Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A similarity-based inference engine for non-singleton fuzzy logic systems

In non-singleton fuzzy logic systems (NSFLSs) input uncertainties are modelled with input fuzzy sets in order to capture input uncertainty such as sensor noise. The performance of NSFLSs in handling such uncertainties depends both on the actual input fuzzy sets (and their inherent model of uncertainty) and on the way that they affect the inference process. This paper proposes a novel type of NSFLS by replacing the composition-based inference method of type-1 fuzzy relations with a similarity-based inference method that makes NSFLSs more sensitive to changes in the input's uncertainty characteristics. The proposed approach is based on using the Jaccard ratio to measure the similarity between input and antecedent fuzzy sets, then using the measured similarity to determine the firing strength of each individual fuzzy rule. The standard and novel approaches to NSFLSs are experimentally compared for the well-known problem of Mackey-Glass time series predictions, where the NSFLS's inputs have been perturbed with different levels of Gaussian noise. The experiments are repeated for system training under both noisy and noise-free conditions. Analyses of the results show that the new method outperforms the standard approach by substantially reducing the prediction errors.
A generalized variance gamma process for financial applications

In this work we propose a new multivariate pure jump model. We fully characterize a multivariate Lévy process with finite- and infinite-activity components in positive and negative jumps. This process generalizes the variance gamma process, featuring a ‘stochastic volatility’ effect due to Poisson randomized intensities of positive and negative gamma jumps. Linear and nonlinear dependence is introduced, without restrictions on marginal properties, separately on both positive and negative jumps and on both finite- and infinite-activity jumps. Such a new approach provides greater flexibility in calibrating nonlinear dependence than in other comparable Lévy models in the literature. The model is very tractable and a straightforward multivariate simulation procedure is available. An empirical analysis shows an almost perfect fit of option prices across a span of moneyness and maturities and a very accurate multivariate fit of stock returns in terms of both linear and nonlinear dependence. A sensitivity analysis of multi-asset option prices emphasizes the importance of the proposed new approach for modeling dependence.
The protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester against toluene-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study is to examine the negative effects of toluene on kidney tissues and functions and to investigate the protective effects of CAPE against toluene-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. A total of 21 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups of equal number in each. The rats in group I were the controls. Toluene was intraperitoneally injected into the rats in group II with a dose of 500 mg/kg. Rats in group III received CAPE daily while exposed to toluene. After 14 days of experimental period, all rats were killed by decapitation. Enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were studied in the rat kidneys. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels were measured for renal function. The CAT and SOD enzyme activities and serum creatinine levels were significantly increased in rats treated with toluene when compared with the controls. But GSH-Px activity, MDA, and BUN levels showed statistically nonsignificant changes. However, increased CAT and SOD enzyme activities and decreased serum creatinine levels were detected in the rats that received CAPE while exposed to toluene. The GSH-Px activity and MDA and BUN levels in the same group did not show statistically significant changes. The results of our study demonstrated that toluene damages kidney tissue and is a nephrotoxic substance. CAPE was able to prevent the renal damage as antioxidant, antitoxic, and nephroprotective agent.
Institutionalisation of Derivatives Trading and Economic Growth: Evidence from South Africa

The purpose of this paper is to foresee the likely developmental impact of the proposed institutionalisation of derivatives trading in sub-Saharan Africa(n) (SSA) countries. The case of South Africa is emphasised to illustrate how domestic derivatives trading could influence economic growth and economic growth volatility; measuring growth in real GDP. From an empirical standpoint, the influence of local derivatives activity on economic growth could not be proven, even though a long-run Granger causality is reported from economic growth to the expansion of local derivatives. These results at least sustain the realistic view that developing derivatives markets is a rather long-run process, and that efficient trading could not be achieved over the short-run. GARCH (1, 1) representation of a significant negative effect of derivatives trading on growth volatility establishes the stabilising effect of derivatives markets on the economy, but this does not constitute sufficient evidence to prove that derivatives trading can contribute to economic growth. Recommendation is that further research should look into the impact of derivatives trading on the liquidity of capital markets so as to assess the extent to which derivatives markets are able induce liquidity in their underlying capital markets, and thus provide suitable conditions for their own expansion and survival.
Using Static Analysis to Find Bugs

Static analysis examines code in the absence of input data and without running the code. It can detect potential security violations (SQL injection), runtime errors (dereferencing a null pointer) and logical inconsistencies (a conditional test that can't possibly be true). Although a rich body of literature exists on algorithms and analytical frameworks used by such tools, reports describing experiences in industry are much harder to come by. The authors describe FindBugs, an open source static-analysis tool for Java, and experiences using it in production settings. FindBugs evaluates what kinds of defects can be effectively detected with relatively simple techniques and helps developers understand how to incorporate such tools into software development.
Closure on “A New Criterion for the Quantification of Broken Rotor Bars in Induction Motors”

We review the corresponding references and find out that there exists a mess indeed. The angular displacement refers to the stator winding impedance angle. It is worth mentioning that the power factor angle approximately equals to the equivalent circuit impedance angle disregarding the rotor asymmetry resulted from an incipient rotor fault. Consequently, it is reasonable to regard the angular displacement as the power factor angle.
New Labour's Policy Style: A Mix of Policy Approaches

This article reviews the policy process behind recent welfare reforms and considers the policy styles used in a broad range of social policy areas on the basis of interviews with leading policy actors. It argues that a mix of policy-making methods is currently being used, ranging from the classic top-down approach, through the use of external commissions to a more bottom-up approach, where policy is to a large degree designed by external groups. The type of policy and the power relations between key actors and the government determine the approach. Indeed, this shows a different perception of British policy-making, as the inclusive approach contrasts sharply with the traditional directive Westminster model.
Inequality in Incomes and Access to Education: A Cross-Country Analysis (1960-95)

In the current debate on the relationship between inequality in income distribution and growth one of the possible link works through the access to education. After reviewing this debate, a formal model shows how the imperfection of financial markets makes educational choices dependent on the distribution; and a positive dependence on public resources invested in education and/or on skill for the period 1960-95. The main findings of this analysis are that, once we control for the degree of development with the (log of) per capita output, financial constraints seems mainly relevant in limiting the access to secondary education. Finally, there is weak evidence that public resources spent on education raise the enrolment rates.
Hedging House Price Risk: Portfolio Choice With Housing Futures

We assess the economic benefits of having access to housing futures for homeowning investors, using a model for the portfolio choice between stocks, bonds of various maturity, different mortgage types, and housing futures. We compare the utility gains of housing futures with the economic benefits of two other important housing-related portfolio decisions: (i) incorporating the housing exposure in financial portfolio choice and (ii) mortgage choice. Our analysis indicates that the portfolio implications and welfare improvements of the housing futures are small. This is mainly due to the large remaining idiosyncratic house price risk which cannot be hedged using futures written on a city-level house price index.
On the statistical and economic performance of stock return predictive regression models: an international perspective

The predictability of stock returns is assessed in 10 countries using the linear predictive regression framework. We use recently developed out-of-sample statistical tests and include both valuation ratios and interest rates as predictive variables. Contrary to previous studies, we explicitly address the issue of the small-sample bias, deal with trading profitability, and employ several risk-adjusted metrics. When statistical forecastability is found, it cannot be exploited to consistently deliver abnormal returns across countries and investment horizons. We hold the view that returns are predictable to some extent, but show that such forecasts are not useful for portfolio advice.
CD30 (Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphomas in 13 patients with and 27 patients without human immunodeficiency virus infection: the first comparative clinicopathologic study from a single institution that also includes 80 patients with other human immunodeficiency virus-related systemic lym

PURPOSE CD30 (Ki-1)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (Ki-1 ALCL) rarely has been described in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The purpose of this study was to characterize further the clinicopathologic features of Ki-1 ALCL in patients with HIV infection and, for the first time, to make a comparison with Ki-1 ALCL in patients without HIV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS From September 1987 to April 1993, 93 patients with HIV infection and systemic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were treated at the Cancer Center of Aviano, Italy; in 13 (14%), the diagnosis was of Ki-1 ALCL subtype. This group of patients was compared with the remaining 80 patients who had other HIV-related NHL and with another group of 27 patients with Ki-1 ALCL who were without a diagnosis of HIV infection. RESULTS There was no case of a T-cell phenotype in the 13 HIV-positive Ki-1 ALCL patients, whereas there was such a phenotype in six of 27 (22%) HIV-negative Ki-1 ALCL patients. In regard to the general characteristics of the two groups with Ki-1 ALCL, more patients with stage IV, two or more extranodal sites at presentation, treatment-related leukopenia, and opportunistic infections as the cause of death were observed in the HIV-positive Ki-1 ALCL group. When these variables were compared with those of the other HIV-related NHL group, such differences were not present. CONCLUSION Ki-1 ALCL is not a rare clinicopathologic entity among NHL in patients with HIV infection. The differences observed within the two Ki-1 ALCL groups of patients may be because of factors related to the HIV infection alone.
Regional Financial Sector Models: An Application to the Northern Ireland Financial Sector

HUTCHINSON R. W. and McKILLOP D. G. (1990) Regional financial sector models: an application to the Northern Ireland financial sector, Reg. Studies 24, 421–431. This paper presents an analysis of recent theoretical developments in the treatment of regional financial markets. It starts from a position where regional financial markets are fully integrated in a national system, with regional financial institutions having a neutral effect on their regional economy. It then indicates how interregional differences in information costs can result in a degree of inter-regional financial market segmentation, creating conditions under which regional interest rates can diverge from national rates. The theoretical analysis also demonstrates how market segmentation, resulting from financial institutions with elements of regional autonomy, can impact upon a region's ability to undertake profitable investment. The applicability of these models is then tested employing the Northern Ireland financial sector as the control.
A Comparison of Successor Development in Family and Nonfamily Businesses

Although many streams of management research address leadership, succession, and executive development issues, significant gaps in the literature remain. In particular, few studies have systematically explored the systems by which the future leaders (successors) of family firms are developed. This research presents a descriptive study in which the successor development approaches of small to medium-sized family and nonfamily firms are compared. The findings indicate that (1) family firms favor more personal, relationship-centered approaches to successor development; (2) nonfamily firms prefer formalized, task-oriented development approaches; and (3) company size has no real effect on successor development.
In vivo imaging of rat cortical bone porosity by synchrotron phase contrast micro computed tomography

Cortical bone is a dynamic tissue which undergoes adaptive and pathological changes throughout life. Direct longitudinal tracking of this remodeling process holds great promise for improving our understanding of bone development, maintenance and senescence. The application of in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) has enabled longitudinal tracking of trabecular bone microarchitecture with commercially available scanners generally operating in the 10–20 µm voxel range with absorbed doses reported between 0.5 and 1 Gy. Imaging of cortical bone microarchitecture (porosity) requires higher resolution and thus in vivo imaging of these structures has not been achieved due to excessive radiation dose. In this study we tested the hypothesis that synchrotron propagation phase contrast micro-CT can enable in vivo imaging of cortical porosity in rats at doses comparable to those currently employed for trabecular bone imaging. Synchrotron imaging experiments were conducted at the Canadian Light Source using the bending magnet beamline of the BioMedical Imaging and Therapy (BMIT) facility. Protocol optimization (propagation distance, projection number) was conducted ex vivo on rat (Sprague-Dawley) forelimbs with dose determined by ion chamber and lithium fluoride crystal thermoluminescent dosimeters. Comparative ex vivo imaging was performed using laboratory in vivo scanning systems, identifying a range of doses between 1.2–3.6 Gy for common protocols. A final in vivo synchrotron protocol involving a 2.5 Gy dose was implemented with live rats. The resulting images demonstrated improved delineation of cortical porosity through the improved edge enhancement effect of phase contrast, opening the door to novel experimental studies involving the longitudinal tracking of remodeling.
Effects of vitamin D receptor knockout on cornea epithelium gap junctions.

PURPOSE Gap junctions are present in all corneal cell types and have been shown to have a critical role in cell phenotype determination. Vitamin D has been shown to influence cell differentiation, and recent work demonstrates the presence of vitamin D in the ocular anterior segment. This study measured and compared gap junction diffusion coefficients among different cornea epithelium phenotypes and in keratocytes using a noninvasive technique, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), and examined the influence of vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout on epithelial gap junction communication in intact corneas. Previous gap junction studies in cornea epithelium and keratocytes were performed using cultured cells or ex vivo invasive techniques. These invasive techniques were unable to measure diffusion coefficients and likely were disruptive to normal cell physiology. METHODS Corneas from VDR knockout and control mice were stained with 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA). Gap junction diffusion coefficients of the corneal epithelium phenotypes and of keratocytes, residing in intact corneas, were detected using FRAP. RESULTS Diffusion coefficients equaled 18.7, 9.8, 5.6, and 4.2 μm(2)/s for superficial squamous cells, middle wing cells, basal cells, and keratocytes, respectively. Corneal thickness, superficial cell size, and the superficial squamous cell diffusion coefficient of 10-week-old VDR knockout mice were significantly lower than those of control mice (P < 0.01). The superficial cell diffusion coefficient of heterozygous mice was significantly lower than control mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate differences in gap junction dye spread among the epithelial cell phenotypes, mirroring the epithelial developmental axis. The VDR knockout influences previously unreported cell-to-cell communication in superficial epithelium.
Antiinflammatory and Antinociceptive Activities of Zingiber zerumbet Methanol Extract in Experimental Model Systems

Objective: The present study was carried out to determine the antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities of a methanol extract of Zingiber zerumbet rhizomes (MEZZ) using various experimental model systems. Materials and Methods: The MEZZ was prepared by macerating oven-dried (50°C) powdered rhizomes (1.2 kg) of Z. zerumbet in 80% methanol in a ratio of 1:20 (w/v) for 48 h. The supernatant was collected, filtered and evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure (50°C) yielding approximately 21.0 g of the crude dried extract. The crude dried extract was stored at –20°C prior to use and was dissolved in normal saline (0.9% NaCl) immediately before administration at concentrations required to produce doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg. Results: All dosages of MEZZ showed significant (p < 0.05) antiedema activity when assessed using the carrageenan-induced paw edema test and the cotton-pellet-induced granuloma test. The MEZZ exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antinociceptive activity when assessed by the writhing, hot plate and formalin tests. Pretreatment with naloxone (5 mg/kg) significantly decreased the latency of discomfort produced by the 100 mg/kg dose of MEZZ in the hot plate test. Conclusion: MEZZ produced antiinflammatory and antinociceptive activities which may involve the inhibition of bradykinin-, prostaglandin-, histamine- and opioid-mediated processes.
Revisiting the pioneering market orientation model in an emerging economy

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to replicate Kohli and Jaworski, and Kohli's pioneering market orientation model within a highly growth‐oriented and competitive banking industry in an emerging Middle‐Eastern economy, Jordan.Design/methodology/approach – A survey was conducted among top management personnel of 475 bank branches in Jordan. A total of 11 hypotheses related to market orientation; its antecedents and consequences were examined by estimating multiple regression models.Findings – The study confirms that market orientation‐performance relationship is robust across diverse contexts. Also, top management traits are consistent predictors of market orientation. However, organizational factors as direct and linear determinants of market orientation are not completely stable. Further, the nature of the correlations between environmental factors and market orientation may be more complex than has been believed. In addition, within‐country variations along Hofstede's cultural dimensions may be pos.
Evaluating Cell Phone and Personal Communications Equipment and their EMC Effects on Automotive Audio and In-Cabin Modules

The purpose of this R&D project was to identify the threats posed to vehicle in-cabin electronic modules by cellular phones and personal communications devices. The goal was to determine which types of radiated immunity tests, test levels, and carrier signal modulations, will effectively identify potential compatibility issues at the module test level before it reaches the vehicle.
Low fraction of the 222K PrP variant in the protease-resistant moiety of PrPres in heterozygous scrapie positive goats

The presence of lysine (K) at codon 222 has been associated with resistance to classical scrapie in goats, but few scrapie cases have been identified in 222Q/K animals. To investigate the contribution of the 222K variant to PrPres formation in natural and experimental Q/K scrapie cases, we applied an immunoblotting method based on the use of two different monoclonal antibodies, F99/97.6. 1 and SAF84, chosen for their different affinities to 222K and 222Q PrP variants. Our finding that PrPres seems to be formed nearly totally by the 222Q variant provides evidence that the 222K PrP variant confers resistance to conversion to PrPres formation and reinforces the view that this mutation has a protective role against classical scrapie in goats.
Should top universities be led by top researchers and are they?: A citations analysis

Purpose – This paper seeks to address the question: should the world's top universities be led by top researchers, and are they? Design/methodology/approach – The lifetime citations are counted by hand of the leaders of the world's top 100 universities identified in a global university ranking. These numbers are then normalised by adjusting for the different citation conventions across academic disciplines. Two statistical measures are used – Pearson's correlation coefficient and Spearman's ρ. Findings – This study documents a positive correlation between the lifetime citations of a university's president and the position of that university in the global ranking. Better universities are run by better researchers. The results are not driven by outliers. That the top universities in the world – who have the widest choice of candidates – systematically appoint top researchers as their vice chancellors and presidents seems important to understand. This paper also shows that the pattern of presidents' life‐time .
Testing for the Law of One Price and Identifying Price‐Leading Markets: An Application to Corn Markets in Benin

A data-determined method is proposed to test for the law of one price as a long-run equilibrium condition and to identify which markets in a network of spatially dispersed commodity markets quote the reference price. The method consists of supplementing Johansen's FIML cointegration procedure with a permanent-transitory decomposition and rules of inference in linear time-series models with unit roots. As an example, we apply our method to prices of six corn markets in Benin. We find that the law of one price holds in the long-run. It appears that two rural markets quote the reference price: their prices adjust fastest towards the permanent change induced by the common stochastic trend.