Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dopamine transporter loss visualized with FP-CIT SPECT in the differential diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies.

BACKGROUND Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a common form of late-life dementia that can be difficult to differentiate from other disorders, especially Alzheimer disease (AD), during life. At autopsy the striatal dopaminergic transporter is reduced. OBJECTIVES To examine the extent and pattern of dopamine transporter loss using iodine I 123-radiolabeled 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl) nortropane (FP-CIT) with single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in DLBs compared with other dementias and to assess its potential to enhance a differential diagnosis. DESIGN Cohort study comparing FP-CIT with criterion standard of consensus clinical diagnosis. SETTING General hospital. PARTICIPANTS One hundred sixty-four older subjects (33 healthy older control subjects, 34 with NINCDS/ADRDA [National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association]-confirmed AD, 23 with consensus guideline-confirmed DLB, 38 with United Kingdom's Parkinson Disease Society Brain Bank-confirmed Parkinson disease [PD], and 36 with PD and dementia). INTERVENTIONS Injection of (123)I-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl) nortropane with SPECT scan performed at 4 hours. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Visual ratings of scans and region of interest analysis. RESULTS Significant reductions (P<.001) in FP-CIT binding occurred in the caudate and anterior and posterior putamens in subjects with DLB compared with subjects with AD and controls. Transporter loss in DLBs was of similar magnitude to that seen in PD, but with a flatter rostrocaudal (caudate-putamen) gradient (P =.001), while the greatest loss in all 3 areas was seen in those who had PD and dementia. Both region of interest analysis and visual ratings provided good separation between DLBs and AD (region of interest: sensitivity, 78%; specificity, 94%; positive predictive value, 90%) but not among subjects with DLB, PD, and PD with dementia. CONCLUSIONS Dopamine transporter loss can be detected in vivo using FP-CIT SPECT in DLB. Further studies, especially of subjects with DLB without PD, are required to fully establish use in clinical practice.
ESTIMATION AND INFERENCE IN PREDICTIVE REGRESSIONS

In this paper, we analyze feasible bias-reduced versions of point estimates for predictive regressions: The plug-in estimates, which are based on the augmented regressions proposed by Amihud and Hurvich (2004) and Amihud, Hurvich and Wang (2010), and the grouped jackknife estimate by Quenouille (1949, 1956). We also derive the correct standard errors associated with these point estimates.The methods thus allow for a unified inferential framework, where point estimates and statistical inference are based on the same methods. Using the new estimates, we investigate U.S. stock returns and find that some variables are able to predict stock returns.
IP easy-pass: edge resource access control

Providing real-time communication services to multimedia applications and subscription-based Internet access often requires sufficient network resources to be reserved for real-time traffic. However, the reserved network resource is susceptible to resource theft and abuse. Without a resource access control mechanism that can efficiently differentiate legitimate real-time traffic from attacking packets, the traffic conditioning and policing enforced at ISP (Internet service provider) edge routers cannot protect the reserved network resource from embezzlement. On the contrary, the traffic policing at edge routers aggravates their vulnerability to flooding attacks by blindly dropping packets. We propose a fast and light-weighted IP network-edge resource access control mechanism, called IP easy-pass to prevent unauthorized access to reserved network resources at edge devices. We attach a unique pass to each legitimate real-time packet so that an ISP edge router can validate the legitimacy of an incoming IP packet very quickly and simply by checking its pass. We present the generation of easy-pass, its embedding, and verification procedures. We implement the IP easy-pass mechanism in the Linux kernel, analyze its effectiveness against packet forgery and resource embezzlement attempts. Finally, we measure the overhead incurred by easy-pass.
Using behavior theory to investigate individual-level determinants of employee involvement in TQM

Although much has been written about total quality management and employee involvement, little attention has been paid to individual-level determinants of employee's involvement in total quality management. The use of behaviour theory to formulate propositions regarding the determinants is especially scare in the total quality management and employee involvement literature. The major objective of the present research was to isolate individual-level factors that would enhance or hamper employee's involvement in continuous improvement activities related to work quality. The present research used the theory of reasoned action, the theory of planned behaviour and the technology acceptance model as bases to develop a causal model. On-site surveys were conducted at a leading Chinese cigarette firm having implemented total quality management over 10 years. The developed model was tested by means of structural equation modeling using LISREL. The results supported the model. The findings revealed that intentions to involve in the activities are the major contributor to employee involvement behaviour, and that these intentions are influenced firstly, by attitude towards involvement and, secondly, by professional ethics, self-efficacy, subjective norm, and perceived empowerment, and that these attitudes are influenced firstly by perceived usefulness, and secondly by perceived risk. Self-efficacy and perceived empowerment are also significant predictors of employee involvement behaviour. The implications of the research for managers and researchers, as well as research limitations, are also discussed.
Relationship between birth weight and overweight/obesity among students in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil: a retrospective cohort study

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Being born heavier than 4 kg is associated with current overweight and obesity over the long term. The objective here was to ascertain whether birth weight was related to overweight or obese status, among 7 to 14-year-old schoolchildren, taking into consideration the possible interactions between socioeconomic factors and other biological variables. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study on a probabilistic sample of 2,696 children and adolescents living in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. METHODS: The following data were collected: anthropometric (student's weight, height and age; and parents' weight and height), socioeconomic (family income, number of people in house and parental schooling level), birth weight and gestational age. Overweight and obesity were classified using percentiles of body mass index and triceps and subscapular skinfolds. The outcome variables were overweight and obesity and the main explanatory variables were birth weight and birth weight according to gestational age. The control variables were the parents' nutritional status, their schooling level and the per capita family income. Poisson multivariate regressions were carried out. RESULTS: Higher prevalence of high birth weight was observed among overweight male adolescents (PR = 1.14; 95% CI = 1.02-1.27; P = 0.03), but this was not observed among obese male adolescents. Low birth weight and being born small for gestational age were also not associated with the outcomes. Among overweight and obese children, birth weight was not significantly different from that of normal-weight children. CONCLUSION: No significant association between birth weight and obesity was observed. However, there was a weak but significant association between high birth weight and overweight, among male adolescents.
The Choice of Career of Consultant Psychiatrists

Summary All consultants in general psychiatry appointed in Britain between 1 October 1975 and 30 September 1978 were sent a questionnaire asking about their training and adequacy of experience before making a final decision. Over a quarter of the respondents were women, of whom a third had trained part-time. Family circumstances and availability of part-time posts were important determinants. Overseas graduates formed another quarter. For many psychiatry was not their first love but availability of posts and status were important factors in choice of career. Many consultants felt they lacked experience in the subspecialties within psychiatry.
Who Motivates My Participation in Virtual Interorganizational Communities of Practice: Self, Peers, or the Firm?

Virtual interorganizational communities of practice (IOCoPs) enable professionals in different organizations to exchange and share knowledge via computer-mediated interactions. Prior literature mainly focuses on internal motivating factors at the individual level. However, knowledge sharing requires social interactions thus influences from external entities play an important role in individuals’ community participation. In this research, we study external motivating factors generated from two different channels: peer effects within and organizational influences outside the virtual community. We apply a novel econometric identification method to analyze a virtual IOCoP in the financial trading sector. We find that external motivating factors from online peers and offline organizations are influential in determining community participation. In addition, our results suggest that virtual IOCoPs and organizations are two complementary learning channels. Differentiating motivating factors across multiple levels enables us to shed new light on various mechanisms with which IOCoPs can engage collective learning and knowledge management across organizations.
Political Research in the Changing World System

Humankind is undergoing greater changes than it ever has before. These are related primarily to quantitative and qualitative demographic changes; technological and military capabilities; the emergence of information-rich societies; the presence of a diversity of viable and self-confident social and economic systems; the disparity between human expectations and accomplishments; and efforts to mobilize the effective thought of man kind. From these changes follow some key problems for political research of which these eight claim priority: peace research; social accounting and particularly explorations of the emancipatory capabilities of countries; analysis of shifting costs of national and inter national actors; a more precise knowledge of the double nature of capital: its 'hardware' and its intangible (information) aspects; understanding the problems of time and timing; further development of the theory of communication and control; greater comprehension of the politics of self-transformation; and the systematic search for knowledge on whether and how political scientists can find points of change as well as its forms and methods. A political science that derives its theories from discoveries and from the analysis of im plications, that goes on to invent solutions and design procedures for practical appli cations can do much to help mankind.
Voltage independence control of split-DC bus for a three-phase/level T-type converter with unbalanced loads

Three-phase/level T-type converter has advantages of high efficiency and low current harmonics, which is utilized in power conversion systems for supplying dc loads widely. Three-phase/level T-type converter provides bipolar dc buses with a neutral line at relatively low cost. In order to extend applications for bipolar dc bus structure, voltage independence control of split-dc bus proposed in this paper plays a key role in the flexibility of converter. However, the coupling relationship between asymmetric capacitor voltages and unbalanced dc loads gives rise to the inherent operational limit of three-level T-type converter. Therefore, the serious grid current distortion and attenuation of neutral point voltage regulation appears when system is driven out of operational limit. To overcome these issues, a novel architecture consisting of a three-phase/level T-type converter and a neutral leg is proposed to deal with asymmetric capacitor voltages with any unbalanced dc loads. Voltage independence control of split-dc bus and modified carrier based pulse width modulation (CBPWM) of novel architecture are presented, correspondingly. The simulation and experimental results are presented to validate the proposed architecture and control strategy.
A ZVS PWM three-phase inverter with active clamping technique using the reverse recovery energy of the diodes

This paper presents the analysis of a ZVS PWM three-phase inverter with active voltage clamping technique using the reverse recovery energy of the diodes to improve the converter efficiency. The structure is particularly simple and robust. It is very attractive for three phase high power applications. Conduction and commutation losses are reduced due to implementation of a simple active snubber circuit that provides ZVS conditions for all switches, including the auxiliary one. Its main features are: simple control strategy, robustness, lower weight and volume, lower harmonic distortion of the output current, and high efficiency. The operation principle for steady-state conditions, mathematical analysis and experimental results from a laboratory prototype are presented.
How Important is Sound Domestic Macroeconomics in Attracting Capital Inflows to Developing Countries

Developing countries tend to run current account balance of payments deficits on their trade in goods and services. Decumulating international reserves as a means of financing such deficits is not a long-term option, and may not even be a short-term option where reserves are already meagre. Inflows of capital in the form of either foreign aid or private capital offer a potential alternative. Failing to attract capital inflows implies that national income and domestic living standards will have to decline. An imbalance where domestic saving falls short of domestic investment either calls for foreign financing or for corrective domestic action which reduces consumption or investment. Given the related adjustment costs, developing countries will be anxious to make themselves attractive to foreign creditors. But how can they do this?
Effect of dry band location on electric field distribution along a polymeric insulator under contaminated conditions

To study the effect of dry band location on electric field distribution of polymeric insulators, simulations were carried out using Comsol Multiphysics. The effect of dry band along a polymeric insulator at shed, core and junction of core and shed regions on the electric field distribution was investigated. Pollution was modelled as a 2-mm uniform conductive water layer on the insulator surface. Conductivity of pollution layer was set at 500μS/cm to simulate medium pollution conditions. Simulation was carried out by considering a 2-cm dry band at the shed, core and junction of shed and core regions respectively. The highest electric field strength was observed when the dry band was considered at the junction of shed and core region while the electric field strength was minimum along the dry band at the shed regions. The result of this study will help scientists and engineers to improve the design of weather sheds for high voltage insulators so that the possibility of dry band formation at the junction of shed and core is minimized.
Airborne imaging for cultural heritage

We present our work in designing and deploying airborne sensor vehicles specifically for cultural heritage applications. Numerous practical cultural heritage missions in survey, assessment, and conservation work can benefit from the utility of specializing commodity and customizable airborne platforms to collect visual and non-visual data. These systems and customizations therein have undergone several generations of development both in our own designs and in the research community at large. We discuss the historical application of airborne imaging to cultural heritage conservation and surveying as well as discuss the design evolution towards multi-rotor systems from conventional rotary-wing and fixed-wing systems. This discussion addresses the fundamental principles of operation, as well as the capabilities, contemporary methods and commodity components available for the implementation of such a system. We present our current system and its features in concert with example payloads of utility in conducting these practical reconnaissance missions, as well as useful post-processing techniques, as well as future work in applied visualization.
NFL bettor biases and price setting: further tests of the Levitt hypothesis of sportsbook behaviour

Empirical support for the Levitt hypothesis of sportsbook behaviour, where sportsbooks set prices to maximize profits, not to clear the market, is shown using data from actual sportsbooks. Betting percentages on favourites and underdogs (pointspread market) and overs and unders (totals market) were obtained using actual dollars bet (www.sportsbook.com) and percentage of bets made (www.sportsinsights.com). Both data sets reinforce the idea that sportsbooks are not setting prices to attract even betting dollars on both sides of the proposition. Big favourites, road favourites and overs on high totals are all shown to attract a significantly higher percentage of bets in both samples. Betting against public sentiment is shown to be statistically profitable for the National Football League pointspread market, but not in the market for totals.
Outcome of Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Peritonitis in Patients on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis: A Single-Center Experience

Background The spectrum of bacterial peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in India may be different from that seen in developed countries because of differences in culture and in social, environmental, financial, and educational status. We analyzed our data regarding the incidence and outcome of monomicrobial peritonitis in our CAPD patients. Patients and Methods We reviewed the records of 225 patients on CAPD to retrieve data concerning demographics, peritonitis rate, organism isolated, and outcome. Polymicrobial and fungal peritonitis were excluded from the outcome analysis because of their different outcomes. Results We identified 168 episodes of peritonitis (range: 1 – 6 episodes per patient). Of the 168 episodes, 106 (63.1%) episodes were culture-positive. Total duration of CAPD was 264.16 patient–years. The overall peritonitis rate was 0.63 episodes per patient–CAPD year. The rates of gram-negative, gram-positive, polymicrobial, and fungal peritonitis were 0.17, 0.11, 0.04, 0.09 episodes per patient–year, respectively. Among the 75 episodes of monomicrobial peritonitis, gram-negative episodes [n = 45 (60%)] were significantly more frequent than gram-positive episodes [n = 30 (40%), p = 0.03]. Escherichia coli was the most commonly seen organism. Organisms of fecal origin (40/75) were significantly more frequent than those of skin origin (21/75, p = 0.0016). Catheter loss (17/45 vs 5/20, p = 0.04), hospitalization (31/ 45 vs 13/30, p = 0.03), death [9/45 vs 3/30, p = nonsignificant (NS)], switch to hemodialysis (8.9% vs 3.3%, p = NS), and reimplantation of the catheter (6.6% vs 3.3%, p = NS) were all more frequent in gram-negative episodes than in gram-positive episodes. Conclusions Gram-negative peritonitis is more frequent than gram-positive peritonitis in our CAPD population in India and is associated with worse outcome.
Teams: Making the Ideal Real

It is Seminar Day, and the college students are in the midst of a spirited discussion about what they have been observing during the first week of school in the partner school’s media center. “How do teachers know what to do on the first day-especially the new ones? ” asks one of the students. At the far side of the circle, a mentor Teachers for Elementary and Middle Schools (TEAMS) Professional Development School (PDS) program. This innovative program emphasizes a reflective and practical approach, better aligning teacher preparation with the demands and context of school life than traditional programs.
A multidisciplinary selection model for youth soccer: the Ghent Youth Soccer Project

Objectives: To determine the relationships between physical and performance characteristics and level of skill in youth soccer players aged 12–16 years. Methods: Anthropometry, maturity status, functional and sport-specific parameters were assessed in elite, sub-elite, and non-elite youth players in four age groups: U13 (n = 117), U14 (n = 136), U15 (n = 138) and U16 (n = 99). Results: Multivariate analyses of covariance by age group with maturity status as the covariate showed that elite players scored better than the non-elite players on strength, flexibility, speed, aerobic endurance, anaerobic capacity and several technical skills (p<0.05). Stepwise discriminant analyses showed that running speed and technical skills were the most important characteristics in U13 and U14 players, while cardiorespiratory endurance was more important in U15 and U16 players. The results suggest that discriminating characteristics change with competitive age levels. Conclusions: Characteristics that discriminate youth soccer players vary by age group. Talent identification models should thus be dynamic and provide opportunities for changing parameters in a long-term developmental context.
Auxin Response Factors Mediate Arabidopsis Organ Asymmetry via Modulation of KANADI Activityw⃞

Members of the KANADI gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana regulate abaxial identity and laminar growth of lateral organs. Promoter APETALA3-mediated ectopic expression of KANADI restricts petal expansion and was used in a genetic screen for factors involved in KANADI-mediated signaling. Through this screen, mutations in ETTIN (ETT; also known as Auxin Response Factor3 [ARF3]) were isolated as second site suppressors and found to ameliorate ectopic KANADI activity throughout the plant as well. Mutant phenotypes of ett are restricted to flowers; however, double mutants with a closely related gene ARF4 exhibit transformation of abaxial tissues into adaxial ones in all aerial parts, resembling mutations in KANADI. Accordingly, the common RNA expression domain of both ARFs was found to be on the abaxial side of all lateral organs. Truncated, negatively acting gene products of strong ett alleles map to an ARF-specific, N-terminal domain of ETT. Such gene products strongly enhance abaxial tissue loss only when ARF activities are compromised. As KANADI is not required for either ETT or ARF4 transcription, and their overexpression cannot rescue kanadi mutants, cooperative activity is implied. ARF proteins are pivotal in mediating auxin responses; thus, we present a model linking transient local auxin gradients and gradual partitioning of lateral organs along the abaxial/adaxial axis.
Do Foreign Students Crowd Out Native Students from Graduate Programs?

This paper examines how the growth in the number of foreign students enrolled in graduate programs affects native enrollment in those programs. Although there is little evidence of a crowdout effect for the typical native student, the impact of foreign students on native educational outcomes differs dramatically across ethnic groups, and is particularly adverse for white native men. There is a strong negative correlation between increases in the number of foreign students enrolled at a particular university and the number of white native men in that university's graduate program. This crowdout effect is strongest at the most elite institutions.