Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Predictability of the Dividend-Price Ratio When Dividends Have Long Memory

We present evidence that the aggregate stock price and dividends are fractionally integrated. Considering this possibility, we examine relations between stock returns, dividends and the log dividend-price ratio. The log dividend-price ratio has a strong predictability for future values of fractionally differenced dividends in longhorizon regressions. Also, the theoretical dividend-price ratio constructed from the VAR with fractionally differenced dividends track the actual log dividend-price ratio more closely than that from the VAR with first differenced dividends or with stock returns. Moreover, the relationship between the log dividend-price ratio and fractionally differenced dividends holds stable regardless of sample periods under consideration.
Flavonoids: A versatile source of anticancer drugs

An exponential increase in the number of studies investigating how different components of the diet interact at the molecular and cellular level to determine the fate of a cell has been witnessed. In search for anticancer drugs compelling data from laboratories, epidemiologic investigations, and human clinical trials showed that flavonoids have important effects on cancer chemoprevention and chemotherapy. In many molecular mechanisms of action for prevention against cancer, flavonoids play a major role by interacting between different types of genes and enzymes. Many mechanisms of action have been identified, including carcinogen inactivation, antiproliferation, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis, inhibition of angiogenesis, antioxidation, and reversal of multidrug resistance or a combination of these mechanisms. This review focuses on the anticancer activity of flavonoids as well as their molecular mechanisms, including the treatment of mammary and prostate cancer. This review also highlights some advanced derivatives of flavonoids, which play an important role against cancer.
Discriminative Recurrent Sparse Auto-Encoders

We present the discriminative recurrent sparse auto-encoder model, comprising a recurrent encoder of rectified linear units, unrolled for a fixed number of iterations, and connected to two linear decoders that reconstruct the input and predict its supervised classification. Training via backpropagation-through-time initially minimizes an unsupervised sparse reconstruction error; the loss function is then augmented with a discriminative term on the supervised classification. The depth implicit in the temporally-unrolled form allows the system to exhibit all the power of deep networks, while substantially reducing the number of trainable parameters. From an initially unstructured network the hidden units differentiate into categorical-units, each of which represents an input prototype with a well-defined class; and part-units representing deformations of these prototypes. The learned organization of the recurrent encoder is hierarchical: part-units are driven directly by the input, whereas the activity of categorical-units builds up over time through interactions with the part-units. Even using a small number of hidden units per layer, discriminative recurrent sparse auto-encoders achieve excellent performance on MNIST.
FLEXURAL FATIGUE PERFORMANCE OF STEEL FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE - INFLUENCE OF FIBER CONTENT, ASPECT RATIO, AND TYPE

The performance of steel fiber reinforced concrete under flexural fatigue loading is examined in terms of fiber content (0.5 to 1.5 percent by volume), fiber aspect ratio (47 to 100), and fiber type (4 types). Data from 194 fatigue tests and 135 complementary static loading tests are presented both as S-N relationships, with the maximum stress expressed as a percentage of the strength under static loading, and as relationships between actual stress and number of loading cycles. The relationships between actual stress and number of cycles depend primarily on fiber content. The best performance, a 100,000 cycle endurance limit of 6.9 MPa, is obtained with 1.5 % by volume of 75 aspect ratio cold-drawn wire fibers in a concrete with a w/(c plus f) of 0.49. For 0.5 % of the same fibers, the 100,000 cycle limit is only 5.2 MPa despite a lower w/(c plus f) of 0.39
Speech intelligibility after glossectomy and speech rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND Oral tumor resections cause articulation deficiencies, depending on the site, extent of resection, type of reconstruction, and tongue stump mobility. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the speech intelligibility of patients undergoing total, subtotal, or partial glossectomy, before and after speech therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-seven patients (24 men and 3 women), aged 34 to 77 years (mean age, 56.5 years), underwent glossectomy. Tumor stages were T1 in 3 patients, T2 in 4, T3 in 8, T4 in 11, and TX in 1; node stages, N0 in 15 patients, N1 in 5, N2a-c in 6, and N3 in 1. No patient had metastases (M0). Patients were divided into 3 groups by extent of tongue resection, ie, total (group 1; n = 6), subtotal (group 2; n = 9), and partial (group 3; n = 12). Different phonological tasks were recorded and analyzed by 3 experienced judges, including sustained 7 oral vowels, vowel in a syllable, and the sequence vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV). The intelligibility of spontaneous speech (sequence story) was scored from 1 to 4 in consensus. All patients underwent a therapeutic program to activate articulatory adaptations, compensations, and maximization of the remaining structures for 3 to 6 months. The tasks were recorded after speech therapy. To compare mean changes, analyses of variance and Wilcoxon tests were used. RESULTS Patients of groups 1 and 2 significantly improved their speech intelligibility (P<.05). Group 1 improved vowels, VCV, and spontaneous speech; group 2, syllable, VCV, and spontaneous speech. Group 3 demonstrated better intelligibility in the pretherapy phase, but the improvement after therapy was not significant. CONCLUSIONS Speech therapy was effective in improving speech intelligibility of patients undergoing glossectomy, even after major resection. Different pretherapy ability between groups was seen, with improvement of speech intelligibility in groups 1 and 2. The improvement of speech intelligibility in group 3 was not statistically significant, possibly because of the small and heterogeneous sample.
Expression of Prostatic Acid Phosphatase in Rat Circumvallate Papillae

ATP and its metabolites are important for taste signaling in taste buds, and thus a clearance system for them would play critical roles in maintenance of gustatory function. A previous report revealed that mRNAs for ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were expressed by taste cells of taste buds, and NT5E-immunoreactivity was detected in taste cells. However, there was no information on PAP-immunoreactivity in taste buds. In this study, we examined the expression profile of PAP in rat taste buds. In the isolated rat taste buds, we detected expression of mRNA for PAP, but NT5E was not detected differing from the case of mouse ones (Dando et al., 2012, J Neuroscience). On immunohistochemical analysis, PAP-immunoreactivity was found predominantly in NTPDase2-positive type I and SNAP25-positive type III taste cells, while there were no apparent signals of it in PLC-β2-positive type II, α-gustducin-positive type II, AADC-positive type III and 5HT-positive type III ones. As for NT5E, we could not detect its immunoreactivity in rat taste buds, and co-localization of it with any taste cell markers, although mouse taste buds expressed NT5E as reported previously. These findings suggest that PAP expressed by type I and one of type III taste cells of rats may contribute to metabolic regulation of the extracellular levels of adenine nucleotides in the taste buds of circumvallate papillae, and the regulating mechanisms for adenine nucleotides in taste buds might be different between rats and mice.
Altered body schema processing in frontotemporal dementia with C9ORF72 mutations

Background Mutations in C9ORF72 are an important cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and motor neuron disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that FTD associated with C9ORF72 mutations (C9ORF72-FTD) is distinguished clinically by early prominent neuropsychiatric features that might collectively reflect deranged body schema processing. However, the pathophysiology of C9ORF72-FTD has not been elucidated. Methods We undertook a detailed neurophysiological investigation of five patients with C9ORF72-FTD, in relation to patients with FTD occurring sporadically and on the basis of mutations in the microtubule-associated protein tau gene and healthy older individuals. We designed or adapted behavioural tasks systematically to assess aspects of somatosensory body schema processing (tactile discrimination, proprioceptive and body part illusions and self/non-self differentiation). Results Patients with C9ORF72-FTD selectively exhibited deficits at these levels of body schema processing in relation to healthy individuals and other patients with FTD. Conclusions Altered body schema processing is a novel, generic pathophysiological mechanism that may link the distributed cortico-subcortical network previously implicated in C9ORF72-FTD with a wide range of neuropsychiatric and behavioural symptoms, and constitute a physiological marker of this neurodegenerative proteinopathy.
Larval spatial distributions and other early life–history characteristics predict genetic differentiation in eastern Pacific blennioid fishes

In marine organisms, a pelagic larval stage increases the opportunities for long–distance dispersal and is often associated with little genetic differentiation over large geographical distances. Here we test the hypothesis that early life–history characteristics, including larval spatial distributions, affect the rates of dispersal and, therefore, the levels of genetic partitioning among three Gulf of California reef fishes: Axoclinus nigricaudus, Malacoctenus hubbsi; and Ophioblennius steindachneri;. These three blennioid fishes have markedly different early life histories: A. nigricaudus has a short larval duration (18 days) and develops inshore, M. hubbsi has an intermediate larval duration (24 days) and most individuals develop inshore and O. steindachneri has a long larval life (50 days) and disperses offshore. Estimates of genetic partitioning from mtDNA control region sequences differed greatly between these species and were in the same rank order as predicted by their early life-history characteristics (A. nigricaudus NST=0.536, M. hubbsi NST=0.261 and O. steindachneri N=0.000). These results indicate that larval strategies may be good predictors of population genetic structure in some marine fishes.
The effect of soil type and profile construction on the performance of cricket pitches. II. Playing quality during the first season of use

Aspects of the playing quality of fifteen cricket pitch constructions were examined, based on profiles formed from seven different soil types and a variety of base layers. Hardness, vertical ball rebound and the reduction in absolute velocity of balls fired at the surface at a velocity of 32 m.s-1 and an angle of 14° were all correlated and significant differences were recorded between the different soil profiles. In general, hardness, ball rebound and the "pace" of the surface increased with greater bulk density and decreased with organic matter content and moisture content. There was a negative relationship with total silt clay content which is believed to result from the different drying characteristics of the soils. There were significant relationships between soils for surface friction measured firstly as energy loss from a swinging pendulum and secondly in terms of the rotational friction. However, further work is required to examine how closely it relates to lateral movement of the ball resulting from spin.
MED‐EL Combi40+ Cochlear Implantation in Adults

Objective/Hypothesis: Cochlear implantation is currently the treatment of choice for severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. The MED‐EL Combi40+ (Innsbruck, Austria) cochlear implant system was approved for use in the United States in 2001. This device employs a 31‐mm‐long electrode array, ceramic case, and continuous interleaved sampling with Hilbert transformation for envelope extraction. A single institution's experience with the Combi40+ implant in adult patients was reviewed.
Thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of a polymer composite cured at different isothermal cure temperatures

Thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties of a commercial carbon fiber epoxy prepreg, Cycom 977-2 UD, were obtained for isothermal cure temperatures ranging from 149°C to 182°C. For each cure profile, an encapsulated-sample rheometer (ESR) was used to measure the storage modulus. Each ESR cure profile was followed by the glass transition temperature (Tg) test. The degree of cure (α) during cure and the heat of reaction of the prepreg were obtained using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). Combined loading compression (CLC) and short-beam shear (SBS) tests were performed to obtain compressive properties and SBS strength, respectively. It was observed that the compressive properties did not vary significantly for the studied isothermal cure temperatures; likewise, the compressive failure mode was the same for all the CLC specimens. However, the SBS strength for the specimens cured at 149°C was approximately 10% less than that of those cured at isothermal cure temperatures ranging from 160°C to 182°C. Further, the failure mode of the SBS specimens cured at 149°C was also different from other specimens. The storage modulus of the ESR sample cured at 149°C also showed a 10% decrease compared to other ESR samples. The SBS strength exhibited a good correlation with the storage modulus and a weak correlation with Tg and α.
Oral health status among long-term hospitalized adults: a cross sectional study

Background. Many Long-Term Care (LTC) institutionalized patients are the most frail and functionally dependent among the geriatric population and have significant oral health disparities.They often suffer from dental neglect due to limited access to appropriate professional dental care. These patients have chronic health situations and are treated with medications, which increase their risk of oral diseases. Despite the growth in elderly population in Israel, there is insufficient data regarding their oral health status and treatment needs. Objective. To describe the oral health status of the LTC hospitalized adults in a geriatric and psychiatric hospital in Israel. Methods. Data was recorded from LTC hospitalized adults with a physical and/or mental disabilities in a cross-sectional research design, which included general health anamnesis and clinical oral examination. Variables included gender, medicines, oral hygiene (OH), using dentures, number of caries lesions and residual teeth. Univariate analyses included Pearson χ2 and t-test analyses. Multivariate analyses included logistic and linear regressions while the outcome variables were categorical OH index and number of carious cavitations, number of residual teeth and carious teeth percentage. Results. 153 participants were included in the study with a mean age of 65.03 ± 18.67 years. 31.3% of the patients were edentulous, and only 14% had partial or full dentures. Females had a significantly higher number of caries cavitation than males (P = 0.044). The number of caries cavitation was higher among patients with poor OH (P < 0.001) and when taking Clonazepam (P = 0.018). Number of residual teeth was higher in the fair OH group (P < 0.001). Carious teeth percentage was higher among the poor OH group (P < 0.001).
Siblings of children with life‐limiting conditions: psychological adjustment and sibling relationships

BACKGROUND This study explored psychological adjustment and sibling relationships of siblings of children with life-limiting conditions (LLCs), expanding on previous research by defining LLCs using a systematic classification of these conditions. METHODS Thirty-nine siblings participated, aged 3-16 years. Parents completed measures of siblings' emotional and behavioural difficulties, quality of life, sibling relationships and impact on families and siblings. Sibling and family adjustment and relationships were compared with population norms, where available, and to a matched comparison group of siblings of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), as a comparable 'high risk' group. RESULTS LLC siblings presented significantly higher levels of emotional and behavioural difficulties, and lower quality of life than population norms. Their difficulties were at levels comparable to siblings of children with ASD. A wider impact on the family was confirmed. Family socio-economic position, time since diagnosis, employment and accessing hospice care were factors associated with better psychological adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Using a systematic classification of LLCs, the study supported earlier findings of increased levels of psychological difficulties in siblings of children with a LLC. The evidence is (i) highlighting the need to provide support to these siblings and their families, and (ii) that intervention approaches could be drawn from the ASD field.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of Balanced and Unbalanced Adhesive Single-Lap Joints between Aluminium Adherends

The single-lap joint is the most commonly used, although it endures significant bending due to the non-collinear load path, which negatively affects its load bearing capabilities. The use of material or geometric changes is widely documented in the literature to reduce this handicap, acting by reduction of peel and shear peak stresses or alterations of the failure mechanism emerging from local modifications. In this work, the effect of using different thickness adherends on the tensile strength of single-lap joints, bonded with a ductile and brittle adhesive, was numerically and experimentally evaluated. The joints were tested under tension for different combinations of adherend thickness. The effect of the adherends thickness mismatch on the stress distributions was also investigated by Finite Elements (FE), which explained the experimental results and the strength prediction of the joints. The numerical study was made by FE and Cohesive Zone Modelling (CZM), which allowed characterizing the entire fracture process. For this purpose, a FE analysis was performed in ABAQUS® considering geometric non-linearities. In the end, a detailed comparative evaluation of unbalanced joints, commonly used in engineering applications, is presented to give an understanding on how modifications in the bonded structures thickness can influence the joint performance.
Airports and Railways: Facility Location Meets Network Design

We introduce a new framework of Airport and Railway Problems, which combines capacitated facility location with network design. In this framework we are given a graph with weights on the vertices and on the edges, together with a parameter k. The vertices of the graph represent cities, and weights denote respectively the costs of opening airports in the cities and building railways that connect pairs of cities. The parameter $k$ can be thought of as the capacity of an airport. The goal is to construct a minimum cost network of airports and railways connecting the cities, where each connected component in the network spans at most k vertices, contains an open airport, and the network satisfies some additional requirements specific to the problem in the framework. We consider two problems in this framework. In the AR_F problem there are no additional requirements for the network. This problem is related to capacitated facility location. In the AR_P problem, we require each component to be a path with airports at both endpoints. AR_P is a relaxation of the capacitated vehicle routing problem (CVRP). We consider the problems in the two-dimensional Euclidean setting. We show that both AR_F and AR_P are NP-hard, even for uniform vertex weights (i.e., when the cost of building an airport is the same for all cities). On the positive side, we provide polynomial time approximation schemes for AR_F and AR_P when vertex weights are uniform. We also investigate AR_F and AR_P for k = infinity. In this setting we present an exact polynomial time algorithm for AR_F with general vertex costs, which also works for general edge costs. In contrast to AR_F, AR_P remains NP-hard when k = infinity, and we present a polynomial time approximation scheme for general vertex weights. We believe that our PTAS for AR_P with uniform vertex weights and arbitrary k brings us closer towards a PTAS for Euclidean CVRP, for which the main difficulty is to deal with paths of length at most k.
Regulation of prostaglandin E2 synthase expression in activated primary rat microglia: Evidence for uncoupled regulation of mPGES‐1 and COX‐2

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is among the most important mediators involved in neuroinflammatory processes. The final step of its synthesis is regulated by enzymes termed prostaglandin E2 synthases (PGES). Three PGES are known, cytosolic (c)PGES, membrane‐associated (m)PGES‐1 and mPGES‐2. The expression of mPGES‐1 is induced by inflammatory stimuli such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), interleukin (IL)‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Although some roles of mPGES‐1 have already been suggested, its function in the CNS and the signaling pathways involved in its upregulation are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the regulation of mPGES‐1 in primary rat microglia and the signaling pathways involved in its expression. Whereas the expression of cPGES and mPGES‐2 was not stimulated by LPS, low doses of LPS (0.1–1 ng/mL) sufficiently stimulated mPGES‐1 mRNA expression. A corresponding protein synthesis, however, was obtained only with higher doses (10–100 ng/mL). The LPS‐induced increase of mPGES‐1 was inhibited by different signaling pathway inhibitors, such as SP600125, LY294002, GF109203X, and SC‐514, suggesting the involvement of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI‐3K)/Akt, protein kinase C (PKC) pathways, and the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB, respectively. In contrast to other reports, LPS‐induced mPGES‐1 synthesis was not invariably coupled to the synthesis of COX‐2, since inhibition of PI‐3K with LY294002 decreased mPGES‐1 but increased COX‐2 levels. This detailed view of the intracellular signaling pathways involved in mPGES‐1 expression in activated microglia opens a new avenue in the search for novel potential therapeutic targets to reduce neuroinflammation, and demonstrates that mPGES‐1 expression is not strictly coupled to the expression of COX‐2. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identifying confounders using additive noise models

We propose a method for inferring the existence of a latent common cause ("confounder") of two observed random variables. The method assumes that the two effects of the confounder are (possibly nonlinear) functions of the confounder plus independent, additive noise. We discuss under which conditions the model is identifiable (up to an arbitrary reparameterization of the confounder) from the joint distribution of the effects. We state and prove a theoretical result that provides evidence for the conjecture that the model is generically identifiable under suitable technical conditions. In addition, we propose a practical method to estimate the confounder from a finite i.i. d. sample of the effects and illustrate that the method works well on both simulated and real-world data.