Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Too Many Cooks Spoil the Profits: Investment Club Performance

We report our analysis, using account data from a large discount brokerage firm, of the common stock investment performance of 166 investment clubs from February 1991 through January 1997. The average club tilted its common stock investment toward high-beta, small-cap growth stocks and turned over 65 percent of its portfolio annually. The average club lagged the performance of a broad-based market index and the performance of individual investors. Moreover, 60 percent of the clubs underperformed the index. The financial press has made frequent and bold claims about the performance of investment clubs. One often-quoted figure from a National Association of Investors Corporation survey states that 60 percent of investment clubs beat the market. Are these claims myth or reality? We used account data from a large discount broker to analyze the common stock investment performance of 166 investment clubs from February 1991 to January 1997. We report that the average club earned an annualized geometric mean return of 14.1 percent whereas a market index returned 17.9 percent. In addition, 60 percent of the clubs we analyzed underperformed the index. Not only did the average club fail to beat the market, it failed to match the performance of the average individual investor, who earned 16.4 percent during our sample period. Two reasons account for the poor performance of investment clubs relative to individual investors—trading costs and investment style. Despite having roughly similar account sizes, the clubs executed smaller trades and held more stocks than did individuals. Thus, their proportionate cost of trading was higher. Trading costs accounted for approximately one-third of the clubs' performance shortfall relative to individuals. The remaining two-thirds of the shortfall was accounted for by investment style. Relative to individuals, the clubs tilted more toward large-cap stocks and growth stocks. During our sample period, large-cap stocks underperformed small-cap stocks by 15 basis points a month and growth stocks underperformed value stocks by 20 basis points a month. Investment clubs serve many useful functions: They encourage savings; they educate their members about financial matters; they foster friendships and social ties; and they entertain. Unfortunately, their investments do not beat the market.
Constitutive Expression of LIGHT on T Cells Leads to Lymphocyte Activation, Inflammation, and Tissue Destruction1 2

LIGHT, a member of the TNF family of cytokines (homologous to lymphotoxin, exhibits inducible expression and competes with HSV glycoprotein D for herpesvirus entry mediator, a receptor expressed on T cells), is induced on activated T cells and mediates costimulatory and antitumor activity in vitro. Relatively little information is available on the in vivo effects of LIGHT expression, particularly within the T cell compartment. In this work, we describe transgenic mice that express human LIGHT under the control of the CD2 promoter, resulting in constitutive transgene expression in cells of the T lymphocyte lineage. LIGHT-transgenic animals exhibit abnormalities in both lymphoid tissue architecture and the distribution of lymphocyte subsets. They also show signs of inflammation that are most severe in the intestine, along with tissue destruction of the reproductive organs. These LIGHT-mediated effects were recapitulated when immune-deficient mice were reconstituted with bone marrow from LIGHT-transgenic donor mice. T cells in the LIGHT-transgenic mice have an activated phenotype and mucosal T cells exhibit enhanced Th1 cytokine activity. The results indicate that LIGHT may function as an important regulator of T cell activation, and implicate LIGHT signaling pathways in inflammation focused on mucosal tissues.
Protein bioelectronics: a review of what we do and do not know

We review the status of protein-based molecular electronics. First, we define and discuss fundamental concepts of electron transfer and transport in and across proteins and proposed mechanisms for these processes. We then describe the immobilization of proteins to solid-state surfaces in both nanoscale and macroscopic approaches, and highlight how different methodologies can alter protein electronic properties. Because immobilizing proteins while retaining biological activity is crucial to the successful development of bioelectronic devices, we discuss this process at length. We briefly discuss computational predictions and their connection to experimental results. We then summarize how the biological activity of immobilized proteins is beneficial for bioelectronic devices, and how conductance measurements can shed light on protein properties. Finally, we consider how the research to date could influence the development of future bioelectronic devices.
A Multilayer-Based Framework for Online Background Subtraction with Freely Moving Cameras

The exponentially increasing use of moving platforms for video capture introduces the urgent need to develop the general background subtraction algorithms with the capability to deal with the moving background. In this paper, we propose a multilayer-based framework for online background subtraction for videos captured by moving cameras. Unlike the previous treatments of the problem, the proposed method is not restricted to binary segmentation of background and foreground, but formulates it as a multi-label segmentation problem by modeling multiple foreground objects in different layers when they appear simultaneously in the scene. We assign an independent processing layer to each foreground object, as well as the background, where both motion and appearance models are estimated, and a probability map is inferred using a Bayesian filtering framework. Finally, Multi-label Graph-cut on Markov Random Field is employed to perform pixel-wise labeling. Extensive evaluation results show that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art methods on challenging video sequences.
Representation of Similarity in Three-Dimensional Object Discrimination

How does the brain represent visual objects? In simple perceptual generalization tasks, the human visual system performs as if it represents the stimuli in a low-dimensional metric psychological space (Shepard 1987). In theories of three-dimensional (3D) shape recognition, the role of feature-space representations [as opposed to structural (Biederman 1987) or pictorial (Ullman 1989) descriptions] has long been a major point of contention. If shapes are indeed represented as points in a feature space, patterns of perceived similarity among different objects must reflect the structure of this space. The feature space hypothesis can then be tested by presenting subjects with complex parameterized 3D shapes, and by relating the similarities among subjective representations, as revealed in the response data by multidimensional scaling (Shepard 1980), to the objective parameterization of the stimuli. The results of four such tests, accompanied by computational simulations, support the notion that discrimination among 3D objects may rely on a low-dimensional feature space representation, and suggest that this space may be spanned by explicitly encoded class prototypes.
Multiscale Conditional Random Fields for Semi-supervised Labeling and Classification

Motivated by the abundance of images labeled only by their captions, we construct tree-structured multiscale conditional random fields capable of performing semi supervised learning. We show that such caption-only data can in fact increase pixel-level accuracy at test time. In addition, we compare two kinds of tree: the standard one with pair wise potentials, and one based on noisy-or potentials, which better matches the semantics of the recursive partitioning used to create the tree.
Association between the Adherence to the International Guidelines for Cancer Prevention and Mammographic Density

Introduction Mammographic density (MD) is considered a strong predictor of Breast Cancer (BC). The objective of the present study is to explore the association between MD and the compliance with the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) recommendations for cancer prevention. Methods Data of 3584 women attending screening from a population-based multicenter cross-sectional study (DDM-Spain) collected from October 7, 2007 through July 14, 2008, was used to calculate a score that measures the level of compliance with the WCRF/AICR recommendations: R1)Maintain adequate body weight; R2)Be physically active; 3R)Limit the intake of high density foods; R4)Eat mostly plant foods; R5)Limit the intake of animal foods; R6)Limit alcohol intake; R7)Limit salt and salt preserved food intake; R8)Meet nutritional needs through diet. The association between the score and MD (assessed by a single radiologist using a semi-quantitative scale) was evaluated using ordinal logistic models with random center-specific intercepts adjusted for the main determinants of MD. Stratified analyses by menopausal status and smoking status were also carried out. Results A higher compliance with the WCRF/AICR recommendations was associated with lower MD (OR1-unit increase = 0.93 95%CI:0.86;0.99). The association was stronger in postmenopausal women (OR = 0.91 95%CI:0.84;0.99) and nonsmokers (OR = 0.87;95%CI:0.80;0.96 for nonsmokers, OR = 1.01 95%CI:0.91;1.12 for smokers, P-interaction = 0.042). Among nonsmokers, maintaining adequate body weight (OR = 0.81 95%CI:0.65;1.01), practicing physical activity (OR = 0.68 95%CI:0.48;0.96) and moderating the intake of high-density foods (OR = 0.58 95%CI:0.40;0.86) and alcoholic beverages (OR = 0.76 95%CI:0.55;1.05) were the recommendations showing the strongest associations with MD. Conclusions postmenopausal women and non-smokers with greater compliance with the WCRF/AICR guidelines have lower MD. These results may provide guidance to design specific recommendations for screening attendants with high MD and therefore at higher risk of developing BC.
Enumeration of faecal coliforms from recreational coastal sites: evaluation of techniques for the separation of bacteria from sediments

Aims: To identify the most efficient techniques for the separation of micro‐organisms from coastal sediments and, using these techniques, to determine the concentration of faecal indicator organisms in recreational coastal water and sediment. Methods and Results: Sediment samples were taken from a range of recreational coastal sites and subjected to various physical techniques to separate micro‐organisms from sediment particles. Techniques investigated included manual shaking, treatment by sonication bath for 6 and 10 min, respectively, and by sonication probe for 15 s and 1 min, respectively. The use of the sonication bath for 10 min was the most successful method for removing micro‐organisms from sediment particles where sediments consisted mainly of sand. When sediments contained considerable proportions of silt and clay, however, manual shaking was most successful. Faecal coliforms were then enumerated by membrane filtration in both water and sediment from three recreational coastal sites, chosen to represent different physical sediment characteristics, over a 12‐month period. Faecal coliform concentrations were generally greater in sediment compared with overlying water for all samples. This was most evident in sediment consisting of greater silt/clay and organic carbon content. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the importance of sediment characteristics in determining the most efficient method for the separation of micro‐organisms from coastal sediments. Sediment characteristics were also found to influence the persistence of micro‐organisms in coastal areas. Significance and Impact of the Study: Recreational coastal sediments can act as a reservoir for faecal coliforms; therefore, sampling only overlying water may greatly underestimate the risk of exposure to potentially pathogenic micro‐organisms in recreational waters.
Using Stimulus Equivalence Procedures to Teach Relationships between English and Spanish Words.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using a stimulus equivalence procedure in the aquisition of English and Spanish words by head injured children. Two adolescents received a preassessment on 20 matching-to-sample tasks. RESULTS of the preassessment indicated that both participants could identify pictures and read the corresponding printed words in English. Neither individual, however, could translate oral and printed words from English to Spanish or Spanish to English. Following training, a postassessment was administered. Despite having received instruction on only one task, both participants attained high scores on all remaining matching-to-sample tasks. These scores remained high on a follow-up assessment completed 69 days after training. Hence, stimulus equivalence appears to be an effective procedure for teaching foreign language skills to head injured adolescents and maintaining these skills once they are taught.
Technology integration applied to project‐based learning in science

This paper reports the findings of a study which observed students’ (aged 10–11) use of technology during project‐based learning activities in science. As part of the overall process of project‐based learning, students used computer technology as a tool for collecting information, organising it and presenting it to their peers. Students conducted research (through guided research processes), interacted with peers, teachers and the community (through personal interviews and visits), and displayed their understanding of knowledge through the presentation of web‐pages. The results of the study indicate that all of the students achieved their research goals. Students’ learning outcomes were observed based on their achievements in relation to developing skills and ability to synthesise and elaborate knowledge, to engage in scientific exploratory tasks, and to use the technology for supporting and reporting their research work. Teacher’s support in relation to providing coaching skills is crucial to students’ success in a project‐based setting.
Ocean Net Heat Flux Influences Seasonal to Interannual Patterns of Plankton Abundance

Changes in the net heat flux (NHF) into the ocean have profound impacts on global climate. We analyse a long-term plankton time-series and show that the NHF is a critical indicator of ecosystem dynamics. We show that phytoplankton abundance and diversity patterns are tightly bounded by the switches between negative and positive NHF over an annual cycle. Zooplankton increase before the transition to positive NHF in the spring but are constrained by the negative NHF switch in autumn. By contrast bacterial diversity is decoupled from either NHF switch, but is inversely correlated (r = −0.920) with the magnitude of the NHF. We show that the NHF is a robust mechanistic tool for predicting climate change indicators such as spring phytoplankton bloom timing and length of the growing season.
The CCR4-NOT Complex Is Implicated in the Viability of Aneuploid Yeasts

To identify the genes required to sustain aneuploid viability, we screened a deletion library of non-essential genes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, in which most types of aneuploidy are eventually lethal to the cell. Aneuploids remain viable for a period of time and can form colonies by reducing the extent of the aneuploidy. We hypothesized that a reduction in colony formation efficiency could be used to screen for gene deletions that compromise aneuploid viability. Deletion mutants were used to measure the effects on the viability of spores derived from triploid meiosis and from a chromosome instability mutant. We found that the CCR4-NOT complex, an evolutionarily conserved general regulator of mRNA turnover, and other related factors, including poly(A)-specific nuclease for mRNA decay, are involved in aneuploid viability. Defective mutations in CCR4-NOT complex components in the distantly related yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae also affected the viability of spores produced from triploid cells, suggesting that this complex has a conserved role in aneuploids. In addition, our findings suggest that the genes required for homologous recombination repair are important for aneuploid viability.
Smoking behavior among French and American women.

BACKGROUND This paper presents an analysis of the sociodemographic factors related to cigarette smoking prevalence and the number of cigarettes smoked daily among nationally representative samples of 18- to 64-year-old French (n = 1,956) and American (n = 20,234) women. METHODS This analysis combines 2 separate years (1992 and 1993) of data collected by the National Health Interview Survey in the United States and the Comité Francais d'Education pour la Santé in France. Weighted data analysis of the effects of age, employment status, education, and socioprofessional status was conducted using both SPSS and the SUDAAN complex sample survey analysis program. RESULTS The prevalence of smoking among French female smokers was significantly higher than among American women (30.8% vs 26.3%) and particularly among the younger age groups. However, the average number of cigarettes smoked per day was appreciably and significantly lower for French women (12.3) than for American women (18.2). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed statistically significant interaction terms differentiating the impact of marital status, age, and education on the smoking status of French and American women, as well as the sociodemographic determinants of the number of cigarettes smoked. Education was inversely related to smoking among American women but positively associated with the smoking behavior of French women. CONCLUSIONS Differences in the smoking behavior of French and American women support the view that sociodemographic factors do not affect the smoking behavior of women in Western industrialized countries similarly and reinforce the importance of international public health measures targeting the increasing rate of smoking among women.
Social Studies IS Being Taught in the Elementary School: A Contrarian View.

This study questions the belief that little or no social studies is being taught in regular elementary education classrooms. That belief is based on time studies and a body of research that looks at curriculum and teacher interviews and concludes that the social studies time block has been decreased in elementary classrooms, therefore little or no social studies is being taught. In light of the previous research, we decided to conduct a study that asked is social studies being taught, and if so, how is it being taught? A list of key social studies concepts for grades 1-5 were used to survey approximately 100 elementary school teachers in a southwestern school district. Teachers used a Likert Scale to rate how often they taught each concept. From the initial survey, 10 teachers were interviewed regarding how they approach teaching social studies concepts and were asked to share sample lesson plans with the researchers. Analysis revealed that elementary teachers (grades 15) were teaching most social studies concepts in traditional time blocks incorporating content integration from a variety of curriculum areas, such as reading, art, mathematics, and science. Sample lesson plans obtained from the teachers showed the use of content integration and the focus on social studies concepts. The
Evaluation of the genotoxic and antigenotoxic potential of Melissa officinalis in mice

Melissa officinalis (L.) (Lamiaceae), a plant known as the lemon balm, is native to the east Mediterranean region and west Asia. Also found in tropical countries, such as Brazil, where it is popularly known as “erva-cidreira” or “melissa”, it is widely used in aqueous- or alcoholic-extract form in the treatment of various disorders. The aim was to investigate in vivo its antigenotoxicity and antimutagenicity, as well as its genotoxic/mutagenic potential through comet and micronucleus assaying. CF-1 male mice were treated with ethanolic (Mo-EE) (250 or 500 mg/kg) or aqueous (Mo-AE) (100 mg/kg) solutions of an M. officinalis extract for 2 weeks, prior to treatment with saline or Methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) doses by intraperitoneal injection. Irrespective of the doses, no genotoxic or mutagenic effects were observed in blood and bone-marrow samples. Although Mo-EE exerted an antigenotoxic effect on the blood cells of mice treated with the alkylating agent (MMS) in all the doses, this was not so with Mo-AE. Micronucleus testing revealed the protector effect of Mo-EE, but only when administered at the highest dose. The implication that an ethanolic extract of M. officinalis has antigenotoxic/antimutagenic properties is an indication of its medicinal relevance.
Compressed sensing recovery algorithms and VLSI implementation

This paper proposes two recovery algorithms modified from subspace pursuit(SP) for compressed sensing problems. These algorithms can reduce the complexity of SP and maintain high recovery rate. Complexity analysis and simulation results are provided to demonstrate the improvements. Additionally this work has implemented the VLSI circuit APR of the proposed algorithm using TSMC 90 nm process. The target clock frequency is 100MHz, and the corresponding APR dimension is 11. 69μμ2. Based on the post-layout simulation the average power consumption is 431 mW.
A Model of Instrumental Networks: The Roles of Socialized Charismatic Leadership and Group Behavior

This article introduces a model of the development of instrumental networks inside organizational groups. We provide a theoretical framework and empirically test a series of hypotheses pertaining to the relationships between socialized charismatic leadership (SCL) and its consequences in terms of cooperative and sanctioning group behavior. We then examine whether these behaviors predict the density of instrumental networks inside groups and, consequently, their performance. Our findings, based on assessments of 70 group leaders and their approximately 500 subordinates, colleagues, and supervisors, show that SCL is associated with heightened levels of cooperation and lower levels of sanctioning in groups. Cooperation, in turn, is associated with the instrumental network density of the group. Our findings also demonstrate that under conditions of physical proximity, instrumental network density predicts group performance. The study provides an understanding of group social psychological processes in relation to the development of instrumental networks inside organizational groups.