Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Savings of Young Parents

In this paper, we examine household savings using data from the National Longitudinal Survey, Cohort 1997 (NLSY97). This data set provides detailed information about assets and liabilities of parents with teen-age children and allows researchers to examine patterns of accumulation at early stages of the life cycle. In our empirical work, we have first to deal with several problems in measuring wealth. While many respondents report owning assets and liabilities, they often do not report their values. This problem is severe, in particular among financial assets. It is also difficult to devise an appropriate measure of accumulation when examining young parents, since assets and liabilities display different degrees of liquidity. To get around the non-response problem, we impute the missing values for assets and liabilities. This allows us to calculate household wealth for the whole sample. We examine household wealth holdings by considering several measures of accumulation: total (non-pension) net worth, financial net worth, and retirement savings. We study their distribution across different demographic groups and show that many households, in particular those headed by young parents (younger than 35), minorities, and individuals with low educational attainment, display very little accumulation. Many have no financial assets and their total net worth is also low. Housing equity is the main asset in many household portfolios and often the only asset families own. Overall, there is much heterogeneity in wealth holdings not only across but also within demographic groups. This suggests that many factors are at play in shaping the wealth accumulation of parents with young children.
Control of Quadrotors for Robust Perching and Landing

While the use of micro unmanned vehicles is steadily increasing, there are currently no viable approaches for perching and holding on to landing pads. We describe the design, control, and planning methodologies to enable perching. Our work builds on an off-the-shelf UAV and motion capture system and addresses (a) the design and fabrication of a claw or gripping mechanism for perching; and (b) planning and control algorithms for perching. We show experimental results illustrating the robustness of our algorithms and the performance envelope for grasping and perching.
Classification of surface electromyographic signals for control of upper limb virtual prosthesis using time-domain features

The development of a training system in the field of rehabilitation has always been a challenge for scientists. Surface electromyographical signals are widely used as input signals for upper limb prosthetic devices. The great mental effort of patients fitted with myoelectric prostheses during the training stage, can be reduced by using a simulator of such device. This paper presents an architecture of a system able to assist the patient and a classification technique of surface electromyographical signals, based on neural networks. Four movements of the upper limb have been classified and a rate of recognition of 96.67% was obtained when a reduced number of features were used as inputs for a feed-forward neural network with two hidden layers.
Effectiveness of endoscopic gastric cancer screening in a rural area of Linzhou, China: results from a case–control study

In China, a large burden of gastric cancer has remained, and endoscopic screening was expected to reduce gastric cancer mortality. Therefore, a population‐based case–control study was conducted to evaluate the screening effect. The gastric cancer screening program was initiated in Linzhou in the year 2005, and endoscopic examination with indicative biopsy, for residents aged 40–69 years, was used to detect early cancer and precancerous lesion. In this study, cases were defined as individuals who had died of gastric cancer, which were selected from Linzhou Cancer Registry database. Controls were residents (six per case), who had not died of gastric cancer, from the same area as the case, and matched by gender and age (±2 years). The exposure status, whether cases and controls ever attended the screening or not, was acquired by inspecting the well‐documented screening records. Conditional logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). A total of 313 cases and 1876 controls were included in our analysis. Compared with subjects who never participated in screening, the overall OR for individuals who ever participated in screening was 0.72(95% CI: 0.54–0.97). The OR for lag time 4 years or longer was 0.68(95% CI: 0.47–0.98) and the OR for those who were aged 50–59 years were 0.56 (0.37–0.85). The results suggest a 28% reduction in risk of gastric cancer mortality by endoscopic screening, which may have significant implications for gastric cancer screening in rural areas of China.
SPACES OF MATRICES WITH SEVERAL ZERO EIGENVALUES

Let V be an w-dimensional vector space over some field F, \F\ ^ n, and let SC be a space of linear mappings from V into itself {SC ^ Horn (V, V)) with the property that every mapping has at least r zero eigenvalues. If r = 0 this condition is vacuous but if r = 1 it states that SC is a space of singular mappings; in this case Flanders [1] has shown that d im#"^n(n — 1) and that if dim #" = n(n — 1) then either SC = Hom(K, U) for some (n — l)-dimensional subspace U of V or there exists veV,v ^0 such that SC {X e Horn {V, V): vX = 0}. At the other extreme r = n, the case of nilpotent mappings, a theorem of Gerstenhaber [2] states that dim SC ^ |n(n 1 ) and that if dim SC = $n(n -1) then SC is the full algebra of strictly lower triangular matrices (with respect to some suitable basis of V). In this paper we intend to derive similar results for a general value of r thereby providing some common ground for the above theorems. The condition on the cardinal of F plays an important role in our proofs although we do not know whether it is essential to the theorems. Flanders required also the constraint char F ^ 2 at one point in his proof; we do not require this and in fact our type of argument allows the field in Flanders' theorem to have arbitrary characteristic.
Three-dimensional Simulations of Relativistic Precessing Jets Probing the Structure of Superluminal Sources

We present the results of a three-dimensional, relativistic, hydrodynamic simulation of a precessing jet into which a compact blob of matter is injected. A comparison of synthetic radio maps computed from the hydrodynamic model, taking into account the appropriate light-travel time delays, with those obtained from observations of actual superluminal sources shows that the variability of the jet emission is the result of a complex combination of phase motions, viewing angle selection effects, and nonlinear interactions between perturbations and the underlying jet and/or the external medium. These results question the hydrodynamic properties inferred from observed apparent motions and radio structures and reveal that shock-in-jet models may be overly simplistic.
The Changing Face of Central Banking: Evolutionary Trends since World War II

List of figures List of tables Preface 1. The institutional make-up and evolution of central bank-government relations: an introduction 2. Legislation alone does not a central bank make: political structure, governance and reputation in monetary policy 3. Central bank personalities and monetary policy performance 4. Econometric analysis of central bank behavior: an evolutionary approach 5. Contrasting quantitative and qualitative assessments of central bank behavior and the evolution of monetary policies 6. Accountability, disclosure and conflict resolution 7. Inflation targets versus other inflation control measures: two sides of the same coin? 8. The changing face of central banking: epilogue Bibliography Index.
General Framework to Histogram-Shifting-Based Reversible Data Hiding

Histogram shifting (HS) is a useful technique of reversible data hiding (RDH). With HS-based RDH, high capacity and low distortion can be achieved efficiently. In this paper, we revisit the HS technique and present a general framework to construct HS-based RDH. By the proposed framework, one can get a RDH algorithm by simply designing the so-called shifting and embedding functions. Moreover, by taking specific shifting and embedding functions, we show that several RDH algorithms reported in the literature are special cases of this general construction. In addition, two novel and efficient RDH algorithms are also introduced to further demonstrate the universality and applicability of our framework. It is expected that more efficient RDH algorithms can be devised according to the proposed framework by carefully designing the shifting and embedding functions.
General Equilibrium and Risk Neutral Framework for Option Pricing with a Mixture of Distributions

The continuous-time framework for option pricing leads to the very desirable property that a continuous hedging strategy allows us to price options as if investors were risk neutral. But the real world doesn't permit continuous rebalancing with no transactions costs, and discrete-time models cannot get away from risk preferences. However, it has been shown that risk neutral valuation still holds for certain specific combinations of risk preference and returns process. In this article, Vitiello and Poon substantially broaden the class of such models to returns distributions that can be expressed as a mixture of g distributions. The g distribution is obtained through a transformation of a Gaussian variable. The authors derive the pricing kernel that pairs with a given g distribution to produce risk neutral valuation, and then derive option valuation models for calls and puts. As special cases, their formulas produce the known results for lognormal and normal returns. Extending the model further, they obtain pricing formulae for mixtures of two g distributions. Finally, they illustrate the use of the new models to value options on the S&P 500 index and on Heating Degree Days (HDD). One of the key virtues of this approach is its ability to price options on underlyings like HDD, that are not susceptible to delta hedging because they are illiquid or not traded at all.
Twenty‐five years of social and environmental accounting research

Reviews 25 years of social and environmental accounting literature in an attempt to evaluate the position and answer the question posed in the title, as well as to provide a structure or classification for others to use. In order to structure the task, uses three time periods: 1971‐1980; 1981‐1990; and 1991‐1995, and classifies the literature into several sub‐groups including empirical studies, normative statements, philosophical discussion, non‐accounting literature, teaching programmes and textbooks, regulatory frameworks, and other reviews. Attempts, after the classification, to synthesize an overall chronological position. Concludes that there is something to celebrate after 25 years. However, the continued success of this field is dependent on a relatively small number of researchers, writers, and specialized journals without which there would be the danger of a collapse of interest and a loss of what has been gained so far. Consequently, the provision of a place in the advanced undergraduate and graduate curriculum is a major task for the next decade. Argues that appropriately qualified and motivated professionals are needed to contribute to environmental policy and management in both the public and private sectors. However, appropriate educational programmes have not been evident to date.
Wear Behavior of Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite Prepared from Industrial Waste

With an increase in the population and industrialization, a lot of valuable natural resources are depleted to prepare and manufacture products. However industrialization on the other hand has waste disposal issues, causing dust and environmental pollution. In this work, Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite is prepared by reinforcing 10 wt% and 20 wt% of wet grinder stone dust particles an industrial waste obtained during processing of quarry rocks which are available in nature. In the composite materials design wear is a very important criterion requiring consideration which ensures the materials reliability in applications where they come in contact with the environment and other surfaces. Dry sliding wear test was carried out using pin-on-disc apparatus on the prepared composites. The results reveal that increasing the reinforcement content from 10 wt% to 20 wt% increases the resistance to wear rate.
XMM-Newton view of the double-peaked Fe Kα complex in E1821+643

We present the results of the analysis of the hard band XMM-Newton spectra of the luminous, $L_{2{-}10~{\rm keV}}\sim3.4\times10^{45}$ erg/s, radio-quiet quasar, E 1821+643 . Two emission features were observed in the 6–7 keV rest frame band, confirming previous Chandra detection of these structures. We interpret these features as two single emission lines, one consistent with the neutral Fe K α line at 6.4 keV and the other most likely due to FeXXVI. If related to the quasar, the high-energy emission line should originate in highly ionised matter, i.e. the accretion disc or the clouds of the emission line regions. Alternatively, it may be related to the intergalactic medium of the rich galaxy cluster in which E 1821+643 is embedded. A composite broad emission line in combination with an absorption line model, however, also fits the data well. We discuss the possible physical interpretations of the origin of these features.
Antitumor Effect of Periplocin in TRAIL-Resistant Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells through Downregulation of IAPs

Cortex periplocae is the dried root bark of Periploca sepium Bge. , a traditional Chinese herb medicine. It contains high amounts of cardiac glycosides. Several cardiac glycosides have been reported to inhibit tumor growth or induce tumor cell apoptosis. We extracted and purified cortex periplocae and identified periplocin as the active ingredient that inhibited the growth of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand-(TRAIL-) resistant hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The antitumor activity of periplocin was further increased by TRAIL cotreatment. Periplocin sensitized TRAIL-resistant HCC through the following two mechanisms. First, periplocin induced the expression of DR4 and FADD. Second, the cotreatment of TRAIL and periplocin suppressed several inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs). Both mechanisms resulted in the activation of caspase 3, 8, and 9 and led to cell apoptosis. In addition, intraperitoneal injection (IP) of periplocin repressed the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in xenograft tumor model in mice. In summary, periplocin sensitized TRAIL-resistant HCC cells to TRAIL treatment and resulted in tumor cell apoptosis and the repression of tumor growth in vivo.
Characterization of Cellulolytic Bacterial Cultures Grown in Different Substrates

Nine aerobic cellulolytic bacterial cultures were obtained from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Culture (DSMZ) and the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). The objectives of this study were to characterize the cellulolytic bacteria and to determine the optimum moisture ratio required for solid state fermentation (SSF) of palm kernel cake (PKC). The bacteria cultures were grown on reconstituted nutrient broth, incubated at 30°C and agitated at 200 rpm. Carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase, and mannanase activities were determined using different substrates and after SSF of PKC. The SSF was conducted for 4 and 7 days with inoculum size of 10% (v/w) on different PKC concentration-to-moisture ratios: 1 : 0.2, 1 : 0.3, 1 : 0.4, and 1 : 0.5. Results showed that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 1067 DSMZ, Bacillus megaterium 9885 ATCC, Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus 10248 DSMZ, and Paenibacillus polymyxa 842 ATCC produced higher enzyme activities as compared to other bacterial cultures grown on different substrates. The cultures mentioned above also produced higher enzyme activities when they were incubated under SSF using PKC as a substrate in different PKC-to-moisture ratios after 4 days of incubation, indicating that these cellulolytic bacteria can be used to degrade and improve the nutrient quality of PKC.
Analytic families of holomorphic iterated function systems

This paper deals with analytic families of holomorphic iterated function systems (IFSs). Using real analyticity of the pressure function (which we prove), we establish a classification theorem for analytic families of holomorphic IFSs which depend continuously on a parameter when the space of holomorphic IFSs is endowed with the λ-topology. This classification theorem allows us to generalize some geometric results from [16] and gives us a better and clearer understanding of the global structure of the space of conformal IFSs.
Spiroplasma and host immunity: activation of humoral immune responses increases endosymbiont load and susceptibility to certain Gram‐negative bacterial pathogens in Drosophila melanogaster

Spiroplasma poulsonii and its relatives are facultative, vertically transmitted endosymbionts harboured by several Drosophila species. Their long‐term survival requires not only evasion of host immunity, but also that Spiroplasma does not have a net detrimental effect on host fitness. These requirements provide the central framework for interactions between host and endosymbiont. We use Drosophila melaogaster as a model to unravel aspects of the mechanistic basis of endosymbiont–host immune interactions. Here we show that Spiroplasma does not activate an immune response in Drosophila and is not susceptible to either the cellular or humoral arms of the Drosophila immune system. We gain unexpected insight into host factors that can promote Spiroplasma growth by showing that activation of Toll and Imd immune pathways actually increases Sprioplasma titre. Spiroplasma‐mediated protection is not observed for variety of fungal and bacterial pathogens and Spiroplasma actually increases susceptibility of Drosophila to certain Gram‐negative pathogens. Finally, we show that the growth of endosymbiotic Spiroplasma is apparently self‐regulated, as suggested by the unhindered proliferation of non‐endosymbiotic Spiroplasma citri in fly haemolymph.
Cooperative Path Planning for Range-Only Localization Using a Single Moving Beacon

Underwater navigation that relies solely on dead reckoning (DR) suffers from unbounded position error growth. A common approach for alleviating the problem is to have the underwater vehicle surface occasionally for a Global Positioning System (GPS) fix, at the risk of jeopardizing the vehicle's safety and consuming precious mission time. Other alternatives include deploying a long-baseline (LBL) acoustic positioning system in the mission area; this involves substantial deployment effort. The idea of having active mobile beacons as navigational aids has recently gained interest. We explore the use of a single-beacon vehicle for range-only localization to support other autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Specifically, we focus on cooperative path-planning algorithms for the beacon vehicle using dynamic programming and Markov decision process formulations. These formulations take into account and minimize the positioning errors being accumulated by the supported AUV. This approach avoids the use of LBL acoustic positioning systems as well as allows the supported AUV to remain submerged for a longer period of time with small position error. Simulation results and field trials data demonstrate that the beacon vehicle is able to help keep the position error of the supported AUV small via acoustic range measurements.
The Influence of Morphology and Volume Fraction of Martensite on AE Signals during Tensile Loading of Dual-Phase Steels

In this paper, the failure mechanisms of Ferrite- Martensite dual-phase steels composite microstructure with various morphologies (Fibrous or Equiaxed) and volume fractions of martensite second phase (VM) (between 11- 70%) are investigated. These failure mechanisms consist of Ferrite-Martensite interface debonding and/or Martensite phase fracture. In each sample with a different morphology and VM, the failure mechanism is unique. For better study of these failure mechanisms, Acoustic Emission (AE) monitoring is used during tensile testing of several dual- phase steels with Fibrous and Equiaxed morphologies (each morphology is set with four VM) and attempted to relate the AE signals to various failure mechanisms. From AE measurements and FFT analysis, the AE signals associated with various failure mechanisms are classified on the basis of peak frequency. This study shows a good relationship between the AE signals and mechanisms of failure in various dual-phase steels.
Live tissue intrinsic emission microscopy using multiphoton-excited native fluorescence and second harmonic generation

Multicolor nonlinear microscopy of living tissue using two- and three-photon-excited intrinsic fluorescence combined with second harmonic generation by supermolecular structures produces images with the resolution and detail of standard histology without the use of exogenous stains. Imaging of intrinsic indicators within tissue, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, retinol, indoleamines, and collagen provides crucial information for physiology and pathology. The efficient application of multiphoton microscopy to intrinsic imaging requires knowledge of the nonlinear optical properties of specific cell and tissue components. Here we compile and demonstrate applications involving a range of intrinsic molecules and molecular assemblies that enable direct visualization of tissue morphology, cell metabolism, and disease states such as Alzheimer's disease and cancer.
How Can We Use the Result from a Dea Analysis? Identification of Firm-Relevant Reference Units

Two types of guidelines can be obtained from a DEA (data envelopment analysis) analysis. Firstly, the firm can reduce input or increase production according to the DEA results. Secondly, an inefficient firm might be able to identify reference units. This makes it possible for the inefficient firm to, on site, study production that is more efficient, and thereby get information on e.g. efficient organisational solutions. In this study, we focus on how to detect these firm-relevant reference units. While applying the existing methods for identification of reference units, i.e. the intensity variable method and the dominance method, on a data set concerning booking centres in the Swedish taxi market, shortcomings in these methods were identified. This motivates the development of a new method. This new method, the sphere measure, enables an inefficient unit to identify existing and efficient units that have the largest similarity with itself. The identified units will thus be firmrelevant reference units.
Hive-BDI: Extending Jason with Shared Beliefs and Stigmergy

The classic BDI model focuses on the internal functioning of a single-agent architecture. Neither shared beliefs nor spontaneous and indirect coordination via the environment are supported. We describe Hive-BDI, an extension of the Jason BDI-style language with shared beliefs implemented via the logic-based coordination language ReSpecT and with stigmergy obtained via digital pheromones. A case study where robots roaming an unknown environment collaborate for creating a map demonstrates the feasibility of our approach.