Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Brain atrophy and lesion load as explaining parameters for cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifocal demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, with lesions widespread through the brain and spinal cord. An important manifestation is cognitive impairment, which, though difficult to measure, may have a major social impact. To better understand the relationship between structural tissue damage and cognitive impairment, we examined the extent and spatial distribution of brain lesions, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in relation to abnormal cognitive performance as measured by the Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB) in 82 MS patients. Possible confounders, like fatigue, pain and depression were also assessed. Brain MR image analysis included hyperintense T2 and hypointense T1 lesion load in the whole brain and the four lobes separately, as well as whole brain volume measurements. Cognitive impairment (defined as more than two abnormal tests) was found in 67% of the patients. Moderately strong correlations were found between the subtests of the BRB and the lesion loads in the brain regions hypothesized to be associated with that cognitive test, although these correlations were in general not much stronger than those between the subtests and the overall lesion load (due to strong interrelationships). The Spatial Recall Test correlated best with parietal lesion load; the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and the Word List Generation best with frontal, parietal and temporal lesion load; while the Verbal List Generation Test Index correlated only with atrophy. Atrophy and lesion load were the main factors determining the test scores, explaining 10-25% of the variance in the test results, and were more important than fatigue, pain and depression; only depression had a minor, but significant, additional effect on the PASAT. In conclusion, cognitive impairment in MS is moderately dependent on amount (and distribution) of structural brain damage, especially in the more physically impaired patients group.
Access to Finance for French Firms: Do boardroom attributes matter?

This article aims at studying the influence of boardroom attributes on access to leverage in the French context. The empirical findings lead to several interesting results. They reveal a negative relation between the number of female directors on the board and the total and long-term leverage ratios. Due likely to the risk aversion of women, firms with more gender-diverse boards appear to use less levels of debt. This is consistent with the pecking order theory. The results also show that the size of the board, the frequency of its meetings and the average age of its independent directors positively affect the leverage ratios. They are coherent with the disciplinary role of the board stipulated by the agency theory.
Diagnostic utility and factor structure of the PTSD Checklist in older adults

ABSTRACT Background: Little research has examined the diagnostic utility and factor structure of commonly used posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessment instruments in older persons. Methods: A total of 206 adults aged 60 or older (mean age = 69 years; range = 60–92), who resided in the Galveston Bay area when Hurricane Ike struck in September 2008, completed a computer-assisted telephone interview two–five months after this disaster. Using the PTSD Checklist (PCL), PTSD symptoms were assessed related both to this disaster and to participants’ worst lifetime traumatic event. Total PCL scores were compared to PCL-based, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV)-derived probable diagnoses of PTSD to determine optimal cut scores. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted to evaluate PTSD symptom structure. Results: Receiver operating characteristic analyses indicated that a PCL score of 39 achieved optimal sensitivity and specificity in assessing a PCL-based, algorithm-derived DSM-IV diagnosis of worst event-related PTSD; and that a score of 37 optimally assessed probable Ike-related PTSD. CFAs revealed that a recently proposed five-factor model – comprised of re-experiencing, avoidance, numbing, dysphoric arousal, and anxious arousal factors – provided a better fitting representation of both worst event- and disaster-related PTSD symptoms than alternative models. Current Ike-related anxious arousal symptoms demonstrated a significantly stronger association with current generalized anxiety than depressive symptoms, thereby supporting the construct validity of this five-factor model of PTSD symptomatology. Conclusions: A PCL score of 37 to 39 may help identify probable PTSD in older persons. The expression of PTSD symptoms in older adults may be best characterized by a recently proposed five-factor model with distinct dysphoric arousal and anxious arousal clusters.
Making and Implementing Public Policy: Key Concepts and Issues

This book outlines key concepts and theoretical approaches that underpin the study of the policy process. It examines the exercise and distribution of power, and the ways in which power is central to our understanding of how policies are made and implemented. It covers topics including: the meaning and scope of public policy; the impact of multi-level governance; the idea of 'arm's-length' decision-making and implementation; and ways in which policy can be evaluated.
On the performance of cognitive underlay Alamouti space-time coding schemes

In this paper, we study the performance of underlay Alamouti schemes over Rayleigh fading channels. In particular, the closed form expressions of outage probability and Shannon capacity are derived. We develop a new derivation approach, which allows to obtain the exact form of Shannon capacity, where two interference links to the primary receiver are taken into account. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to verify the correctness of the analysis results. The numerical results show that the system achieves full diversity and outperform underlay direct transmissions.
A link classification based approach to website topic hierarchy generation

Hierarchical models are commonly used to organize a Website's content. A Website's content structure can be represented by a topic hierarchy, a directed tree rooted at a Website's homepage in which the vertices and edges correspond to Web pages and hyperlinks. In this work, we propose a new method for constructing the topic hierarchy of a Website. We model the Website's link structure using weighted directed graph, in which the edge weights are computed using a classifier that predicts if an edge connects a pair of nodes representing a topic and a sub-topic. We then pose the problem of building the topic hierarchy as finding the shortest-path tree and directed minimum spanning tree in the weighted graph. We've done extensive experiments using real Websites and obtained very promising results.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Improves Growth and Reproductive Performance in Mice Fed Chemically Defined Diets

Growth, reproductive performance, and indices of collagen maturation and expression were investigated in Balb/c mice fed chemically defined, amino acid-based diets with or without the addition 6 <M pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)/kg diet. The diets were fed to virgin mice for 8 weeks before breeding. At weaning, the pups from successful pregnancies were fed the same diet as their respective dams. Reproductive performance was compromised in mice fed diets devoid of PQQ, and their offspring grew at slower rates than offspring from mice fed diets supplemented with PQQ. Successful mating (confirmed vaginal plugs) was not affected by the presence or absence of PQQ; however, pup viability (number of pups at parturition/number of pups at Day 4 of lactation) was decreased in PQQ-deprived mice. Conception (percentage of females giving live births) and fertility (percentage of births) were also decreased in PQQ-deprived mice. The slower rates of growth in offspring from PQQ-deprived mice were associated with decreased steady-state mRNA levels for Type I procollagen α1-chains in skin and lungs from neonatal mice. Values for lysyl oxidase accumulation as protein in PQQ-deficient mice also tended to be lower than corresponding values from PQQ-supplemented or -replete mice. Skin collagen solubility was increased in PQQ-deprived mice. These results indicate that PQQ supplementation can improve reproductive performance, growth, and may modulate Indices of neonatal extracellular matrix production and maturation in mice fed chemically defined, but otherwise nutritionally complete diets.
Issues for selection of outcome measures in stroke rehabilitation: ICF activity

Purpose. To evaluate the psychometric and administrative properties of outcome measures in the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Activity category used in stroke rehabilitation research and reported in the published literature. Method. Critical review and synthesis of measurement properties for nine commonly reported instruments in the stroke rehabilitation literature. Each instrument was rated using the eight evaluation criteria proposed by the UK Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme. The instruments were also assessed for the rigour with which their reliability, validity and responsiveness were reported in the published literature. Results. The reporting of specific measurement qualities for outcome instruments was relatively consistent across measures located within the same general ICF category. There was evidence to suggest that the measures were responsive to change as well as being valid and reliable tools. The best available instruments were associated with the assessment of activities of daily living, balance (static and dynamic), functional independence, and functional mobility. Conclusions. Given the diversity that exists among available measures, the reader is encouraged to examine carefully the nature and scope of outcome measurement used in reporting the strength of evidence for improved functional activity in stroke rehabilitation. However, there appears to be good consensus regarding the most important indicators of successful rehabilitation outcome, especially in the case of functional mobility.
INFLATION, INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA, WHAT ARE THE THRESHOLD EFFECTS?

This paper empirically examines inflation, investment and economic growth nexus in Nigeria, employing the Neo-Classical Growth Model. Firstly, the impact of the inflation rate on economic growth with the possibility of two threshold levels for Nigeria using annual data from 1980 to 2014 was examined and secondly, non-linearity between inflation and investment is investigated. In particular, the results show evidence of a non-linear relationship with two thresholds (6 percent and 12 percent) between inflation and economic growth. Inflation below the first threshold affects economic growth positively and insignificantly. At moderate rates of inflation, between the two threshold levels, the effect of inflation is found to be negative and significant, and at high rates of inflation, above the second threshold, the marginal impact of additional inflation on economic growth diminishes but is still significantly negative. The results further indicate a non-linear relationship between these two variables with only one threshold at 7 percent. Rate of inflation below the threshold level has positive but insignificant impact, while above the threshold has strong negative and significant impact on investment. Therefore, it is desirable to keep the inflation below 6 percent (first threshold) through sound macroeconomic policies (both monetary and fiscal) because it is at that level it becomes helpful for the achievement of sustainable economic growth and investment.
Temporal and spatial patterns of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 protein and gene expression in spinal cord white matter after acute and chronic spinal cord injury in rats: implications for axonal pathophysiology after neurotrauma

After spinal cord injury (SCI), surviving white matter axons display axonal dysfunction associated with demyelination and altered K+ channel activity. To clarify the molecular basis of posttraumatic axonal pathophysiology after SCI, we investigated the changes in expression and distribution of the axonal K+ channel subunits Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 in spinal cord white matter after in vivo SCI in the rat. Using Western blot analysis, we found an increased expression of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 at 2 and 6 weeks after SCI. By real‐time PCR we observed an increase in Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 mRNA levels 1 day after SCI, which persisted until 6 weeks. Confocal immunohistochemistry showed a markedly dispersed labelling of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 along the injured axons, in contrast to the tight localization of these channels to the juxtaparanodes of noninjured axons. This redistribution of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 occurred as early as 1 h postinjury along some injured axons, and persisted at 6 weeks postinjury. In parallel with the redistribution of Kv1.1 and 1.2, contactin‐associated protein (Caspr), which is normally confined to a paranodal location, also displayed a more diffuse distribution along the injured spinal cord axons. Our results suggest that the increased expression of Kv1.1 and Kv1.2 proteins is transcriptionally regulated. In contrast, the redistribution of the axonal K+ channel subunits occurs very early postinjury and probably reflects a disruption of the juxtaparanodal axonal region due to physical trauma, as shown by altered localization of Caspr.
Dispersal, recruitment and migratory behaviour in a hawksbill sea turtle aggregation

We investigated the dispersal, recruitment and migratory behaviour of the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), among different life‐history stages and demographic segments of the large hawksbill turtle aggregation at Mona Island, Puerto Rico. There were significant differences in both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplotype diversity and haplotype frequencies among the adult males, females and juveniles examined, but little evidence for temporal heterogeneity within these same groups sampled across years. Consistent with previous studies and the hypothesis of strong natal homing, there were striking mtDNA haplotype differences between nesting females on Mona Island and nesting females in other major Caribbean rookeries. Breeding males also showed strong, albeit weaker, genetic evidence of natal homing. Overall, Bayesian mixed‐stock analysis suggests that Mona Island was the natal rookery for 79% (65–94%) of males in the aggregation. In contrast, the Mona Island rookery accounted for only a small subset of the new juvenile recruits to the foraging grounds or in the population of older juvenile hawksbills turtles on Mona. Instead, both new recruits and the older juvenile hawksbill turtles on Mona more likely recruited from other Caribbean rookeries, suggesting that a mechanism besides natal homing must be influencing recruitment to feeding habitats. The difference in the apparent degree of natal homing behaviour among the different life‐history stages of hawksbill turtles at Mona Island underscores the complexity of the species’ life‐history dynamics and highlights the need for both local and regional conservation efforts.
2-Port DL-MIMO Antenna Design for LTE-Enabled USB Dongles

A geometrically symmetric 2-port downlink (DL)- multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antenna for Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongles is described. The design makes use of a center-tapped inductance to independently excite both the common mode and the differential mode. The solution allows for separate, mutually independent, common-mode and differential- mode matching networks. So as to maximize bandwidth and efficiency of the differential mode, the antenna physical structure is designed for maximum occupation of the very small available volume using two symmetric elements each comprising a helix loaded at its end with a capacitive plate. Fabricated prototype of the antenna features higher than 7 dB return loss (RL) and higher than 17 dB isolation in Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) band class (BC) 13 and BC 17 and total efficiency higher than 50%.
A multi-level perspective analysis of the change in music consumption 1989-2014

This thesis seeks to examine the historical socio-technical transitions in the music industry through the 1990s and 2000s which fundamentally altered the way in which music is consumed along with the environmental resource impact of such transitions. Specifically, the investigation seeks to establish a historical narrative of events that are significant to the story of this transition through the use of the multi-level perspective on socio-technical transitions as a framework. This thesis adopts a multi-level perspective for socio-technical transitions approach to analyse this historical narrative seeking to identify key events and actors that influenced the transition as well as enhance the methodological implementation of the multi-level perspective. Additionally, this thesis utilised the Material Intensity Per Service unit methodology to derive several illustrative scenarios of music consumption and their associated resource usage to establish whether the socio-technical transitions experienced by the music industry can be said to be dematerialising socio-technical transitions. This thesis provides a number of original empirical and theoretical contributions to knowledge. This is achieved by presenting a multi-level perspective analysis of a historical narrative established using over 1000 primary sources. The research identifies, examines and discusses key events, actors and transition pathways denote the complex nature of dematerialising socio-technical systems as well as highlights specifically the influence different actors and actor groups can have on the pathways that transitions take. The thesis also provides a broader contribution to the understanding of dematerialisation and technology convergence.
Epidemiology and Predisposing Factors of Obesity in Greece: From the Second World War Until Today

Over the last 30 years overweight and obesity among adults and children have been on the rise, and since 1997 WHO has designated obesity as a major public health problem. In Greece both adult and childhood obesity is now recognized as an epidemic problem, probably more important than in other European countries. The issue is more serious in male adolescents and adults. There is also a tendency for weight increase along the last 30 years. Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus are also rising rapidly in the Greek population. The reasons for this epidemic in Greece are not clear. Possible explanations could emerge from the delayed but sharp economic evolution of the country, as well as the abandonment of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Other predisposing factors in Greek children are parental obesity, frequent television viewing, low rates of breastfeeding and, in adolescent girls, smoking and alcohol consumption. Emerging measures are needed to confront this epidemic.
Risk-sensitive allocation in seasonal dynamics of fat and protein reserves in a long-lived mammal.

Body reserves of numerous taxa follow seasonal rhythms that are a function of temporal patterns in food availability and life-history events; however, tests of the theory underlying the allocation of somatic reserves for long-lived organisms are rare, especially for free-ranging mammals. We evaluated the hypothesis that allocation of somatic reserves to survival (i.e., metabolic processes) and reproduction should be sensitive to current nutritional state relative to seasonal thresholds in those reserves. Our goal was to reveal the linkages between nutrition and life-history traits to understand how long-lived, iteroparous organisms balance the allocation of somatic reserves to reproduction, while retaining reserves as insurance for survival in unpredictable environments. Our evaluation was based on seasonal dynamics in fat (measured as ingesta-free body fat; IFBFat) and protein reserves (measured as ingesta-free, fat-free body mass; IFFFBMass) of 136 female mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) over 8 years. Although mean changes in fat and protein reserves were positive over summer and negative over winter, accretion and catabolism of those reserves was not consistent among individuals. Over winter, both lipid and protein stores available in autumn were catabolized in proportion to their availability above a post-winter threshold (5·8% IFBFat, 33 kg IFFFBMass); however, lean body tissue was spared at the expense of lipid reserves. Female deer mostly synthesized lean body tissue over summer and committed post-winter fat reserves to reproduction relative to their availability above an autumn threshold (>8·6% IFBFat), which was lowered by 2·8 percentage points (pp) for each additional young recruited. Mothers reduced their autumn fat threshold to secure current reproductive investment and, thereby, endured a cost of reproduction at the expense of fat accumulation. Allocation of somatic reserves occurred in a risk-sensitive framework; females allocated reserves relative to their availability above seasonal thresholds. In contrast to current notions of summer accretion and winter catabolism of body reserves, some individuals deposited reserves over winter and catabolized reserves over summer, mainly because regulation of individual condition was state-dependent. Consequently, behaviour and life-history strategies may be as much a function of nutritional contributions of the previous season as of the current one.
The Effect of Socioeconomic Status on Staging and Treatment Decisions in Esophageal Cancer

Background: Optimal treatment choice for patients with esophageal cancer (EC) is complex and largely determined by tumor characteristics, comorbidity, and age. Goals: This study describes the role of patient characteristics, among which is socioeconomic status (SES), in EC treatment. Study: Patients diagnosed with primary EC between 1990 and 2008 in the southern part of the Netherlands were identified using the Eindhoven Cancer Registry. Multivariable logistic and proportional hazard regression analyses were used to identify determinants of treatment and survival. Results: We included 1914 patients, and 37% of them underwent intentionally curative treatment. Low-SES patients were diagnosed at older age (16% vs. 9%, age more than or equal to 80) and with more advanced tumor stages (13% vs. 10%, stage T4) than high-SES patients. Age less than 60 compared with 70 to 79 years [adjusted odds ratio, 4.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.98-6.84] and high SES compared with low SES (adjusted odds ratio 1.59; 95% CI, 1.07-2.37) were independent predictors for curative treatment. Probability of death for high-SES patients undergoing palliative treatment was decreased compared with low-SES patients (hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71-0.99). Conclusions: SES is an important factor in treatment choice of EC. As health care is equally accessible to the whole population in the Netherlands, this suggests that both patient-related and physician-related factors are involved in this phenomenon.