Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Black holes and large N species solution to the hierarchy problem

We provide the perturbative and non‐perturbative arguments showing that theories with large number of species of the quantum fields, imply an inevitable hierarchy between the masses of the species and the Planck scale, shedding a different light on the hierarchy problem. In particular, using the black hole physics, we prove that any consistent theory that includes N Z2‐conserved species of the quantum fields of mass Λ, must have a value of the Planck mass, which in large N limit is given by MP2 \gsim N Λ2. An useful byproduct of this proof is that any exactly conserved quantum charge, not associated with a long‐range classical field, must be defined maximum modulo N, with N \gsim (MP/m)2, where m is the mass of the unit charge. For example, a continuous global U(1) ‘baryon number’ symmetry, must be explicitly broken by gravity, at least down to a ZN subgroup, with N \lsim (MP/mb)2, where mb is the baryon mass. The same constraint applies to any discrete gauge symmetry, as well as to other quantum‐mechanically‐detectable black hole charges that are associated with the massive quantum hair of the black hole. We show that the gravitationally‐coupled N‐species sector that solves the gauge hirearchy problem, should be probed by LHC.
An Analysis of Risk Assessment Questions Based on Loss-Averse Preferences

A variety of risk assessment questionnaires are used within the financial planning profession to assess client risk preferences. Evidence indicates that the average person overweighs losses relative to an arbitrary reference point. This paper evaluated risk assessment questions on how well they correlate with monetary loss aversion. Twenty-nine Western Texas residents between the ages of 27 and 56 participated in experimental research and filled out several risk assessment questionnaires. Two weeks later their levels of loss aversion were measured using monetary gain and loss scenarios. The individual risk assessment questions were placed into three categories: expected utility theory, prospect theory and self-assessment. Composite measures were created for within-group and between-group comparisons. Statistically significant correlations were found between monetary loss aversion and different composite measures. The results provide financial planners with a group of risk assessment questions that capture loss-averse preferences.
Do men benefit more than women from an interventional strategy in patients with unstable angina or non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction ? The impact of gender in the RITA 3 trial

T.C. Clayton*, S.J. Pocock, R.A. Henderson, P.A. Poole-Wilson, T.R. D. Shaw, R. Knight, K.A. A. Fox a Medical Statistics Unit, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK b Department of Cardiology, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK c National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK d Department of Cardiology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK e Department of Medical and Radiological Sciences, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK
Significance of Input Correlations in Striatal Function

The striatum is the main input station of the basal ganglia and is strongly associated with motor and cognitive functions. Anatomical evidence suggests that individual striatal neurons are unlikely to share their inputs from the cortex. Using a biologically realistic large-scale network model of striatum and cortico-striatal projections, we provide a functional interpretation of the special anatomical structure of these projections. Specifically, we show that weak pairwise correlation within the pool of inputs to individual striatal neurons enhances the saliency of signal representation in the striatum. By contrast, correlations among the input pools of different striatal neurons render the signal representation less distinct from background activity. We suggest that for the network architecture of the striatum, there is a preferred cortico-striatal input configuration for optimal signal representation. It is further enhanced by the low-rate asynchronous background activity in striatum, supported by the balance between feedforward and feedback inhibitions in the striatal network. Thus, an appropriate combination of rates and correlations in the striatal input sets the stage for action selection presumably implemented in the basal ganglia.
Mapracorat, a novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, inhibits hyperosmolar-induced cytokine release and MAPK pathways in human corneal epithelial cells

Purpose Increasing evidence suggests that tear hyperosmolarity is a central mechanism causing ocular surface inflammation and damage in dry eye disease. Mapracorat (BOL-303242-X) is a novel glucocorticoid receptor agonist currently under clinical evaluation for use in the treatment of dry eye disease. This study assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of mapracorat in an in vitro osmotic stress model which mimics some of the pathophysiological changes seen in dry eye. Methods Human corneal epithelial cells were cultured in normal osmolar media (317 mOsM) or 440 mOsM hyperosmolar media for 24 h. Luminex technology was used to determine the effect of mapracorat on hyperosmolar-induced cytokine release. Effects of mapracorat on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation were determined by cell based ELISA. Effects of mapracorat on nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcriptional activity were assessed by reporter gene assay. Dexamethasone was used as a control. Results Hyperosmolar conditions induced release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) from cultured human corneal epithelial cells, and altered the phosphorylation state of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and transcriptional activity of NFκB and AP-1. Incubation of cells with mapracorat inhibited hyperosmolar-induced cytokine release with comparable activity and potency as dexamethasone. This inhibition was reversed by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone (RU-486). Increased phosphorylation of p38 and JNK caused by hyperosmolarity was inhibited by mapracorat. Mapracorat also significantly decreased the hyperosmolar-induced increase in NFκB and AP-1 transcriptional activity. Conclusions Mapracorat acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in corneal epithelial cells challenged with osmotic stress, with comparable activity to the traditional steroid dexamethasone. These in vitro data suggest that mapracorat may be efficacious in the treatment of dry eye disease.
Government Debt, Government Spending, and Private Sector Behavior: Comment

In a recent issue of this Review (1983), Roger Kormendi relied upon the work of Martin Bailey (1962, 1971) and Robert Barro (1974) "to develop an alternative approach to modeling private sector consumptionsaving behavior based on rational evaluation of the consequences of government fiscal policy" (p. 995). Briefly, this approach involves determining to what extent government spending substitutes for private consumption, and to what extent government debt is net wealth and thereby also affects private consumption. This "consolidated approach" to examining private sector consumption is not only novel, but appears at a time when there is widespread interest as well as controversy over the effects of government fiscal policy. It therefore seems only appropriate to examine further the results obtained by Kormendi-not to criticize them but rather to explore their robustness. This comment specifically explores the sensitivity of Kormendi's results to alternative time periods of estimation, to the differentiation between federal debt and state and local government debt, and to the measurement of government debt-particularly par vs. market value.
An extended Vlasov equation with pairing correlations

A simplified version of the Wigner--transformed time--dependent Hartree--Fock--Bogoliubov equations, leading to a solvable model for finite systems of fermions with pairing correlations, is introduced. In this model, pairing correlations result in a coupling of the Vlasov--type equation for the normal phase--space density with that for the imaginary part of the anomalous density. The effect of pairing correlations on the linear response of the system is studied for a finite one--dimensional system and an explicit expression for the correlated propagator is given.
There's No Such Thing as the Perfect Map: Quantifying Bias in Spatial Crowd-sourcing Datasets

Crowd-sourcing has become a popular form of computer mediated collaborative work and OpenStreetMap represents one of the most successful crowd-sourcing systems, where the goal of building and maintaining an accurate global map of the world is being accomplished by means of contributions made by over 1.2M citizens. However, within this apparently large crowd, a tiny group of highly active users is responsible for the mapping of almost all the content. One may thus wonder to what extent the information being mapped is biased towards the interests and agenda of this group of users. In this paper, we present a method to quantitatively measure content bias in crowd-sourced geographic information. We then apply the method to quantify content bias across a three-year period of OpenStreetMap mapping in 40 countries. We find almost no content bias in terms of what is being mapped, but significant geographic bias; furthermore, we find that bias in terms of meticulousness varies with culture.
SURFACE DEGRADATION OF COMPOSITE RESINS BY ACIDIC MEDICINES AND pH-CYCLING

This study evaluated the effects of acidic medicines (Dimetapp® and Claritin®), under pH-cycling conditions, on the surface degradation of four composite resins (microhybrid: TPH, Concept, Opallis and Nanofilled: Supreme). Thirty disc-shaped specimens (Ø = 5.0 mm / thickness = 2.0 mm) of each composite were randomly assigned to 3 groups (n = 10): a control and two experimental groups, according to the acidic medicines evaluated. The specimens were finished and polished with aluminum oxide discs, and the surface roughness was measured by using a profilometer. After the specimens were submitted to a pH-cycling regimen and immersion in acidic medicines for 12 days, the surface roughness was measured again. Two specimens for each material and group were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after pH-cycling. Data were analyzed by the Student's-t test, ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test and paired t-test (α=0.05). Significant increase in roughness was found only for TPH in the control group and TPH and Supreme immersed in Claritin® (p<0.05). SEM analyses showed that the 4 composite resins underwent erosion and surface degradation after being subjected to the experimental conditions. In conclusion, although the roughness was slightly affected, the pH-cycling and acidic medicines caused surface degradation of the composite resins evaluated. Titratable acidity seemed to play a more crucial role on surface degradation of composite resins than pH.
Deformations of third order Peregrine breather solutions of the NLS equation with four parameters

In this paper, we give new solutions of the focusing NLS equation as a quotient of two determinants. This formulation gives in the case of the order 3, new deformations of the Peregrine breather with four parameters. This gives a very efficient procedure to construct families of quasirational solutions of the NLS equation and to describe the apparition of multi rogue waves. With this method, we construct the analytical expressions of deformations of the Peregrine breather of order N = 3 depending on 4 real parameters and plot different types of rogue waves.
Global Demographic Change and Demand for Food in Australia

The analysis of global population forecasts of the past 30 years by the US National Academy of Sciences confirms that errors have been considerable and that population forecasts have generally been upward-biased. Recent stochastic population projections also yield wide error bounds. We discuss the demographic implications of one set of stochastic projections and adapt a standard global economic model to estimate the implications of population forecast errors for the performance of the global economy and its agricultural sectors. The model is GTAP-Dynamic, a recursively dynamic, applied general equilibrium model of the world economy widely used in the analysis of trade policy. The results indicate that the growth rate of population in the rest of the world is important for Australia’s economic health. If the global population grows more slowly than the median forecast suggests, Australia’s manufacturing and services sectors would gain at the expense of commodities. The impact on individual agricultural sectors also depends on which region the slower population growth occurs
Acute Heat Stress Responses of Three Lines of Chickens with Different Heat Shock Protein (HSP)-70 Genotypes

An experiment was conducted to study the response of three chicken lines with different HSP 70 genotypes to acute heat stress. Twenty eight kampong chicken (native chicken, with seven genotypes i.e., AA, AB, AC, CC, AD, DD and BC) and twenty four Arabic chicken (with six genotypes i.e., AA, AB, AC, CC, AD and BC) and four commercial chickens (with one genotype i.e., DD) were used and randomly allocated in a factorial arrangement into groups which their HSP 70 genotypes had been identified. Acute heat stress was exposed at 40°C for 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 h, respectively, using chamber in 33 x 33 x 75 cm . Parameters 3 measured were the onset of panting (minute), panting frequency (times/minute), feed consumption (g/minute), water consumption (mL/minute), manure water content (%), rectal temperature (°C), serum corticosterone concentration (μg/dL) and HSP 70 expression (copy mRNA). The result of this study showed that there was an interaction between chicken lines and acute heat stress exposure on water consumption and manure water content. Chicken lines affected panting frequencies and manure water content but it did not affect the onset of panting, feed and water consumptions, rectal temperature, serum corticosterone concentration and expression of HSP 70. Acute heat stress increased panting frequency, drinking water consumption, manure water content, rectal temperature, serum corticosterone concentration, HSP 70 expression and it decreased feed consumption. The highest response on panting frequency, rectal temperature, serum corticosterone concentration and expression of HSP 70 was found in the DD genotype and the lowest in AD genotype. The most rapid onset of panting occurred in DD genotype and the slowest in AD genotype. The study revealed interaction between chicken lines and HSP 70 genotypes in heat resistance. Kampong chicken had the highest heat resistance as compared to Arabic and commercial chickens but HSP 70 genotypes that was the most tolerant to high ambient temperature was AD genotype where as the lowest tolerant was DD genotype.
Towards a dynamic analysis of multiple-store shopping: evidence from Spanish panel data

This paper aims to determine why consumer purchasing of fast moving consumer goods varies over time in Spain. More specifically, we want to explain multiple-store shopping in the households belonging to an AC Nielsen panel that provides information about household shopping decisions between April 2003 and April 2004. In order to achieve this purpose, a Bayesian Dynamic Tobit model is used. The results allow us to confirm the influence of several demographical and geographical variables on household multiple-store shopping during the sample period. Managerial implications are drawn and future lines of research are suggested.
Improving background subtraction using Local Binary Similarity Patterns

Most of the recently published background subtraction methods can still be classified as pixel-based, as most of their analysis is still only done using pixel-by-pixel comparisons. Few others might be regarded as spatial-based (or even spatiotemporal-based) methods, as they take into account the neighborhood of each analyzed pixel. Although the latter types can be viewed as improvements in many cases, most of the methods that have been proposed so far suffer in complexity, processing speed, and/or versatility when compared to their simpler pixel-based counterparts. In this paper, we present an adaptive background subtraction method, derived from the low-cost and highly efficient ViBe method, which uses a spatiotemporal binary similarity descriptor instead of simply relying on pixel intensities as its core component. We then test this method on multiple video sequences and show that by only replacing the core component of a pixel-based method it is possible to dramatically improve its overall performance while keeping memory usage, complexity and speed at acceptable levels for online applications.
Interplay between Misplaced Müllerian-Derived Stem Cells and Peritoneal Immune Dysregulation in the Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

In the genetic regulation of Müllerian structures development, a key role is played by Hoxa and Wnt clusters, because they lead the transcription of different genes according to the different phases of the organogenesis, addressing correctly cell-to-cell interactions, allowing, finally, the physiologic morphogenesis. Accumulating evidence is suggesting that dysregulation of Wnt and/or Hox genes may affect cell migration during organogenesis and differentiation of Müllerian structures of the female reproductive tract, with possible dislocation and dissemination of primordial endometrial stem cells in ectopic regions, which have high plasticity to differentiation. We hypothesize that during postpubertal age, under the influence of different stimuli, these misplaced and quiescent ectopic endometrial cells could acquire new phenotype, biological functions, and immunogenicity. So, these kinds of cells may differentiate, specializing in epithelium, glands, and stroma to form a functional ectopic endometrial tissue. This may provoke a breakdown in the peritoneal cavity homeostasis, with the consequent processes of immune alteration, documented by peripheral mononuclear cells recruitment and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in early phases and of angiogenic and fibrogenic cytokines in the late stages of the disease.
Conditional contraction: Globalisation and capitalist systems

The effect of globalisation on social spending is one of the most intensely studied issues in the political economy literature. Until recently, conventional wisdom held that globalisation leads governments to expand social spending to compensate workers for increasing risk exposure. The latest research shows, however, that globalisation has become strongly associated with spending cutbacks since the late 1980s. This article adds to this research by arguing that the negative impact of globalisation is conditioned on the capitalist system in different countries. In coordinated market economies (CMEs), employers are dependent on the willingness of the workforce to invest in specific skills and therefore become supportive of extensive social spending. Not so in liberal market economies (LMEs), where employers are much less dependent on social spending because the workforce in general invests less in specific skills. Employers in LMEs are therefore likely to use increasing globalisation as a means to push through retrenchment, whereas employers in CMEs are not. This argument is tested in a time-series cross-section regression analysis, which clearly supports it.
Energy and Power Risk Management: New Developments in Modeling, Pricing, and Hedging

Introduction. Chapter 1. Markets. Chapter 2. Basic Products and Structures. Chapter 3. Data. Chapter 4. Reduced-form Processes. Chapter 5. Forward Price Processes. Chapter 6. Correlation. Chapter 7. Hybrid Process for Power Prices. Chapter 8. Structured Products: Fuels and Other Commodities. Chapter 9. Power Plants and Other Cross-commodity Derivatives. Chapter 10. Risk Management. Appendix A: Multidimensional Monte Carlo Simulation with a Given Volatility and Correlation Structure: The Case of GBM. Appendix B: Optimization of Operations of Physical Assets. Bibliography. Index.
Agreement between PRE2DUP register data modeling method and comprehensive drug use interview among older persons

Background PRE2DUP is a modeling method that generates drug use periods (ie, when drug use started and ended) from drug purchases recorded in dispensing-based register data. It is based on the evaluation of personal drug purchasing patterns and considers hospital stays, possible stockpiling of drugs, and package information. Objective The objective of this study was to investigate person-level agreement between self-reported drug use in the interview and drug use modeled from dispensing data with PRE2DUP method for various drug classes used by older persons. Methods Self-reported drug use was assessed from the GeMS Study including a random sample of persons aged ≥75 years from the city of Kuopio, Finland, in 2006. Drug purchases recorded in the Prescription register data of these persons were modeled to determine drug use periods with PRE2DUP modeling method. Agreement between self-reported drug use on the interview date and drug use calculated from register-based data was compared in order to find the frequently used drugs and drug classes, which was evaluated by Cohen’s kappa. Kappa values 0.61–0.80 were considered to represent good and 0.81–1.00 as very good agreement. Results Among 569 participants with mean age of 82 years, the agreement between interview and register data was very good for 75% and very good or good for 93% of the studied drugs or drug classes. Good or very good agreement was observed for drugs that are typically used on regular bases, whereas “as needed” drugs represented poorer results. Conclusion PRE2DUP modeling method validly describes regular drug use among older persons. For most of drug classes investigated, PRE2DUP-modeled register data described drug use as well as interview-based data which are more time-consuming to collect. Further studies should be conducted by comparing it with other methods and in different drug user populations.
An Investigation of the Significance of Residual Confounding Effect

Background. Observational studies are commonly conducted in health research. However, due to their lack of randomization, the estimated associations between the outcome and the exposure can be affected by unmeasured confounding factors. It is important to determine how likely a significant association observed between an outcome variable and a noncausally related exposure may be introduced by residual confounding factors. Methods. A simulation approach is developed based on the sufficient cause model to test the likelihood of significant associations observed between a noncausally related exposure and the outcome. Results. Based on the estimates from all 500 replicates, the association between the exposure and the outcome is found to be significant in 386 (77%) replicates when all confounders (component causes) are controlled for in the model. However, when a subset of real component causes and some noncausal factors are controlled for in the model, the association between exposure and the outcome becomes significant in 487 (97%) replicates. Conclusion. Even when all confounding factors are known and controlled for using conventional multivariate analysis, the observed association between exposure and outcome can still be dominated by residual confounding effects. Therefore, an observed significant association apparently provides limited evidence for a causal relationship.