Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Strategic Asset Allocation

To implement strategic asset allocation, we must determine risk and return expectations for the various asset classes. Starting from the paradigm that long-run asset returns are determined by the long-run fundamentals of the economy, a fair value approach to building expectations is crucial. This paper proposes to formalize a quantitative and systematic methodology for optimizing portfolios, from the determination of long-run fundamental pillars, through the modeling of asset returns and the assessment of market risks. We apply forecasting models and build in the specific of the main asset classes, (equities, bonds and alternative investments), depending on the uncertainties they represent for the risk-averse investor. Our resulting allocations, within the equity asset class and with regard to the place of alternative investments, question the choices of long-term institutional investors, such as pension funds that have shifted their long-run allocations in response to the recent financial crisis.
Title extraction from bodies of HTML documents and its application to web page retrieval

This paper is concerned with automatic extraction of titles from the bodies of HTML documents. Titles of HTML documents should be correctly defined in the title fields; however, in reality HTML titles are often bogus. It is desirable to conduct automatic extraction of titles from the bodies of HTML documents. This is an issue which does not seem to have been investigated previously. In this paper, we take a supervised machine learning approach to address the problem. We propose a specification on HTML titles. We utilize format information such as font size, position, and font weight as features in title extraction. Our method significantly outperforms the baseline method of using the lines in largest font size as title (20.9%-32.6% improvement in F1 score). As application, we consider web page retrieval. We use the TREC Web Track data for evaluation. We propose a new method for HTML documents retrieval using extracted titles. Experimental results indicate that the use of both extracted titles and title fields is almost always better than the use of title fields alone; the use of extracted titles is particularly helpful in the task of named page finding (23.1% -29.0% improvements).
Generalized double affine Hecke algebras of higher rank

We define generalized double affine Hecke algebras (GDAHA) of higher rank, attached to a non-Dynkin star-like graph D. This generalizes GDAHA of rank 1 defined in math.QA/0406480 and math.QA/0409261. If the graph is extended D4, then GDAHA is the algebra defined by Sahi in q-alg/9710032, which is a generalization of the Cherednik algebra of type BCn. We prove the formal PBW theorem for GDAHA, and parametrize its irreducible representations in the case when D is affine (i.e. extended D4, E6, E7, E8) and q=1. We formulate a series of conjectures regarding algebraic properties of GDAHA. We expect that, similarly to how GDAHA of rank 1 provide quantizations of del Pezzo surfaces (as shown in math.QA/0406480), GDAHA of higher rank provide quantizations of deformations of Hilbert schemes of these surfaces. The proofs are based on the study of the rational version of GDAHA (which is closely related to the algebras studied in math.QA/0401038), and differential equations of Knizhnik-Zamolodchikov type.
Measure order of convergence without an exact solution, Euler vs Milstein Scheme

The purpose of this paper is to measure the strong and weak order of convergence of both the Euler and Milstein schemes using a stochas- tic volatility model and an N −dimensional Exponential Brownian Motion Process (EBM). An exact solution is normally required to calculate the order of convergence, however there are none available for this volatility process. We propose a method to solve this problem. We also show numerically that when we apply the Milstein scheme to an N −dimensional stochastic process, there is a need to take into account the correlation between the systems.
Peripheral identities in contemporary Spain

This article examines the individual and contextual factors affecting peripheral identifications in Spain. It does so by conducting multilevel statistical analyses on two surveys on regional and national identifications that were carried out by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas in 1996 and 2006, at two very different political conjunctures. At the individual level, these analyses show that peripheral identifications are strongly conditioned by language attributes (in particular by vernacular mother languages), by the place of birth of respondents and by left–right self-placements. At the aggregate level, only geographical distance from the national centre exerts a significant and consistent influence on peripheral identifications. Our analysis reveals also that the effects of language attributes and ideological orientations increased from 1996 to 2006, and suggests that contexts of polarisation regarding political–territorial issues strengthen the influence of linguistic characteristics and ideological orientations on peripheral identities.
Coastal Upwelling Drives Intertidal Assemblage Structure and Trophic Ecology

Similar environmental driving forces can produce similarity among geographically distant ecosystems. Coastal oceanic upwelling, for example, has been associated with elevated biomass and abundance patterns of certain functional groups, e.g., corticated macroalgae. In the upwelling system of Northern Chile, we examined measures of intertidal macrobenthic composition, structure and trophic ecology across eighteen shores varying in their proximity to two coastal upwelling centres, in a hierarchical sampling design (spatial scales of >1 and >10 km). The influence of coastal upwelling on intertidal communities was confirmed by the stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) of consumers, including a dominant suspension feeder, grazers, and their putative resources of POM, epilithic biofilm, and macroalgae. We highlight the utility of muscle δ15N from the suspension feeding mussel, Perumytilus purpuratus, as a proxy for upwelling, supported by satellite data and previous studies. Where possible, we used corrections for broader-scale trends, spatial autocorrelation, ontogenetic dietary shifts and spatial baseline isotopic variation prior to analysis. Our results showed macroalgal assemblage composition, and benthic consumer assemblage structure, varied significantly with the intertidal influence of coastal upwelling, especially contrasting bays and coastal headlands. Coastal topography also separated differences in consumer resource use. This suggested that coastal upwelling, itself driven by coastline topography, influences intertidal communities by advecting nearshore phytoplankton populations offshore and cooling coastal water temperatures. We recommend the isotopic values of benthic organisms, specifically long-lived suspension feeders, as in situ alternatives to offshore measurements of upwelling influence.
Interstitial collagen turnover during airway remodeling in acute and chronic experimental asthma

Asthma airway remodeling is characterized by the thickening of the basement membrane (BM) due to an increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, which contributes to the irreversibility of airflow obstruction. Interstitial collagens are the primary ECM components to be increased during the fibrotic process. The aim of the present study was to examine the interstitial collagen turnover during the course of acute and chronic asthma, and 1 month after the last exposure to the allergen. Guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and exposed to 3 further OVA challenges (acute model) or 12 OVA challenges (chronic model) were used as asthma experimental models. A group of animals from either model was sacrificed 1 h or 1 month after the last OVA challenge. Collagen distribution, collagen content, interstitial collagenase activity and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-13 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 protein expression levels were measured in the lung tissue samples from both experimental models. The results revealed that collagen deposit in bronchiole BM, adventitial and airway smooth muscle layers was increased in both experimental models as well as lung tissue collagen concentration. These structural changes persisted 1 month after the last OVA challenge. In the acute model, a decrease in collagenase activity and in MMP-1 concentration was observed. Collagenase activity returned to basal levels, and an increase in MMP-1 and MMP-13 expression levels along with a decrease in TIMP-1 expression levels were observed in animals sacrificed 1 month after the last OVA challenge. In the chronic model, there were no changes in collagenase activity or in MMP-13 concentration, although MMP-1 expression levels increased. One month later, an increase in collagenase activity was observed, although MMP-1 and TIMP-1 levels were not altered. The results of the present study suggest that even when the allergen challenges were discontinued, and collagenase activity and MMP-1 expression increased, fibrosis remained, contributing to the irreversibility of bronchoconstriction.
Childhood Height and Birth Weight in Relation to Future Prostate Cancer Risk: A Cohort Study Based on the Copenhagen School Health Records Register

Background: Adult height has been positively associated with prostate cancer risk. However, the exposure window of importance is currently unknown and assessments of height during earlier growth periods are scarce. In addition, the association between birth weight and prostate cancer remains undetermined. We assessed these relationships in a cohort of the Copenhagen School Health Records Register (CSHRR). Methods: The CSHRR comprises 372,636 school children. For boys born between the 1930s and 1969, birth weight and annual childhood heights—measured between ages 7 and 13 years—were analyzed in relation to prostate cancer risk. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: There were 125,211 males for analysis, 2,987 of who were subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer during 2.57 million person-years of follow-up. Height z-score was significantly associated with prostate cancer risk at all ages (HRs, 1.13 to 1.14). Height at age 13 years was more important than height change (P = 0.024) and height at age 7 years (P = 0.024), when estimates from mutually adjusted models were compared. Adjustment of birth weight did not alter the estimates. Birth weight was not associated with prostate cancer risk. Conclusions: The association between childhood height and prostate cancer risk was driven by height at age 13 years. Impact: Our findings implicate late childhood, adolescence, and adulthood growth periods as containing the exposure window(s) of interest that underlies the association between height and prostate cancer. The causal factor may not be singular given the complexity of both human growth and carcinogenesis. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2232–40. ©2013 AACR.
IL-21–induced Bɛ cell apoptosis mediated by natural killer T cells suppresses IgE responses

Epidemiological studies have suggested that the recent increase in the incidence and severity of immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergic disorders is inversely correlated with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination; however, the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. Here, we demonstrate that natural killer T (NKT) cells in mice and humans play a crucial role in the BCG-induced suppression of IgE responses. BCG-activated murine Vα14 NKT cells, but not conventional CD4 T cells, selectively express high levels of interleukin (IL)-21, which preferentially induces apoptosis in Bɛ cells. Signaling from the IL-21 receptor increases the formation of a complex between Bcl-2 and the proapoptotic molecule Bcl-2–modifying factor, resulting in Bɛ cell apoptosis. Similarly, BCG vaccination induces IL-21 expression by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in a partially NKT cell–dependent fashion. BCG-activated PBMCs significantly reduce IgE production by human B cells. These findings provide new insight into the therapeutic effect of BCG in allergic diseases.
Puma Deletion Delays Cardiac Dysfunction in Murine Heart Failure Models Through Attenuation of Apoptosis

Background— Puma (p53-upregulated modulator of apoptosis) is a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein that serves as a general sensor in response to pathological apoptotic stimuli. In previous work, we demonstrated that puma ablation protects the heart from reperfusion injury in a Langendorff setting. Consistent with this, downregulation of Puma in isolated cardiac myocytes prevented apoptosis induced by different proapoptotic agents. Here, we extended our research to investigate the role of Puma, a downstream mediator of p53, in the development of heart failure using Puma−/− mice. Methods and Results— Mice underwent transverse aortic constriction, and the characteristics of cardiac remodeling were analyzed by echocardiography, histology, and gene expression at multiple time points after surgery. Four weeks after the operation, puma deletion attenuated pressure overload–induced apoptosis and fibrosis; however, it did not affect hypertrophy and angiogenesis and maintained functional performance (fractional shortening, 39% versus 25.2% in Puma−/− versus WT mice, respectively). Even at 12 weeks after transverse aortic constriction, Puma−/− mice displayed only slightly reduced contractility. In addition, transverse aortic constriction induced puma expression in a partially p53-dependent manner. To corroborate these findings, we studied another heart failure model in which heart-specific mdm4 deletion leads to p53 activation and dilated cardiomyopathy. In these mice, Puma was upregulated and its deletion rescued the cardiomyopathy phenotype. Conclusions— Our data indicate that Puma might be a critical component of the apoptotic signaling pathways that contribute to ventricular remodeling and heart failure. Therefore, Puma inactivation may serve as a preferential target to prevent heart failure induced by cellular stress.
Exploiting Prior Knowledge in Compressed Sensing Wireless ECG Systems

Recent results in telecardiology show that compressed sensing (CS) is a promising tool to lower energy consumption in wireless body area networks for electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring. However, the performance of current CS-based algorithms, in terms of compression rate and reconstruction quality of the ECG, still falls short of the performance attained by state-of-the-art wavelet-based algorithms. In this paper, we propose to exploit the structure of the wavelet representation of the ECG signal to boost the performance of CS-based methods for compression and reconstruction of ECG signals. More precisely, we incorporate prior information about the wavelet dependencies across scales into the reconstruction algorithms and exploit the high fraction of common support of the wavelet coefficients of consecutive ECG segments. Experimental results utilizing the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database show that significant performance gains, in terms of compression rate and reconstruction quality, can be obtained by the proposed algorithms compared to current CS-based methods.
Decreased Expression of Beclin 1 Correlates Closely with Bcl-xL Expression and Poor Prognosis of Ovarian Carcinoma

Background It has been suggested that autophagy-related Beclin 1 plays a critical role in the regulation of tumor development and/or progression, but its prognostic significance and relationship with Bcl-xL expression in ovarian carcinoma are unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings In the present study, the methods of Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were utilized to investigate the expression status of Beclin 1 and Bcl-xL in fresh ovarian tissues and paraffin-embedded epithelial ovarian tumor tissues. Decreased expression of Beclin 1 was examined by IHC in 8.3% of normal ovaries, in 15.4% of cystadenomas, in 20.0% of borderline tumors, and in 55.6% of ovarian carcinomas, respectively. In ovarian carcinomas, decreased expression of Beclin 1 was correlated closely with ascending histological grade, later pT/pN/pM status and/or advanced clinical stage (P<0.05). In univariate survival analysis, a highly significant association between low-expressed Beclin 1 and shortened patient survival was evaluated in ovarian carcinoma patients (P<0.01), and Beclin 1 expression was an independent prognostic factor as evidenced by multivariate analysis (P = 0.013). In addition, decreased expression of Beclin 1 was inversely correlated with altered expression of Bcl-xL in ovarian carcinoma cohort, and combined analysis further showed that the low Beclin 1/high Bcl-xL group had the lowest survival rate. Conclusions/Significance Our findings suggest that Beclin 1 expression, as examined by IHC, could be served as an additional tool in identifying ovarian carcinoma patients at risk of tumor progression, and predicting patient survival in ovarian carcinomas with increased expression of Bcl-xL.
Chinese Attitudes toward African Migrants in Guangzhou, China

African migration to China has emerged as a significant sociological phenomenon only very recently. Africans in China are predominantly self-made entrepreneurs doing business face-to-face with Chinese entrepreneurs and living among local Chinese residents. Their encounters with the Chinese in local markets, residential neighborhoods, and on the streets offer a rare opportunity for exploring interracial dynamics beyond the Western black–white paradigm. In this article, we examine how Chinese perceive Africans vis-à-vis other foreigners and how contexts and conditions of Chinese–African encounters affect attitudes and racial formation. Our data suggest that the attitudes held by local Chinese residents in Guangzhou toward African migrants are ambivalent. The Chinese tend to perceive Africans negatively in general, but they also look upon Africans’ overall presence in a positive way and express openness to interacting with them. Our findings indicate that the mechanisms of social exclusion and inclusion are shaped by the intersection between the types and levels of contacts and the social contexts in which intergroup encounters occur. While there is a rising awareness of racial differences among local Chinese in Guangzhou, the process of race-making differs from that in other immigrant gateway cities of the Global North. Theoretical implications for racialization are discussed.
The emergence and development of orthographic awareness among foreign learners of Chinese as a second language

This study systemically explored the emergence and development of Chinese orthographic awareness among foreign learners of various Chinese proficiency levels by means of a paper-pencil-test in which different types of pseudo-characters and non-characters were used as stimuli. The subjects were asked to judge whether a stimulus was legal or not. The results show that the position awareness emerges and fully developes at the beginning level, while the awareness of the component does not develop until the intermediate level. Based on these results, we propose to pay more attention on the components of Chinese characters in teaching.
L’acquisition des clitiques nominatifs et des clitiques objets en français

Abstract This article presents and discusses data on nominative and object clitics used by twelve monolingual French-speaking children aged 2;0 to 2;7 years in a spontaneous interaction setting and in an elicited production task. It is shown that nominative clitics surpass object clitics, and that reflexive clitics fare better than accusative clitics. It is argued that these two dissociations are compatible with the computational complexity hypothesis put forth by Jakubowicz and Nash (to appear), applied to the analysis of third person Romance pronominal clitics proposed by Jakubowicz, Nash, Rigaut, and Gérard (1998).
Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics with Application to Gamma-Ray Burst Outflows. I. Theory and Semianalytic Trans-Alfvénic Solutions

We present a general formulation of special relativistic magnetohydrodynamics and derive exact radially self-similar solutions for axisymmetric outflows from strongly magnetized, rotating compact objects. We generalize previous work by including thermal effects and analyze in detail the various forces that guide, accelerate, and collimate the flow. We demonstrate that, under the assumptions of a quasi-steady poloidal magnetic field and of a highly relativistic poloidal velocity, the equations become effectively time independent and the motion can be described as a frozen pulse. We concentrate on trans-Alfvénic solutions and consider outflows that are super-Alfvénic throughout in the companion paper. Our results are applicable to relativistic jets in gamma-ray burst (GRB) sources, active galactic nuclei, and microquasars, but our discussion focuses on GRBs. We envision the outflows in this case to initially consist of a hot and optically thick mixture of baryons, electron-positron pairs, and photons. We show that the flow is at first accelerated thermally but that the bulk of the acceleration is magnetic, with the asymptotic Lorentz factor corresponding to a rough equipartition between the Poynting and kinetic energy fluxes (i.e., ~50% of the injected total energy is converted into baryonic kinetic energy). The electromagnetic forces also strongly collimate the flow, giving rise to an asymptotically cylindrical structure.
Logico-linguistic Semantic Representation of Documents

The knowledge behind the gigantic pool of data remains largely unextracted. Techniques such as ontology design, RDF representations, hpernym extraction, etc. have been used to represent the knowledge. However, the area of logic (FOPL) and linguistics (Semantics) has not been explored in depth for this purpose. Search engines suffer in extraction of specific answers to queries because of the absence of structured domain knowledge. The current paper deals with the design of formalism to extract and represent knowledge from the data in a consistent format. The application of logic and linguistics combined greatly eases and increases the precision of knowledge translation from natural language. The results clearly indicate the effectiveness of the knowledge extraction and representation methodology developed providing intelligence to machines for efficient analysis of data. The methodology helps machines to retrieve precise results in an efficient manner.
Onsager-Corrected Deep Networks for Sparse Linear Inverse Problems

Deep learning has gained great popularity due to its widespread success on many inference problems. We consider the application of deep learning to the sparse linear inverse pr oblem encountered in compressive sensing, where one seeks to reco ver a sparse signal from a few noisy linear measurements. In this p aper, we propose two novel neural-network architectures that dec ouple prediction errors across layers in the same way that the appr oximate message passing (AMP) algorithms decouple them across iterations: through Onsager correction. We show numericallythat our “learned AMP” network significantly improves upon Grego r and LeCun’s “learned ISTA” when both use soft-thresholding shrinkage. We then show that additional improvements resul t from jointly learning the shrinkage functions together with the linear transforms. Finally, we propose a network design ins pired by an unfolding of the recently proposed “vector AMP” (VAMP) algorithm, and show that it outperforms all previously considered networks. Interestingly, the linear transforms and shrinkage functions prescribed by VAMP coincide with the values learned through backpropagation, yielding an intuitive explanation for the design of this deep network.