Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Notes on Financial System Development and Political Intervention

The paper studies the impact of political intervention on a financial system that consists of banks and financial markets and develops over time. In this financial system, banks and markets exhibit three forms of interaction: they compete, they complement each other, and they co-evolve. Coevolution is generated by two new ingredients of financial system architecture relative to the existing theories: securitization and risk-sensitive bank capital. The authors show that securitization propagates banking advances to the financial market, permitting market evolution to be driven by bank evolution, and market advances are transmitted to banks through bank capital. Then they examine how politicians determine the nature of political intervention designed to expand credit availability. The authors find that political intervention in banking exhibits a U-shaped pattern, where it is most notable in the early stage of financial system development (through bank capital subsidy in exchange for state ownership of banks) and in the advanced stage (through direct lending regulation). Despite expanding credit access, political intervention results in an increase in financial system risk and does not contribute to financial system evolution. Numerous policy implications are drawn out.
Comparison of percutaneous acetic acid injection and percutaneous ethanol injection for small hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS To assess whether ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous acetic acid injection is more effective than percutaneous ethanol injection in the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY sixty patients with 1 to 4 HCC smaller than 3 cm entered a randomized controlled trial from August 1993 to September 1995. Thirty one and 29 patients were treated by percutaneous acetic acid injection using 50% acetic acid and percutaneous ethanol injection using absolute ethanol, respectively. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and biochemical data between the two groups. RESULTS All original tumors were treated successfully by the chosen therapy. However, local recurrence occurred in 8% of the 38 tumors treated with percutaneous acetic acid injection and 37% of the 35 tumors treated with percutaneous ethanol injection P>0.001). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 100% and 92% with percutaneous acetic acid injection and 83% and 63% with percutaneous ethanol injection (p=0.0017). Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors revealed that treatment was an independent predictor of survival. CONCLUSION percutaneous acetic acid injection is more effective than percutaneous ethanol injection.
The Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology Observation of Another's Action but Not Eye Gaze Triggers Allocentric Visual Perspective

distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or arising out of the use of this material.
Altered Hypothalamic Protein Expression in a Rat Model of Huntington's Disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, which is characterized by progressive motor impairment and cognitive alterations. Changes in energy metabolism, neuroendocrine function, body weight, euglycemia, appetite function, and circadian rhythm can also occur. It is likely that the locus of these alterations is the hypothalamus. We used the HD transgenic (tg) rat model bearing 51 CAG repeats, which exhibits similar HD symptomology as HD patients to investigate hypothalamic function. We conducted detailed hypothalamic proteome analyses and also measured circulating levels of various metabolic hormones and lipids in pre-symptomatic and symptomatic animals. Our results demonstrate that there are significant alterations in HD rat hypothalamic protein expression such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), heat shock protein-70, the oxidative damage protein glutathione peroxidase (Gpx4), glycogen synthase1 (Gys1) and the lipid synthesis enzyme acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 1 (Agpat1). In addition, there are significant alterations in various circulating metabolic hormones and lipids in pre-symptomatic animals including, insulin, leptin, triglycerides and HDL, before any motor or cognitive alterations are apparent. These early metabolic and lipid alterations are likely prodromal signs of hypothalamic dysfunction. Gaining a greater understanding of the hypothalamic and metabolic alterations that occur in HD, could lead to the development of novel therapeutics for early interventional treatment of HD.
Handoff analysis of the hierarchical cellular system

As mobile telephone traffic demands increase in the future, interest in cellular systems with a hierarchical structure will grow. A hierarchical cellular system can provide a high system capacity, efficient channel utilization, and an inherent load-balancing capability. In this type of system, calls blocked in a microcell flow over to a macrocell which is superimposed on a number of microcells. When overflow calls which are accommodated in a macrocell cannot be returned to a microcell, the macrocell channels become saturated. Thus, we propose a hierarchical cellular system with an underflow scheme which permits overflow calls to return to microcells. We model this underflow scheme and analyze system performance.
Reduced Neural Synchrony in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome during a Visual Oddball Task

Background Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs. It has been reported that RLS patients show cognitive deficits, presumably due to hyperactivity causing loss of attention, or malfunctions in the frontal region resulting from sleep deprivation. However, the mechanism underlying cognitive deficits in RLS patients is mostly unknown. As an effort to clarifying this, we investigated the differences in neural activity and phase synchrony between healthy controls and RLS patients during cognitive task performances. Methodology/Principal Findings Seventeen female drug-naive RLS patients were enrolled in the study, and an age-matched group of thirteen healthy female volunteers served as controls. Multichannel event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from RLS patients and normal controls while performing a visual oddball task. In addition to conventional analyses of ERP waveforms and spectra, interregional gamma-band phase synchrony (GBPS) was investigated to observe the differences in interregional neural synchronies between normal and RLS patient groups. Strong GBPS was observed primarily between anterior and posterior regions along the midline for both groups. Along with significant reduction and delay of P300 ERP and induced gamma-band activity (GBA), the GBPS was considerably decreased in RLS patients compared to normal subjects, especially at frontal region. Conclusions Overall, our results support that cognitive dysfunction in RLS patients is associated with reduced interregional neural synchrony as well as alterations in local neural activity.
Optimization of( s, S ) inventory systems with random lead times and a service level constraint

A major assumption in the analysis of (s, S) inventory systems with stochastic lead times is that orders are received in the same sequence as they are placed. Even under this assumption, much of the work to date has focused on the unconstrained optimization of the system, in which a penalty cost for unsatisfied demand is assigned. The literature on constrained optimization, wherein a service level requirement needs to be met, is more sparse. In this paper, we consider the constrained optimization problem, where orders are allowed to cross in time. We propose a feasible directions procedure that is simulation based, and present computational results for a large number of test cases. In the vast majority of cases, we come within 5% of estimated optimality.
Inhibition of erythropoietin signalling destroys xenografts of ovarian and uterine cancers in nude mice

We have recently shown that malignant tumours from the ovary and uterus expressed erythropoietin (Epo) and its receptor (EpoR), and that deprivation of Epo signal in tumour blocks induced death of malignant cells and capillary endothelial cells in vitro (Yasuda et al, submitted). These in vitro results prompted us to examine the effect of Epo-signal withdrawal on tumours in vivo. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the expression of mRNAs for Epo and EpoR in the transplants of uterine and ovarian tumours in nude mice. Then we injected locally anti-Epo antibody or soluble form of EpoR into the transplants. At 12 h, 1, 7 or 14 days after the injection, all transplants were resected and examined macro- and microscopically. Tumour size was reduced in Epo signal-deprived transplants. Immunohistochemical examinations revealed destruction of Epo-responding malignant and capillary endothelial cells through apoptotic death. The degree of tumour regression correlated well with the dose and frequency of the injections. Control xenografts with saline injection or needle insertion showed well-developed tumour masses. This Epo response pathway will have profound implications for our understanding of the development and progression of malignant tumours and for the use of Epo-signal deprivation as an effective therapy. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign
New therapeutic strategies for the treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms

Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent in the general population, especially in those of advanced age, and are characterized by notable diversity in etiology and presentation, and have been proven to cause various degrees of impairment on quality of life. The prostate has traditionally been regarded as the core cause of male LUTS. As a result, medical treatment aims to provide symptomatic relief and effective management of progression of male LUTS due to benign prostatic enlargement. In this context, α1-blockers, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors, and 5α-reductase inhibitors have long been used as monotherapies or in combination treatment to control voiding LUTS. There is accumulating evidence, however, that highlights the role of the bladder in the pathogenesis of male LUTS. Current research interests have shifted to bladder disorders, and medical management is aimed at the bladder. Muscarinic receptor antagonists and the newly approved β3-adrenergic agonist mirabegron aim to alleviate the most bothersome storage LUTS and thus improve quality of life. As voiding and storage LUTS frequently coexist, combination therapeutic strategies with α1-blockers and antimuscarinics or β3-agonists have been introduced to manage symptoms effectively. Anti-inflammatory agents, vitamin D3-receptor analogs, and cannabinoids represent treatment modalities currently under investigation for use in LUTS patients. Furthermore, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonists, transient receptor-potential channel blockers, purinergic neurotransmission antagonists, Rho-kinase inhibitors, and inhibitors of endothelin-converting enzymes could have therapeutic potential in LUTS management, but still remain in the experimental setting. This article reviews new strategies for the medical treatment of male LUTS, which are dictated by the potential role of the bladder and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia progression. Moreover, combination treatments and therapies currently under investigation are also presented.
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Non-Receptor 11 (PTPN11/Shp2) as a Driver Oncogene and a Novel Therapeutic Target in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

PTPN11 encodes the SHP2 protein tyrosine phosphatase that activates the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway upstream of KRAS and MEK. PTPN11/Shp2 somatic mutations occur frequently in Juvenile myelomonocytic leukaemia (JMML); however, the role of mutated PTPN11 in lung cancer tumourigenesis and its utility as a therapeutic target has not been fully addressed. We applied mass-spectrometry-based genotyping to DNA extracted from the tumour and matched the normal tissue of 356 NSCLC patients (98 adenocarcinomas (LUAD) and 258 squamous cell carcinomas (LUSC)). Further, PTPN11 mutation cases were identified in additional cohorts, including TCGA, Broad, and MD Anderson datasets and the COSMIC database. PTPN11 constructs harbouring PTPN11 E76A, A72D and C459S mutations were stably expressed in IL-3 dependent BaF3 cells and NSCLC cell lines (NCI-H1703, NCI-H157, NCI-H1299). The MAPK and PI3K pathway activation was evaluated using Western blotting. PTPN11/Shp2 phosphatase activity was measured in whole-cell protein lysates using an Shp2 assay kit. The Shp2 inhibitor (SHPi) was assessed both in vitro and in vivo in a PTPN11-mutated cell line for improved responses to MAPK and PI3K targeting therapies. Somatic PTPN11 hotspot mutations occurred in 4/98 (4.1%) adenocarcinomas and 7/258 (2.7%) squamous cells of 356 NSCLC patients. Additional 26 PTPN11 hotspot mutations occurred in 23 and 3 adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinoma, respectively, across the additional cohorts. Mutant PTPN11 significantly increased the IL-3 independent survival of Ba/F3 cells compared to wildtype PTPN11 (p < 0.0001). Ba/F3, NCI-H1703, and NCI-H157 cells expressing mutant PTPN11 exhibited increased PTPN11/Shp2 phosphatase activity and phospho-ERK1/2 levels compared to cells expressing wildtype PTPN11. The transduction of the PTPN11 inactivating mutation C459S into NSCLC cell lines led to decreased phospho-ERK, as well as decreased phospho-AKT in the PTPN11-mutated NCI-H661 cell line. NCI-H661 cells (PTPN11-mutated, KRAS-wild type) were significantly more sensitive to growth inhibition by the PI3K inhibitor copanlisib (IC50: 13.9 ± 4.7 nM) compared to NCI-H1703 (PTPN11/KRAS-wild type) cells (IC50: >10,000 nM). The SHP2 inhibitor, in combination with the PI3K targeting therapy copanlisib, showed no significant difference in tumour development in vivo; however, this significantly prevented MAPK pathway induction in vitro (p < 0.0001). PTPN11/Shp2 demonstrated the in vitro features of a driver oncogene and could potentially sensitize NSCLC cells to PI3K inhibition and inhibit MAPK pathway activation following PI3K pathway targeting.
GalaxyCount: a java calculator of galaxy counts and variances in multiband wide-field surveys to 28 AB mag

We provide a consistent framework for estimating galaxy counts and variances in wide-field images for a range of photometric bands. The variances include both Poissonian noise and variations due to large-scale structure. We demonstrate that our statistical theory is consistent with the counts in the deepest multiband surveys available. The statistical estimates depend on several observational parameters (e.g. seeing, signal-to-noise ratio), and include a sophisticated treatment of detection completeness. The JAVA calculator is freely available 1 and offers the user the option to adopt our consistent framework or a different scheme. We also provide a summary table of statistical measures in the different bands for a range of different fields of view. Reliable estimation of the background counts has profound consequences in many areas of observational astronomy. We provide two such examples. One is from a recent study of the Sculptor galaxy NGC 300 where stellar photometry has been used to demonstrate that the outer disc extends to 10 effective radii, far beyond what was thought possible for a normal low-luminosity spiral. We confirm this finding by a re-analysis of the background counts. Secondly, we determine the luminosity function of the galaxy cluster Abell 2734, both through spectroscopically determined cluster membership, and through statistical subtraction of the background galaxies using the calculator and offset fields. We demonstrate very good agreement, suggesting that expensive spectroscopic follow-up, or off-source observations, may often be bypassed via determination of the galaxy background with GALAXYCOUNT.
Associations between work stress, alcohol consumption and sickness absence.

AIMS To test an interactional model on the associations between work stressors, perceived stress, alcohol consumption and sickness absence. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTING The study was part of a Worksite Health Project including an Employee Assistance Programme and a Health Promotion Programme in the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Participants were blue-collar workers from two Municipal Garbage Collecting Departments and white-collar workers from a Pharmaceutical Company (N = 471). MEASUREMENTS Measurements included socio-demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, marital status), work stressors, perceived stress, alcohol consumption and sickness absence. Type of work-site (blue- or white-collar) and smoking behaviour were used as covariates. FINDINGS Regression analyses resulted in three major findings. First, in the presence of stress, abstinence increased the risk of sickness absence compared with moderate drinking. We failed to find a significant relationship between excessive drinking and sickness absence. Secondly, stress mediated the associations between stressor and alcohol consumption, and between stressor and sickness absence, although stressors also directly predicted sickness absence. CONCLUSIONS The association between abstinence and sickness absence could reflect medical problems of abstainers or a lack of skills for coping with stress. The failure to find a significant detrimental effect of excessive drinking may have been due to use of a low threshold for excessive drinking and/or low power. Prospective studies are needed to gain insight in causal relationships between the variables concerned.
Modeling representation uncertainty in concept-based multimedia retrieval

Representing multimedia documents by means of concepts labels attached to parts of these documents has great potential for improving retrieval performance. The reason is that concepts are independent from how users refer to them and from the modality in which they occur. For example, a Flower and une Fleur refers to the same concept and a singing bird can appear in an image or an audio recording. The question whether a concept occurs in a multimedia document is answered by a concept detector. However, as building concept detectors is difficult the current detection performance is low which causes the retrieval engine to be uncertain about the actual document representation. This thesis proposes the Uncertain Document Representation Ranking (URR) Framework which deals with this uncertainty by transferring the principles of the Portfolio Selection Theory in finance where the future win of a share is uncertain to the concept-based retrieval problem. Similarly to the distribution of future wins, the retrieval framework considers multiple possible concept-based document representations for each document resulting in multiple possible scores, which is the main scientific contribution of this thesis. Given an existing retrieval function for a certain representation, documents are ranked by the expected score plus an expression of the score's variance. From the general URR framework, we derive ranking models for shot and video segment retrieval. The shot retrieval and the video segment model re-use the probability of relevance and a language modeling ranking function respectively, basing themselves on decades of text retrieval research. We show in experiments that the models significantly improve performance over several strong baselines in five TRECVid collections. Furthermore, current performance of concept-based multimedia retrieval is low. A major reason for this is the performance of the concept detectors on which the simulation is based. Therefore, we predict the influence of improved concept detectors on general concept-based retrieval performance using Monte Carlo simulations. We find that more effort is needed to improve concept detectors, but it is realistic for concept-based retrieval to reach performance suitable for large-scale, real-life applications in the future. Available at http://doc.utwente. nl/72019/ (or http://robin.aly.de, with errata).
Technetium-99m-MIBI scintimammography for suspicious breast lesions.

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of scintimammography with 99mTc-MIBI in patients with suspected primary breast cancer as monitored by SPECT or planar imaging. METHODS Patients with a suspect lesion detected by palpation or mammography were entered in the study. Excisional biopsy was performed on all patients and a mammography was performed within three weeks prior to scintigraphy. All patients received intravenously 740 MBq 99mTc-MIBI in the arm, contralateral to the suspicious breast, and were subsequently examined in a prone position. At 5-10 min postinjection, planar images were obtained in both the lateral and anterior views with an acquisition time of 10 min. After planar imaging, SPECT imaging was performed using a two-head high-resolution gamma camera. RESULTS In the total patient group of 54 patients, 40 lesions were palpable and 14 were nonpalpable but were detected by mammography. Breast cancer was confirmed in 24 of the patients and 20 of the palpable masses were found to be carcinomas. The tumor size ranged from 6 to 90 mm in diameter. In scintigraphic studies, the overall sensitivity was 88% for planar imaging and 83% for SPECT. Specificity was 83% and 80%, respectively. Sensitivity for palpable lesions was 100%. The smallest detectable tumor measured was 9 mm in diameter and could only be visualized in the planar scintigram. CONCLUSION Scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBI is extremely sensitive for the detection of primary breast cancer in patients with a palpable mass. SPECT, however, did not improve the diagnostic accuracy over planar scintimammography.
Vocational and Special Education in Career Programing for the Mildly Handicapped Adolescent

In 1978 the U,S. Office of Education took the position that an appropriate comprehensive vocational education should be made available and accessible to every handicapped person, This statement was developed jointly by the then Bureau of Education for the Handicapped (now Office of Special Education) and the Bureau of Occupational and Adult Education to reflect the goals of the U.S. Office of Education. In addition to this federal commitment, legislation in the form of Public Laws 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act of 1975); 94-482 (the Education Amendments of 1976, Title II); and 93-112, (the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) has mandated appropriate vocational programing for handicapped students to be provided in the least restrictive environment. Recent employment statistics for handicapped persons indicate the need for such programing: Only 400;(, of the adult handicapped population is employed as compared to 74% of the nonhandicapped population (Levitan and Taggart, 1976). In addition, of employed handicapped individuals, 85% earn less than $7,000 per year and 52% earn less than $2,000 (U.S. Census Bureau, 1976). The cost of dependency among unemployed disabled individuals currently exceeds $115 billion per year (Razeghi, 1979). In the past, most handicapped students graduating from high school have acquired entry level skills at best. As Hoyt (1975) stated: