Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stability in the ISE: Betas for Stocks and Portfolios

In this paper we examine the characteristics and stability of individual stock and portfolio betas of stocks listed in the Istanbul Stock Exchange (ISE) using samples of 500 individual stocks and 500 portfolios of 10 stocks each. We begin with a methodology similar to the basic event study methodology and collect data for the samples around 500 randomly chosen “event dates”. Using these samples we first estimate betas and changes in betas using the Market Model and OLS on logreturns. Second, we aggregate our findings concerning changes in betas by using a binomial test. Even though we find evidence supporting significant relationships between market returns and both individual stock and portfolio returns, the evidence does not seem to support that these relationships are stable. Furthermore, we do not find evidence showing that portfolio betas are more stable than individual betas.
Energy Efficient Clustering Scheme for Prolonging the Lifetime of Wireless Sensor Network With Isolated Nodes

A suitable clustering algorithm for grouping sensor nodes can increase the energy efficiency of WSNs. However, clustering requires additional overhead, such as cluster head selection and assignment, and cluster construction. This paper proposes a new regional energy aware clustering method using isolated nodes for WSNs, called Regional Energy Aware Clustering with Isolated Nodes (REAC-IN). In REAC-IN, CHs are selected based on weight. Weight is determined according to the residual energy of each sensor and the regional average energy of all sensors in each cluster. Improperly designed distributed clustering algorithms can cause nodes to become isolated from CHs. Such isolated nodes communicate with the sink by consuming excess amount of energy. To prolong network lifetime, the regional average energy and the distance between sensors and the sink are used to determine whether the isolated node sends its data to a CH node in the previous round or to the sink. The simulation results of the current study revealed that REAC-IN outperforms other clustering algorithms.
Therapeutic synergy between microRNA and siRNA in ovarian cancer treatment.

UNLABELLED Development of improved RNA interference-based strategies is of utmost clinical importance. Although siRNA-mediated silencing of EphA2, an ovarian cancer oncogene, results in reduction of tumor growth, we present evidence that additional inhibition of EphA2 by a microRNA (miRNA) further "boosts" its antitumor effects. We identified miR-520d-3p as a tumor suppressor upstream of EphA2, whose expression correlated with favorable outcomes in two independent patient cohorts comprising 647 patients. Restoration of miR-520d-3p prominently decreased EphA2 protein levels, and suppressed tumor growth and migration/invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Dual inhibition of EphA2 in vivo using 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) nanoliposomes loaded with miR-520d-3p and EphA2 siRNA showed synergistic antitumor efficiency and greater therapeutic efficacy than either monotherapy alone. This synergy is at least in part due to miR-520d-3p targeting EphB2, another Eph receptor. Our data emphasize the feasibility of combined miRNA-siRNA therapy, and will have broad implications for innovative gene silencing therapies for cancer and other diseases. SIGNIFICANCE This study addresses a new concept of RNA inhibition therapy by combining miRNA and siRNA in nanoliposomal particles to target oncogenic pathways altered in ovarian cancer. Combined targeting of the Eph pathway using EphA2-targeting siRNA and the tumor suppressor miR-520d-3p exhibits remarkable therapeutic synergy and enhanced tumor suppression in vitro and in vivo compared with either monotherapy alone.
Energy consumption forecasting using a bi-objective fuzzy linear regression model

In this paper, a new bi-objective fuzzy linear regression model is proposed in order to fill the gap in the field of forecasting using possibilistic programming. Additionally, the proposed model is compared with three promising fuzzy linear regression models from literature in order to forecast the energy consumption in USA, Japan, Canada, and Australia during 2010 to 2015. In the fuzzy regression models, independent variables are population, cost of crude oil, gross domestic production (per capita), and annual energy production where dependent variable is energy consumption. In order to train the models and estimate their parameters, historical data from 1990 to 2005 are used for each country. Then, the models performance in energy consumption forecasting is tested using actual data from 2006 to 2009. Based on results of mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), the proposed model outperforms other models. Finally, the energy consumption in USA, Japan, Canada, and Australia is forecasted for 2010 to 2015 using the proposed model. The results show that the proposed model provides accurate solution for energy consumption problem.
Growth hormone and physiological responses to clonidine in depression

Synopsis Clonidine (1·3 μg/kg) was administered to 62 control and 55 depressed patients free of psychoactive drugs for at least 7 days and fasted overnight. Growth hormone (GH), pulse, blood pressure and sedation were measured every 15 min for 1 h before and 2 h after clonidine infusion. GH response did not differ significantly between control and depressed subjects overall or when divided by sex. The systolic hypotensive and sedative responses were blunted in depressed subjects compared with controls; these effects appeared to be secondary to residual antidepressant drugs since the differences were only significant for those depressed subjects with short drug-free intervals. No differences between depressed subjects and controls were seen in diastolic hypotensive or bradycardic responses and no differences in GH, cardiovascular or sedative responses were found between endogenous and non-endogenous depressed subjects.
Bayesian Model Averaging in Modelling GDP Convergence with the Use of Panel Data

In this paper, β convergence analysis for the 27 EU member countries and the 1993-2010 period is conducted. The analysis uses an Bayesian model averaging (BMA) approach applied to Blundell and Bond’s GMM system estimator with the existence of structural breaks. In order to account for the differences in the steady-states of the countries, 22 variables are tested as potential economic growth determinants. The structural breaks are expected to be in 1998 and 2004. The main finding is that the EU27 countries converged at the rate of about 5% per annum which is an enormous difference as compared with the widely cited 2% speed of convergence and the mechanism of conditional convergence was rather constant over time yet the influence of particular growth factors on GDP proved not to be stable anymore.
Should My Spouse Be My Partner? Preliminary Evidence From the Panel Study of Income Dynamics

This study examines how firm performance and family income are affected when an “owner-managed” firm transitions to a “copreneurial” business. Data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics were used to track changes in firm performance and family income from 1996 to 2006 during which time an owner-manager decided to partner with his spouse. The findings suggest that (a) involvement of one’s spouse in the business had no significant impact on firm profits and (b) working with one’s spouse had a significant impact on family income. The authors hypothesize that the lack of spousal influence on firm performance is because of their inability to influence their spouses, their lack of education and skills needed by the firm, and organizational “imprinting. ” Moreover, since it is hypothesized that many spouses work for little or no pay, there would not be a significant impact on family income as the result of one’s partnering with a spouse. However, this hypothesis was not confirmed.
Two Distinct Novel Splice Site Mutations in a Compound Heterozygous Patient with Protein S Deficiency

Summary Genetic analysis revealed two distinct novel splice site mutations in a compound heterozygous patient with protein S deficiency. The paternal mutation was a G-to-T transition at position -1 of the acceptor splice site of intron N (Mutation I), and the maternal mutation was a G-to-C transversion at position -1 of the donor splice site of intron C (Mutation II). Both splice site mutations decreased the mutated mRNA accumulation to the same extent, approximately 40% of the normal mRNA. However, the mutations were associated with different phenotypical expressions: the paternal mutant protein S was not detected in vivo, while the maternal mutant protein S was present in the plasma in reduced quantity. Because Mutation I caused a cryptic splicing in the mutated mRNA, resulting in a reading frameshift and premature termination, the predicted mutant protein S might be highly unstable. In contrast, Mutation II led to the substitution of Val46 by Leu, which might be much less deleterious for the synthesis, secretion and stability of the predicted mutant protein S. It was supposed that the different post-translational metabolisms produced the distinct phenotypical expressions of the mutations.
Prediction equations for human thoracic and lumbar vertebral morphometry

Statistical correlations between anatomical dimensions of human vertebral structures have indicated a potential for the prediction of vertebral morphometry, which could be applied to the creation of simplified geometrical models of the spine excluding the need for preliminary processing of medical images. The aim of this study was to perform linear and nonlinear regressions with published anatomical data to generate prediction equations for 20 vertebral parameters of the human thoracic and lumbar spine as a function of only one given parameter that was measured by X‐ray. Each parameter was considered individually as a potential predictor variable in terms of its correlation with all of the other parameters, together with the readiness with which lateral X‐rays could be obtained. Based on this, the parameter vertebral body height posterior was chosen and the statistical analyses described here are related to this parameter. Our linear, exponential and logarithmic regressions provided significant predictions of anterior vertebral structures. However, third‐order polynomial prediction equations allowed an improvement on these predictions (P‐values < 0.001), e.g. endplates and spinal canal (R2, 0.970–0.995) as well as pedicle heights and the spinous process (R2, 0.811–0.882), in addition to a reasonable prediction of the posterior vertebral structures, which have shown a low or no correlation in previous studies, e.g. pedicle inclination and transverse process (R2, 0.514–0.693) (anova). Comparisons of the theoretical predictions with two other sets of experimental data indicated that the predictions generally agree well with the experimental data. A time‐efficient approach for obtaining anatomical data for the description of human thoracic and lumbar geometry was provided by this method, which requires the measurement of only one parameter per vertebra (vertebral body height posterior) from a lateral X‐ray and the set of developed prediction equations. Vertebral models based on this type of parameterized geometry could be used in biomechanical studies that require geometry variation, such as in spinal deformations, including scoliosis.
The Two‐Way Relationship between Government Spending and Corruption and its Effects on Economic Growth

type="main" xml:lang="en"> The existing empirical evidence suggests that in low-income economies, an increase in government spending leads to a reduction of growth. This article aims to explain this empirical fact by considering a growth model that incorporates a two-way relationship between corruption and government spending. That is, government spending gives rise to corruption and rent seeking, which feeds back by distorting the structure and size of government spending. In addition, the cost of corruption depends on the wage rate. Therefore, in low-income economies, increases in government spending tend to generate larger social losses caused by a higher level of rent dissipation and a concomitant rise in corruption and government inefficiency. Consequently, in such economies, an increase in government spending is more likely to result in a decline of economic growth. (JEL H3, O11, O41)
Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in SAARC Countries: An Investigation Using Panel VAR Model

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is considered to be a policy variable to enhance economic growth in the economy. So identifying the determinants of FDI is very challenging among the policymakers. The paper examines the determinants of foreign direct investment in seven SAARC countries over the period 1980-2010. Using panel VAR model, the paper finds that foreign direct investment are largely influenced by economic growth, exchange rate, inflation, labor population, trade balance, current account balance and long term debt outstanding. The impact of economic growth and exchange rate are bidirectional, while the other factors are unidirectional on FDI inflows.
Presbycusis among older Chinese people in Taipei, Taiwan: A community-based study

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and severity of presbycusis in older Chinese people in Taipei, Taiwan. Pure-tone audiometry and a questionnaire were administered to a randomly-recruited cohort of people > 65 years old (n=1221) from a community in Taipei. The study cohort showed pure-tone thresholds worsening, especially at frequencies >2 kHz, with increasing age. The mean pure-tone average at speech frequencies (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz) of the better ear of subjects stratified by five-year age groups ranged from 34.9 dB hearing level (HL) to 46.4 dB HL. The pure-tone average at speech frequency in women was slightly higher than that in men in all age groups. The prevalence of presbycusis (M3 ≥ 55 dBHL) was 1.6% (65–69 years), 3.2% (70–74 years), 7.5% (75–79 years), and 14.9% (≥80 years). Persistent tinnitus was present in 13.9% of subjects, and 18.8% of subjects had a history of vertigo. Of subjects with a clinically evident hearing impairment (M3 ≥ 55 dB HL), 18.4% used hearing aids. These data provide estimates of the prevalence and severity of presbycusis in community-dwelling older persons in Taiwan.
Bcl‐2 regulates chondrocyte morphology and aggrecan gene expression independent of caspase activation and full apoptosis

Bcl‐2 is widely expressed in a variety of cell types and is known to block apoptosis through a conserved pathway. However, recent reports have demonstrated that Bcl‐2 regulates cell behavior independent of its control of apoptosis. Chondrocytes express a unique set of matrix proteins, including the proteoglycan aggrecan, and have been widely used to study the relationship between trophic factors and apoptosis. In this article, we report that Bcl‐2 affects the morphology and regulates the expression of aggrecan in a rat chondrocyte cell line (IRC). Endogenous Bcl‐2 and aggrecan mRNA were both down‐regulated in response to serum withdrawal in parental IRC cells, while constitutive expression of Bcl‐2 maintained aggrecan levels under conditions of serum withdrawal. In addition, expression of anti‐sense Bcl‐2 resulted in decreased aggrecan mRNA and produced a fibroblastic morphology compared with parental cells. The caspase inhibitor ZVAD‐fmk effectively blocked full apoptosis of IRC cells in response to serum withdrawal or anti‐sense Bcl‐2 but did not prevent the down‐regulation of aggrecan expression from either signal. These results suggest a novel role for Bcl‐2 in regulating the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes and the expression of a differentiation‐specific gene independent of its control of apoptosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 74:576–586, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Economic Impact of Taxes On Financial Characteristics of the Natural Resources Industry

The objective of this article is to investigate the effects of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (TRA86) on financial characteristics of firms in the natural resources industry. Financial characteristics of the post-TRA86 period are compared with financial characteristics in the pre-TRA86 period in a multivariate analysis of covariance approach. The financial characteristics examined are the mode of asset acquisition and the method of external financing. The evidence suggests that tax law changes under TRA86 led to an increase in the proportion of operating assets acquired by lease rather than by purchase. The results failed to confirm the hypothesized effect of tax law changes on the mix of debt and equity in the capital structure. Marginal support is provided for the joint effect of the TRA86 changes and the firm's state of tax exhaustion. The results have tax policy implications regarding the influence of the alternative minimum tax and the tax wedge between debt and equity on business decisions.
State Autonomy in Germany and the United States

Both the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany have mechanisms by which their component jurisdictions—states or Länder—can either implement federal law or resist such implementation. The authors describe the different constitutional mechanisms by which the two federal regimes induce state cooperation and protect state autonomy. They then offer some speculations as to how such constitutional rules might affect cooperative federalism in the two nations, arguing that the German system provides more categorical and therefore more secure protection of the Länder, whereas the U.S. system provides for a more flexible system of cooperative federalism. This flexibility of the U.S. system, the authors suggest, allows for vertical competition between the federal government and the states, which may provide a valuable tool to combat inefficiency in policy implementation.
Treatment of atopic dermatitis with the xenon chloride excimer laser

Background Narrow‐band ultraviolet B phototherapy is an effictive and safe treatment for atopic dermatitis. We have previously found that the 308 nm xenon chloride excimer laser was more effective than the narrow‐band ultraviolet B light for the treatment of psoriasis, suggesting that ultraviolet B laser might offer advantages over narrow‐band ultraviolet B.
Suramin attenuates dystrophin‐deficient cardiomyopathy in the mdx mouse model of duchenne muscular dystrophy

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of suramin, an antifibrotic agent, on cardiac function and remodeling in mdx mice. Methods: mdx mice (8 months old) received intraperitoneal injections of suramin twice a week for 3 months. Control mdx mice (8 months old) were injected with saline. Results: Suramin improved the electrocardiography profile with the main corrections seen in S‐ to R‐wave ratio, PR interval, and Q amplitude, and a significant decrease in the cardiomyopathy index. Suramin decreased myocardial fibrosis, inflammation, and myonecrosis. Conclusions: These findings suggest that suramin may be a new adjunctive therapy to help improve cardiomyopathy in DMD. Muscle Nerve 48: 911–919, 2013
Manufacturing strategy: Literature review and some issues

Manufacturing strategy has attracted serious research attention in the recent past. In this paper, an attempt is made to review the status of literature in manufacturing strategy. A literature classification scheme is suggested. A total of 260 articles from 31 referred journals and international conferences are classified into content (manufacturing capabilities, strategic choices, best practices, trans‐national comparison, literature survey, and performance measurement) and process‐related issues. We have categorized the methodology used in the literature into conceptual, descriptive, empirical, exploratory cross‐sectional and exploratory longitudinal approaches. Based on this, some possible research issues are also identified, viz., resource‐based operations strategy, sector specific manufacturing strategy, relevance of manufacturing strategy to small and medium enterprises, manufacturing strategy in the context of green manufacturing, effect of organizational culture on formulation of manufacturing strategy, and performance measurement.
Local Sourcing and Technology Spillovers to Mexican Suppliers: How Important are FDI and Supplier Characteristics?

I present novel direct evidence on the static and dynamic impact of producer firms on local suppliers based on several firm level surveys that I conducted among producer firms and suppliers in Nuevo Leon, Mexico. I find that the level of use of suppliers does not differ between foreign direct investment (FDI) and Mexican producer firms. Next, I find substantial evidence that FDI firms generate a larger local dynamic impact; foreign-owned firms apply more pressure on their suppliers to improve and are also significantly more involved in the provision of several types of technological and organisational support. In extension of these findings, I use multivariate analysis to identify characteristics of suppliers and supply linkages that influence the dynamic impact among suppliers. I find that the level of absorptive capacity of suppliers, the size of the technology gap between producer firms and suppliers, and the provision of support by producer firms all enhance the likelihood that suppliers experience a large positive dynamic impact. Importantly, even when I control for the effects of these factors, suppliers of FDI firms are still significantly more likely to experience a large positive impact. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessment of the Heat Generation at the Marginal Bone Area during the Implant Insertion Using Infrared Thermography (Experimental study)

: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the parameters of the implant micro-and macro design on the heat generation at the marginal bone area during the implant insertion using thermal camera. 200 test specimens of implants of different designs and dimensions were inserted into 200 artificial bone blocks and 200 test specimens were placed into 40 fresh pig ribs. It was established that the implant length influenced the heat generation more than the implant diameter and that the tapered design causes less temperature increase compared to the cylindrical design. We concluded that the heat generation during the implant insertion could be decreased be using shorter implants with smaller diameter and conical shape.
Interpretation of alpha-fetoprotein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid of infants

Background: There are no published reference intervals for concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normal infants. The presence of abnormal concentrations of AFP in plasma or CSF may indicate the presence of a teratoma or a germ cell tumour with yolk sac elements. We measured CSF AFP in infants who did not have malignancy in order to determine its reference intervals. Methods: AFP was measured in the CSF and/or plasma in 128 infants. Of these, 91 infants had CSF AFP measurements, 94 infants had plasma AFP measurements and in 60 infants AFP concentrations were determined in paired CSF and plasma samples. The patients ranged in age from 1 to 110 days. Both CSF and plasma AFP concentrations were measured by a microparticle enzyme immunoassay using an AxSYM analyser. Results: Using ages corrected for prematurity, the median CSF AFP concentration for babies -69 to 31 days old was 61 kIU/L (5th-95th centile: 2-889 kIU/L), while the median CSF AFP concentration for infants 32 to 110 days was 1.2 kIU/L (5th-95th centile: 0.1-12.5 kIU/L). By age 6 weeks, the concentrations were close to those found in adult plasma and all CSF AFP concentrations from infants with a corrected age over 2 months were <3 kIU/L. Conclusion: We have defined reference intervals for CSF AFP concentrations in infants. These results may assist in the diagnosis of CNS tumours, particularly congenital CNS tumours containing yolk sac elements.