Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Six-Month Cognitive-Motor and Aerobic Exercise Program Improves Executive Function in Persons with an Objective Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Investigation Using the Antisaccade Task.

Persons with an objective cognitive impairment (OCI) are at increased risk for progression to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The present pilot project sought to examine whether participation in a long-term exercise program involving cognitive-motor (CM) dual-task gait training and aerobic exercise training improves executive function in persons with an OCI. To accomplish our objective, individuals with an OCI (n = 12) as determined by a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score of less than 26 and older adults (n = 11) deemed to be cognitively healthy (i.e., control group: MoCA score ≥26) completed a six-month moderate-to-high intensity (65-85% maximum heart rate) treadmill-based CM and aerobic exercise training program wherein pre- and post-intervention executive control was examined via the antisaccade task. Notably, antisaccades require a goal-directed eye-movement mirror-symmetrical to a target and represent an ideal tool for the study of executive deficits because of its hands- and language-free nature. As well, the cortical networks mediating antisaccades represent regions associated with neuropathology in cognitive decline and dementia (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex). Results showed that antisaccade reaction times for the OCI group reliably decreased by 30 ms from pre- to post-intervention, whereas the control group did not produce a reliable pre- to post-intervention change in reaction time (i.e., 6 ms). Thus, we propose that in persons with OCI long-term CM and aerobic training improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the executive mechanisms mediating high-level oculomotor control.
Input-state matching under piecewise constant control for systems on matrix Lie groups

The constructive controllability problem under piecewise constant control is discussed for systems evolving on matrix Lie groups. Two approaches are followed: an indirect one, in which a continuous time control is matched by a multi-rate sampled data controller ensuring coincidence at the sampling instants and a direct one, in which a digital point to point maneuver is designed. Simulations are performed to compare the continuous and digital approaches.
Monitoring progression in Friedreich ataxia (FRDA): the use of clinical scales

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with ataxia, dysarthria, pyramidal tract signs, sensory loss, cardiomyopathy and diabetes. There is no cure for FRDA so far. Studies of the natural history of the disease and future therapeutic trials require development of appropriate outcome markers. Since any therapeutic benefit is expected to modulate deterioration over time rather than to reverse disability, potential outcome measures must be sensitive instruments carefully analysed for their significance. Clinical scales may represent an appropriate measuring tool. Over the last few years the construction, evaluation and validation of sensitive clinical scales for the assessment of disease severity and progression in ataxia have had considerable impact on our understanding of the disease. Currently, there are three different scales that are most frequently applied: The International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale (FARS) and the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA). All scales have been validated and compared with regard to their testing properties.
Lipid Droplet Binding and Oligomerization Properties of the Parkinson's Disease Protein α-Synuclein*

α-Synuclein is a major component of the fibrillary lesion known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites that are the pathologic hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, point mutations in the α-synuclein gene imply α-synuclein dysfunction in the pathology of inherited forms of PD. α-Synuclein is a member of a family of proteins found primarily in the brain and is concentrated within presynaptic terminals. Here, we address the localization and membrane binding characteristics of wild type and PD mutants of α-synuclein in cultured cells. In cells treated with high concentrations of fatty acids, wild type α-synuclein accumulated on phospholipid monolayers surrounding triglyceride-rich lipid droplets and was able to protect stored triglycerides from hydrolysis. PD mutant synucleins showed variable distributions on lipid droplets and were less effective in regulating triglyceride turnover. Chemical cross-linking demonstrated that synuclein formed small oligomers within cells, primarily dimers and trimers, that preferentially associated with lipid droplets and cell membranes. Our results suggest that the initial phases of synuclein aggregation may occur on the surfaces of membranes and that pathological conditions that induce cross-linking of synuclein may enhance the propensity for subsequent synuclein aggregation.
Adaptive parallel hash join in main-memory databases

Presents an algorithm for parallel hash-join computation on main-memory databases that adapts to data skew, and its implementation on the IBM RP3 multiprocessor. The algorithm exploits the random access capabilities of main memory databases to detect and counteract skew on the fly. Data skew is detected at run time by monitoring the observed frequencies of values of the join attribute and applying to them a threshold function that takes account of the distribution of workload among processors. If and when this threshold is reached for certain values of the join attribute, the computation corresponding to it is fragmented among an appropriate number of processors. Fragmentation requires some replication of input tuples-modestly increasing the total workload, but reduces the completion time significantly by reducing workload at the overloaded processor. A simplified analysis is supplemented by experiments. The description and analysis of the algorithm are based on the shared-nothing model. The implementation uses hierarchical shared memory providing non-uniform memory access. <<ETX>>
Supercontinuum high-speed cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy for sensitive multispecies detection.

Cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy is promising for many applications requiring a very high concentration sensitivity but often accompanied by low temporal resolution. In this Letter, we demonstrate a broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectrometer capable of detection rates of up to 50 kHz, based on a spatially coherent supercontinuum (SC) light source and an in-house-built, high-speed near-infrared spectrograph. The SC spectrometer allows for the simultaneous quantitative detection of CO2, C2H2, and H2O within a spectral range from 1420 to 1570 nm. Using cavity mirrors with a specified reflectivity of R=98.0±0.3% a minimal spectrally averaged absorption coefficient of αmin=1·10-5 cm-1 can be detected at a repetition rate of 50 kHz.
Analysis of Organisational Dependency for Urbanism of Information Systems

Information Systems Urbanism is a method providing new solutions to manage the complexity of Information System (I.S.) transformations. This paper expands the urbanism approach by integrating an organisational analysis. Moreover a scientific approach is provided to support the complex decisions involving Information Systems change. For this purpose, dependencies among information processes are formalised. Dependency is based on three complementary dimensions: actors, material resources, information. These dependencies are used to generate process clusters. The mathematical approach used to create several cluster maps is explained, as well as the use of these maps for organisational diagnoses. The goal is to provide support to decision-makers for better change management. Finally, a case study in a manufacturing plant in micro-electronics shows the feasibility of the approach.
A 2-bit/step SAR ADC structure with one radix-4 DAC

In this letter, a high speed compact structure for 2-bit/ step successive approximation (SAR) ADC is presented. Using modified algorithm yields to a simple radix-4 DAC with half bit and a resolution independent Reference Generator unit in the proposed design. This in term caused to extend the resolution of SAR ADC structure for double bit resolutions. An 8-bit SAR ADC is implemented and simulated based on the proposed structure in 300 MHz clock frequency and 50 MS/s sampling rate. The target design has SNDR = 43 dB and SFDR = 52 dB for fin = 4 MHz at 50 Ms/s. The achieved power consumption at this sampling rate is 1.04 mW and the Figure of Merits of proposed design will be 175 fJ/Conversion-step.
FOXP3 Inhibits Activation-Induced NFAT2 Expression in T Cells Thereby Limiting Effector Cytokine Expression1

The forkhead DNA-binding protein FOXP3 is critical for the development and suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (TREG), which play a key role in maintaining self-tolerance. Functionally, FOXP3 is capable of repressing transcription of cytokine genes regulated by NFAT. Various mechanisms have been proposed by which FOXP3 mediates these effects. Using novel cell lines that inducibly express either wild-type or mutant FOXP3, we have identified NFAT2 as an early target of FOXP3-mediated transcriptional repression. NFAT2 is typically expressed at low levels in resting T cells, but is up-regulated by NFAT1 upon cellular activation. We demonstrate that transcription from the NFAT2 promoter is significantly suppressed by FOXP3, and NFAT2 protein expression is markedly diminished in activated CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ TREG compared with CD4+CD25−FOXP3− T cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that FOXP3 competes with NFAT1 for binding to the endogenous NFAT2 promoter. This antagonism of NFAT2 activity by FOXP3 is important for the anergic phenotype of TREG, as ectopic expression of NFAT2 from a retroviral LTR partially restores expression of IL-2 in FOXP3+ TREG. These data suggest that FOXP3 functions not only to suppress the first wave of NFAT-mediated transcriptional responses, but may also affect sustained NFAT-mediated inflammatory gene expression through suppression of inducible NFAT2 transcription.
Allelic Variation of Human Serotonin Transporter Gene Expression

Abstract: Mood, emotion, cognition, and motor functions as well as circadian and neuroendocrine rhythms, including food intake, sleep, and reproductive activity, are modulated by the midbrain raphe serotonin (5‐HT) system. By directing the magnitude and duration of postsynaptic responses, carrier‐facilitated 5‐HT transport into and release from the presynaptic neuron are essential for the fine tuning of serotonergic neurotransmission. Interest in the mechanism of environmental factor‐, disease‐, and therapy‐induced modification of 5‐HT transporter (5‐HTT) function and its impact on early brain development, event‐related synaptic plasticity, and neurodegeneration is widespread and intensifying. We have recently characterized the human and murine 5‐HTT genes and performed functional analyses of their 5′‐flanking regulatory regions. A tandemly repeated sequence associated with the transcriptional apparatus of the human 5‐HTT gene displays a complex secondary structure, represses promoter activity in nonserotonergic neuronal cells, and contains positive regulatory components. We now report a novel polymorphism of this repetitive element and provide evidence for allele‐dependent differential 5‐HTT promoter activity. Allelic variation in 5‐HTT‐related functions may play a role in the expression and modulation of complex traits and behavior.
Pro‐sexual effects of aqueous extracts of Massularia acuminata root in male Wistar rats

Aqueous extract of Massularia acuminata root at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1 body weight was investigated for its effect on sexual behaviour in male Wistar rats. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids and tannins in the extract. The increased (P < 0.05) frequencies of mount and intromission, computed male sexual behaviour parameters and significantly prolonged ejaculatory latency by the 50 and 100 mg kg−1 body weight of the extract compared favourably (P > 0.05) with the reference drug, sildenafil citrate (Viagra). The extract also decreased the mount latency. The intromission latency at all the doses of the extract compared favourably with the distilled water‐treated animals. The concentrations of serum testosterone, luteinising and follicle stimulating hormones increased at all the doses. All these are indications of prosexual effects of the extract, mediated by changes in the hormonal levels, brought about possibly by alkaloids, saponins and/or flavonoids. Overall, the present study supported the acclaimed use of M. acuminata root as an aphrodisiac in Yorubic medicine of Nigeria. Therefore, the aqueous extract of M. acuminata roots at 50 and 100 mg kg−1 body weight may be explored in the management of disorders of desire, premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction in males.
Pilot Study of PK 11195, a Selective Ligand for the Peripheral-Type Benzodiazepine Binding Sites, in Inpatients with Anxious or Depressive Symptomatology

PK 11195 is a selective ligand for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding sites which exhibits anti-conflict activity in animals. In a pilot open study, PK 11195 was administered to 10 psychiatric inpatients characterized by a rating of at least "moderate" for the item "felt loss of vitality" and a rating of at least "moderate" for the items "anxiety" and/or "inhibition of drive" from the psychopathological scale of the system developed by the Association for Methodology and Documentation in Psychiatry (AMDP). The duration of the study was two weeks, with an initial daily dose of 200 mg of PK 11195 which could be increased up to 400 mg. Patients were assessed weekly using the psychopathological and somatic AMDP scales and at days 0, 4, 7, and 14 using the Hamilton anxiety scale and a checklist of symptoms and side-effects. The results showed significant improvement in the AMDP factor scores related to somatic complaints, depression, anxiety, apathy-retardation, and psycho-organic symptoms. However, anxiolytic activity, confirmed on the Hamilton anxiety scale, remained moderate and reached maximum effect after one week. No side-effects, drowsiness in particular, were reported. This study therefore suggests a potential beneficial activity of PK 11195 on anxiety and inhibition, which merits further investigation in controlled studies.
Financing decisions and firm-level cost of capital

The most notable capital structure theories today are the traditional pecking order theory, tradeoff theory and market timing theory. The first two theories hypothesize a semi-strong efficiency in the capital markets, whereas the market timing theory sees the capital market more or less inefficient. Thus, market timing theory allows the idea of managerial persons to be able to time the market, i.e. issue debt when it is cheap and issue equity when it is cheap. This kind of opportunistic behavior is not allowed by the pecking order or the trade-off theory. But then, why do we witness fluctuations in the general securities issuance behavior in the market? The prior research has been focusing on explaining this behavior with ex post realized returns but it has been recognized by several studies (e.g., Froot & Frankel, 1989; Gebhardt, Lee, & Swaminathan, 2001; Hou, van Dijk, & Zhang, 2012) that such estimates are extremely noisy. Thus, I will be using a new, more robust measure for cost of capital named implied cost of capital (ICC) which equates the market value of equity and the forecasted future earnings of a given firm in a valuation model. In addition, I will be employing a firm-level ICC. My data is acquired for U.S. based publicly traded companies for each year from 1974 to 2013. Using financial statement data for a period of minimum six years, I compute my own earnings forecasts applying a regression model introduced by Hou, Van Dijk, and Zhang (2012) and Lee, So, and Wang (2010) as opposed to using analyst forecasts that can biased. After computing the forecasts, apply them to three separate valuation models, and solve for the required market return R (discount rate in the models) which represents the implied cost of capital. These three estimates are used to compute a synthetic implied cost of capital index with equal weights after which it is converted into implied equity risk premium by subtracting the real interest rate. As a result of my statistical models, I find that firm management follows the level of their firm specific cost of capital and make financing decisions based on this. This behaviour has become even more explicit during the last few years. However, they seem to follow the market-level cost of capital more closely. Changes in the tax rate and growth opportunities seem to also affect the financing behaviour which lends power to the traditional trade-off theory. When testing for the importance of the traditional pecking order theory, it seems to have lost most of its power to explain the securities issuance decisions after the late 1970s.
Directional fractal signature methods for trabecular bone texture in hand radiographs: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

PURPOSE To develop directional fractal signature methods for the analysis of trabecular bone (TB) texture in hand radiographs. Problems associated with the small size of hand bones and the orientation of fingers were addressed. METHODS An augmented variance orientation transform (AVOT) and a quadrant rotating grid (QRG) methods were developed. The methods calculate fractal signatures (FSs) in different directions. Unlike other methods they have the search region adjusted according to the size of bone region of interest (ROI) to be analyzed and they produce FSs defined with respect to any chosen reference direction, i.e., they work for arbitrary orientation of fingers. Five parameters at scales ranging from 2 to 14 pixels (depending on image size and method) were derived from rose plots of Hurst coefficients, i.e., FS in dominating roughness (FSSta), vertical (FSV) and horizontal (FSH) directions, aspect ratio (StrS), and direction signatures (StdS), respectively. The accuracy in measuring surface roughness and isotropy/anisotropy was evaluated using 3600 isotropic and 800 anisotropic fractal surface images of sizes between 20 × 20 and 64 × 64 pixels. The isotropic surfaces had FDs ranging from 2.1 to 2.9 in steps of 0.1, and the anisotropic surfaces had two dominating directions of 30° and 120°. The methods were used to find differences in hand TB textures between 20 matched pairs of subjects with (cases: approximate Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade ≥ 2) and without (controls: approximate KL grade <2) radiographic hand osteoarthritis (OA). The OA Initiative public database was used and 20 × 20 pixel bone ROIs were selected on 5th distal and middle phalanges. The performance of the AVOT and QRG methods was compared against a variance orientation transform (VOT) method developed earlier [M. Wolski, P. Podsiadlo, and G. W. Stachowiak, "Directional fractal signature analysis of trabecular bone: evaluation of different methods to detect early osteoarthritis in knee radiographs," Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng., Part H 223, 211-236 (2009)]. RESULTS The AVOT method correctly quantified the isotropic and anisotropic surfaces for all image sizes and scales. Values of FSSta were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the isotropic surfaces. Using the VOT and QRG methods no differences were found at large scales for the isotropic surfaces that are smaller than 64 × 64 and 48 × 48 pixels, respectively, and at some scales for the anisotropic surfaces with size 48 × 48 pixels. Compared to controls, using the AVOT and QRG methods the authors found that OA TB textures were less rough (P < 0.05) in the dominating and horizontal directions (i.e., lower FSSta and FSH), rougher in the vertical direction (i.e., higher FSV) and less anisotropic (i.e., higher StrS) than controls. No differences were found using the VOT method. CONCLUSIONS The AVOT method is well suited for the analysis of bone texture in hand radiographs and it could be potentially useful for early detection and prediction of hand OA.
Detecting malicious behaviour using supervised learning algorithms of the function calls

This paper describes our research in evaluating the use of supervised data mining algorithms for an effective detection of zero-day malware. Our aim is to design the tasks of certain popular types of supervised data mining algorithms for zero-day malware detection and compare their performance in terms of accuracy and efficiency. In this context, we propose and evaluate a novel method of employing such data mining techniques based on the frequency of Windows function calls. Our experimental investigations using large data sets to train the classifiers with a design tool to compare the performance of various data mining algorithms. Analysis of the results suggests the advantages of one data mining algorithm over the other for malware detection. Overall, data mining algorithms are employed with true positive rate as high as 98.5%, and low false positive rate of less than 0.025, indicating good applicability and future enhancements for detecting unknown and infected files with embedded stealthy malcode.
Participation in daily living tasks among older adults with fear of falling.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated patterns of participation in daily living tasks by older adults with fear of falling. The relationship between reported participation in a broad set of daily living tasks and the risk of falling involved in task performance--or activity-related risk--as judged by occupational therapists was examined. Further, several characteristics of older adults that have been associated with fear of falling were examined to determine which older adults had patterns of participation most strongly associated with the activity-related risk. METHOD Thirty-eight occupational therapists were surveyed and asked to judge the activity-related risk in performing specific daily living tasks. Additional data were obtained from 339 older adults with fear of falling who participated in a previous study on the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce fear of falling. Older adults' participation in daily living tasks as measured by items of the Sickness Impact Profile was correlated with the judgments of activity-related risk controlling for potential confounding factors. Univariate regression analyses and t tests were used to determine whether several characteristics of older adults were associated with the relationship between participation and activity-related risk. RESULTS Small to moderate significant relationships were found between older adults' participation in daily living tasks and the activity-related risk as judged by occupational therapists (r = -.25, p < .0001). Older adults with the lowest confidence in ability regarding falls had the strongest relationships. CONCLUSION Activity-related risk is an aspect of daily living tasks that relates to participation in activities by older adults with fear of falling. Knowledge of the activity-related risk involved in daily living tasks can be used to facilitate occupational performance in clients with fear of falling and associated activity restriction.