, an additional novel method, Gaussian Mixture Control (GMC), is introduced for precisely controlling systems that exhibit multimodality.