Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Hybrid HMM-SVM Method for Online Handwriting Symbol Recognition

This paper presents a combined approach for online handwriting symbols recognition. The basic idea of this approach is to employ a set of left-right HMMs as a feature extractor to produce HMM features, and combine them with global features into a new feature vector as input, and then use SVM as a classifier to finally identify unknown symbols. The new feature vector consists of the global features and several pairs of maximum probabilities with their associated different model labels. A recogniser based on this method inherits the practical and dynamical modeling abilities from HMM, and robust discriminating ability from SVM for classification tasks. This technique also reduces the dimensions of feature vectors significantly and solves the speed and size problem when using only SVM. The experimental results show that this combined hybrid approach outperforms several classifiers reported in recent researches, and could achieve recognition rates of 97.48%, 91.99% and 91.74% for digits and upper/lower case characters respectively on the UNIPEN database benchmarks
Variable VHE gamma-ray emission from non-blazar AGNs

Context. The observation of rapidly variable very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays from non-aligned active galactic nuclei (AGNs), as reported from M 87, proves challenging for conventional theoretical acceleration and emission models. Aims. Motivated by recent work on pulsar-type particle acceleration in M 87 (Neronov & Aharonian 2007, ApJ, 671, 85), we reexamine the centrifugal acceleration of particles by rotating jet magnetospheres in the vicinity of accreting supermassive black hole systems and analyze the energy constraints imposed for highly underluminous systems. Methods. The maximum Lorentz factor for centrifugally accelerated electrons in the presence of inverse Compton losses, and the associated characteristic variability time scale, are determined. Applications are presented for conditions expected to be present in the radio galaxy M 87, assuming accretion onto the central black hole to occur in an advection-dominated (ADAF) mode. Results. We show that for a highly underluminous source like M 87, centrifugally accelerated electrons may reach Lorentz factors up to γ ∼ (10 7 −10 8 ), allowing inverse Compton (Thomson) upscattering of sub-mm disk photons to the TeV regime. Upscattering of Comptonized disk photons results in a flat TeV spectrum Lν ∝ ν −αc with spectral index αc � 1.2. The characteristic variability time scale is of the order rL/c, which in the case of M 87 corresponds to � 1.7 d for a typical light cylinder radius of rL � 5rs. Conclusions. Centrifugal acceleration could provide a natural explanation for the challenging VHE emission features in M 87. Our results suggest that some advection-dominated accreting (non-blazar) AGNs could well be observable VHE emitting sources.
Differences in Subprime Loan Pricing Across Races and Neighborhoods

We investigate whether race and ethnicity influenced subprime loan pricing during 2005, the peak of the subprime mortgage expansion. We combine loan-level data on the performance of non-prime securitized mortgages with individual- and neighborhood-level data on racial and ethnic characteristics for metropolitan areas in California and Florida. Using a model of rate determination that accounts for predicted loan performance, we evaluate the differences in subprime mortgage rates in terms of racial and ethnic groups and neighborhood characteristics. We find evidence of adverse pricing for Blacks and Hispanics. The evidence of adverse pricing is strongest for purchase mortgages and mortgages originated by non-depository institutions.
IGF-I and IGF-binding protein-1 are related to cortisol in human cord blood.

OBJECTIVE To assess cortisol concentrations in cord blood and investigate their relationships with the IGF system. STUDY DESIGN Fifteen newborns with birth weight appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and 30 children with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) were studied. Serum samples were collected from umbilical cord blood and cortisol, IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs)-1 and -3 were measured. IUGR infants were followed up for 3 months with repeated measurements of weight, supine length and knee-heel length (by knemometry). RESULTS IUGR newborns showed significantly greater concentrations of IGFBP-1 (P<0.0001) and lower concentrations of IGF-I (P< 0.0001) and IGFBP-3 (P< 0.0001) than did controls. In AGA children, cortisol correlated inversely with IGF-I (r=-0.75, P< 0.002) and directly with IGFBP-1 (r=0.52, P <0.05), whereas no correlation between cortisol and IGF system-related variables was observed in IUGR. Finally, in IUGR children an inverse correlation was found between length gain in the first trimester of life and cortisol concentrations at birth (r=-0.54, P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Cortisol might be a physiological regulator of fetal growth, at least in the last part of pregnancy, by modulating IGF-I and IGFBP-1 release under conditions of fetal stress. In IUGR children, a rearrangement of this growth control mechanism seems to occur. The close inverse relationship of cortisol with linear growth, if confirmed by large-scale studies, suggests cord blood cortisol to be potentially predictive of early postnatal catch-up growth in IUGR infants.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cyanide accumulation and lung function in CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients

In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most important respiratory pathogen. It is able to synthesise hydrogen cyanide, a potent inhibitor of cellular respiration. The present study investigated whether cyanide is present in the sputum of CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients infected with P. aeruginosa, and whether the detection of cyanide affected lung function. Cyanide was measured in sputum using a cyanide ion selective electrode. Cyanide was detected in sputum from 15 out of 25 CF and non-CF bronchiectasis patients with current P. aeruginosa infection; however, it was not detected in any of the 10 patients without this organism. Maximum levels were 130 µM (mean±se 72±6.6 µM). Concurrent lung function data were available on all 21 P. aeruginosa-infected CF patients; the group with measurable sputum cyanide (n = 11) was not different from those without (n = 10) on the basis of age or sex. However, those with detectable cyanide had significantly poorer lung function than those without (forced expiratory volume in one second (% predicted) 26.8±3.8 versus 46.0±6.7%; forced vital capacity (% pred) 44.4±4.9 versus 60.1±7.7%). Cyanide is detectable in sputum from cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and is also associated with impaired lung function.
Determinants of Information System Success in Public Sector Organizations : With Special Reference to Organizations Located in the Matara District of Sri Lanka

Public sector organizations in Sri Lanka have started implementation of ICT based solutions rapidly along with the recent e-government initiatives. Despite the increase in the number of beneficiaries of such systems, their success and productivity remain unsatisfactory and has been subjected to severe criticism. However, due to lack of literature, the reasons behind the poor performance of Information Systems are largely unknown particularly in the context of public sector organizations in Sri Lanka. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of system quality, user quality and service quality on the Information system success based on the data collected during 2013 on 32 public sector organizations located in Matara District through a questionnaire survey supplemented by interviews. The findings suggest that, issues associated with the system quality, service quality and lack of a clear and centrally planned mechanism for implementing information systems have seriously diluted the potential benefits associated with information system success. These findings emphasize the necessity of focusing on a central ICT policy and implementation of consistent and interoperable solutions rather than ad hoc locally developed solutions for improving the information system success at public sector organizations. Provision of necessary infrastructure, support services and qualified staff are also essential in ensuring the successful implementation of information systems in the public sector.
Robust Stochastic Discount Factors

When the market is incomplete, a new non-redundant derivative security cannot be priced by no-arbitrage arguments alone. Moreover, there will be a multiplicity of stochastic discount factors and each of them may give a different price for the new derivative security. This paper develops an approach to the selection of a stochastic discount factor for pricing a new derivative security. The approach is based on the idea that the price of a derivative security should not vary too much when the payoff of the primitive security is slightly perturbed, i.e., the price of the derivative should be robust to model misspecification. The paper develops two metrics of robustness. The first is based on robustness in expectation. The second is based on robustness in probability and draws on tools from the theory of large deviations. We show that in a stochastic volatility model, the two metrics yield analytically tractable bounds for the derivative price, as the underlying stochastic volatility model is perturbed. The bounds can be readily used for numerical examination of the sensitivity of the price of the derivative to model misspecification. The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Divergent Adaptive Strategies by Two Co-occurring Epiphytic Orchids to Water Stress: Escape or Avoidance?

Due to the fluctuating water availability in the arboreal habitat, epiphytic plants are considered vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances. Although co-occurring taxa have been observed divergent adaptive performances in response to drought, the underlying physiological and morphological mechanisms by which epiphyte species cope with water stress remain poorly understood. In the present study, two co-occurring epiphytic orchids with different phenologies were selected to investigate their drought-resistance performances. We compared their functional traits, and monitored their physiological performances in a 25-days of drought treatment. In contrast to the deciduous species Pleione albiflora, the evergreen species Coelogyne corymbosa had different root anatomical structures and higher values for saturated water content of pseudobulbs. Moreover, plants of C. corymbosa had thicker leaves and epidermis, denser veins and stomata, and higher values for leaf mass per unit area and the time required to dry saturated leaves to 70% relative water content. However, samples from that species had lower values for net photosynthetic rate (An), stomatal length and chlorophyll content per unit dry mass. Nevertheless, due to greater capacity for water storage and conservation, C. corymbosa maintained higher An, stomatal conductance (gs), and instantaneous water-use efficiency during severe drought period, and their values for leaf water potential were higher after the water stress treatment. By Day 10 after irrigation was restarted, only C. corymbosa plants recovered their values for An and gs to levels close to those calculated prior to the imposition of water stress. Our results suggest that the different performance responding to drought and re-watering in two co-occurring epiphytic orchids is related to water-related traits and these two species have divergent adaptive mechanisms. Overall, C. corymbosa demonstrates drought avoidance by enhancing water uptake and storage, and by reducing water losses while P. albiflora employs a drought escape strategy by fixing more carbon during growing season and shedding leaves and roots at dry season, leaving a dormant pseudobulb to minimize transpiration. These findings may improve our understanding of the potential effects that climate change can have on the population dynamics of different epiphytic taxa.
THE PROTEIN CONCENTRATION IN THE PROXIMAL TUBULE OF THE DOG.

The mammalian proximal tubular fluid is generally considered to contain a low but definite protein concentration (1-3). The degree of glomerular capillary membrane permeability has been considered to range from that of a perfect ultrafilter to one yielding a protein concentration of 30 mg per 100 ml or more in the immediate filtrate. The most obvious evidence that protein is present in the glomerular filtrate is the presence of plasma proteins in the urine of normal man, dog, and rat. Estimates of the albumin in normal human urine, based upon a number of different methods, range from 15 to 31 mg per 24 hours (4-8). This amount of albumin could easily be accounted for by a concentration less than 1 mg per 100 ml in the glomerular filtrate provided none was absorbed. The only direct estimate of protein in the mammalian nephron is to be found in the micropuncture studies of Walker, Bott, Oliver, and MacDowell (9). The protein concentration in 41 samples of glomerular and proximal tubular fluid from the guinea pig and the rat was found to range from less than 30 mg per 100 ml to less than 200 mg per 100 ml. Earlier, Wearn and Richards (10) had found no protein in 11 frog glomerular samples and concluded that the glomerular filtrate was protein free. The recent adaptation of micropuncture technique to the dog nephron by Clapp, Watson, and Berliner (11) made possible a direct estimation of protein concentration in the dog proximal tubule with a more sensitive method for the detection and identification of protein. The results indicate that the concentration of protein is approximately an order of magnitude lower than
Credit Risk in the Euro Area

We construct credit risk indicators for euro area banks and non-financial corporations. These are the average spreads on the yield of euro area private sector bonds relative to the yield on German federal government securities of matched maturities. The indicators are also constructed at the country level for Germany, France, Italy and Spain. These indicators reveal that the financial crisis of 2008 has dramatically increased the cost of market funding for both banks and non-financial firms. In contrast, the prior recession following the 2000 U.S. dot-com bust led to widening credit spreads of non-financial firms but had no effect on the credit spreads of financial firms. The 2008 financial crisis also led to a systematic divergence in credit spreads for financial firms across national boundaries. This divergence in cross-country credit risk increased further as the European debt crisis has unfolded since 2010. Since that time, credit spreads for both non-financial and financial firms increasingly reflect national rather than euro area financial conditions. Consistent with this view, credit spreads provide substantial predictive content for a variety of real activity and lending measures for the euro area as a whole and for individual countries. VAR analysis implies that disruptions in corporate credit markets lead to sizeable contractions in output, increases in unemployment, and declines in inflation across the euro area.
Regulation of cortical and subcortical glutamate receptor subunit expression by antipsychotic drugs

Because glutamate is an important modulator of subcortical dopamine (DA) function, and abnormal glutamate/DA interactions may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, we examined the effect of chronically administered antipsychotic drugs (APDs) on the levels of specific glutamate receptor subunits in the terminal fields of nigrostriatal and mesocorticolimbic DA systems. By immunoblotting procedures using antibodies specific for the NMDAR1, GluR1, and GluR2 subunits, we found that haloperidol (predominantly a D2-like antagonist) increased NMDAR1 subunit immunoreactivity (and mRNA levels) in the striatum, while the D1-like antagonist SCH 23390 had the opposite effect. No effect was seen on GluR1 or GluR2 levels. The result that D1-like and D2-like receptor antagonism can reciprocally regulate NMDAR1 expression is consistent with our observation that complete unilateral destruction of the nigrostriatal DA pathway with 6- hydroxy-dopamine had no effect on striatal NMDAR1 subunit levels. Further examination of these striatal effects revealed that chronic treatment with the D2-like receptor antagonist raclopride significantly increased NMDAR1 levels in the striatum, while the 5-HT2a/2c antagonist mianserin tended to produce an increase that did not achieve statistical significance. These findings indicate that the dopaminergic antagonist properties of haloperidol are likely most responsible for its regulation of this subunit. In contrast, the atypical APD clozapine had no effect on striatal NMDAR1 levels, consistent with the relatively weaker influence of this drug on nigrostriatal DA function. The second major finding of the present study was the ability of haloperidol and clozapine to increase GluR1 levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (PFC), whereas chronic SCH 23390 treatment decreased GluR1 levels.
Boys, Transitions, and Physical (In)activity: Exploring the Socio-Behavioural Mediators of Participation

Purpose: To explore the socio-behavioural mechanisms that motivate or dissuade boys' participation in physical activity (PA) as they transition into adolescence and their implications for physical therapy. Methods: This critical qualitative study involved in-depth interviews using active interviewing techniques with 15 adolescent boys. Data generation and analysis were driven by techniques of grounded theory and Bourdieu's sociology of practice. Results: The analysis identified intersectional relationships among emotions, the inherent pleasures of movement, and a sense of connectedness to PA, each of which acted as a mediating mechanism in motivating participation in PA. Analogously, body dissatisfaction, negative self-perceptions, and repeated instances of explicit and symbolic bullying intersected to dissuade boys from participating and created apathy toward PA. Conclusion: Identifying socio-behavioural mechanisms that motivate or dissuade physically active behaviour contributes new knowledge toward understanding PA attrition among boys transitioning to adolescence. As health advocates and movement experts, physiotherapists have an important role in helping adolescents of all abilities to participate in activities that provide them with meaning, inclusivity, and a sense of connectedness to PA.
TECHNOLOGY PROSPECT AND THE CROSS-SECTION OF STOCK RETURNS: EVIDENCE FROM THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET

We examine the link between technology prospect and stock returns in the Australian market. Our results suggest that the technology-based asset pricing model outperforms the CAPM and FamaFrench three-factor models in explaining the cross-section of the Australian Fama-French 25 size/book-to-market portfolios. The results prove robust to using alternative estimation methods and continue to supports the importance of the technology factor for shaping the cross section of the FamaFrench portfolios returns****.
A New Approach for Symbolic-Numeric Optimization in Biological Kinetic Models

PCT No. PCT/JP98/04508 Sec. 371 Date May 24, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date May 24, 1999 PCT Filed Oct. 6, 1998 PCT Pub. No. WO99/19524 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 22, 1999A process for producing a sintered powder metal body is disclosed. A powdery mixture is prepared by blending a graphite powder in amount of not less than 0.3% by weight with an iron based metal powder. The powdery mixture is compacted into a preform having a density of not less than 7.3 g/cm3. The preform is sintered at a temperature of 800-1000 DEG C. to form the sintered powder metal body having a predetermined structure. The predetermined structure of the sintered powder metal body includes iron based metal particles and graphite particles retained between the iron based metal particles.
Vitamin B12-Impaired Metabolism Produces Apoptosis and Parkinson Phenotype in Rats Expressing the Transcobalamin-Oleosin Chimera in Substantia Nigra

Background Vitamin B12 is indispensable for proper brain functioning and cytosolic synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine. Whether its deficiency produces effects on viability and apoptosis of neurons remains unknown. There is a particular interest in investigating these effects in Parkinson disease where Levodopa treatment is known to increase the consumption of S-adenosylmethionine. To cause deprivation of vitamin B12, we have recently developed a cell model that produces decreased synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine by anchoring transcobalamin (TCII) to the reticulum through its fusion with Oleosin (OLEO). Methodology Gene constructs including transcobalamin-oleosin (TCII-OLEO) and control constructs, green fluorescent protein-transcobalamin-oleosin (GFP-TCII-OLEO), oleosin-transcobalamin (OLEO-TCII), TCII and OLEO were used for expression in N1E-115 cells (mouse neuroblastoma) and in substantia nigra of adult rats, using a targeted transfection with a Neurotensin polyplex system. We studied the viability and the apoptosis in the transfected cells and targeted tissue. The turning behavior was evaluated in the rats transfected with the different plasmids. Principal Findings The transfection of N1E-115 cells by the TCII-OLEO-expressing plasmid significantly affected cell viability and increased immunoreactivity of cleaved Caspase-3. No change in propidium iodide uptake (used as a necrosis marker) was observed. The transfected rats lost neurons immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase. The expression of TCII-OLEO was observed in cells immunoreactive to tyrosine hydroxylase of the substantia nigra, with a superimposed expression of cleaved Caspase-3. These cellular and tissular effects were not observed with the control plasmids. Rats transfected with TCII-OLEO expressing plasmid presented with a significantly higher number of turns, compared with those transfected with the other plasmids. Conclusions/Significance In conclusion, the TCII-OLEO transfection was responsible for apoptosis in N1E-115 cells and rat substantia nigra and for Parkinson-like phenotype. This suggests evaluating whether vitamin B12 deficit could aggravate the PD in patients under Levodopa therapy by impairing S-adenosylmethionine synthesis in substantia nigra.
HSV Color Space and Face Detection Based Objectionable Image Detecting

Internet access has dramatically increased the risk of receiving objectionable information such as the pornographic images. Content based Image detection is of the paramount importance in objectionable images filtering in Internet. This paper designed a simplified system by using the HSV color space converted by the law of gravity center and combining the face detection to define and evaluate the degree of the the benign image in general.