Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Portfolio Optimization Based on Funds Standardization and Genetic Algorithm

When investing in the stock market, the first problem and one of paramount importance which investors have to face is making the proper stock selection. Selecting the stocks that simultaneously offer high return and low risk is a difficult problem that is worth investigating. However, the traditional risk calculation based on the modern portfolio theory (MPT) of portfolios has some defects. The MPT method requires the calculations of every relationship between each pair of stocks in the portfolio, entailing high computation complexity, which grows exponentially with the increased number of stocks. Besides, the traditional calculation is unable to calculate the coefficient of variation, and merely considers the relationship between each pair of stocks, so it cannot accurately assess portfolio risk. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel method, funds standardization, and utilizes it to represent the portfolio return and calculate portfolio risk. The fluctuation of portfolio funds standardization shows not only the relationships between each pair of stocks, but also the interactions among all stocks. Hence, utilizing funds standardization can accurately assess portfolio risk and completely represent the mood swings of investors. Compared with the traditional method, the proposed method significantly reduces the computation complexity because the complexity does not increase when the portfolios stock number increases. We combine the genetic algorithm, Sharpe ratio and funds standardization to find the optimal portfolio. In addition, we utilize the sliding window to avoid the over-fitting problem, which is common in this field, and test the effect of all kinds of training and testing periods. The experimental results show that the portfolio can spread the risk effectively, and that the portfolio risk can be assessed accurately by utilizing the funds standardization. Comparing with the traditional method, our method can identify the optimal portfolio efficiently and establish a portfolio that has lower risk and stable return.
Interaction of Ceramides, Sphingosine, and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Regulating DNA Synthesis and Phospholipase D Activity (*)

C2- and C6-ceramides (N-acetylsphingosine and N-hexanoylsphingosine, respectively) abolished the stimulation of DNA synthesis by sphingosine 1-phosphate in rat fibroblasts. This inhibition by ceramide was partially prevented by insulin. C2-ceramide did not alter the stimulation of DNA synthesis by insulin and decreased the sphingosine-induced stimulation by only 16%. The ceramides did not significantly modify the actions of sphingosine or sphingosine 1-phosphate in decreasing cAMP concentrations. C2- and C6-ceramides blocked the activation of phospholipase D by sphingosine 1-phosphate, and this inhibition was not affected by insulin. Okadaic acid decreased the activation of phospholipase D by sphingosine 1-phosphate and did not reverse the inhibitory effect of C2-ceramide on this activation. Therefore, this effect of C2-ceramide is unlikely to involve the stimulation of phosphoprotein phosphatase activity. Sphingosine did not activate phospholipase D activity significantly after 10 min. C2-ceramide stimulated the conversion of exogenous [3H]sphingosine 1-phosphate to sphingosine and ceramide in fibroblasts. Ceramides can inhibit some effects of sphingosine 1-phosphate by stimulating its degradation via a phosphohydrolase that also hydrolyzes phosphatidate. Furthermore, C2- and C6-ceramides stimulated ceramide production from endogenous lipids, and this could propagate the intracellular signal. This work demonstrates that controlling the production of ceramide versus sphingosine and sphingosine 1-phosphate after sphingomyelinase activation could have profound effects on signal transduction.
Contribution of ICT Diffusion to Labour Productivity Growth: The United States, Canada, the Eurozone, and the United Kingdom, 1970-2013

This study measures and compares the trends in ICT diffusion and the contribution of ICT to labour productivity growth in the United States, Canada, the Eurozone, and the United Kingdom from 1970 to 2013. There are three main results: i) after a long period of sustained growth, ICT diffusion, as measured by the share of ICT capital stock to GDP expressed in current prices, has stabilized since 2000 in all four areas; ii) this stabilization happened at different levels, significantly higher in the United States than elsewhere; and iii) in all four jurisdictions, the contribution of ICT to labour productivity growth rose significantly in 1994-2004 compared to 1974-1994. Since 2004, the contribution of ICT to labour productivity growth has fallen off considerably. It only remains positive as a result of the continued advances in ICT performance as proxied by the continued fall in ICT prices. Unfortunately, the pace of improvement also appears to be rapidly decreasing.
Selective ulnar nerve localization is not essential for axillary brachial plexus block using a multiple nerve stimulation technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The multiple-injection technique for axillary block, in which the 4 distal nerves of the plexus are located by a nerve stimulator and separately injected, has been shown to produce a rapid onset and a high success rate. However, this technique may be more difficult and time consuming than other axillary block methods. A simplified multiple-nerve stimulation technique, in which the ulnar nerve was not located, was compared in the present double-blind study to the 4-injection approach. METHODS Eighty-four patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups. In group IV, all 4 distal nerves of the plexus were located by a nerve stimulator and injections made. In group III, all the nerves but the ulnar were located and injections made. The block was defined as complete when analgesia was present in all the sensory areas distal to the elbow. RESULTS The time to perform the block was shorter in group III (5 +/- 2 v 8 +/- 3 minutes; P <.001). Block performance pain was lower in group III patients (8 +/- 2 v 13 +/- 2 mm; P <.001). The onset time (15 +/- 6 v 16 +/- 7 minutes) and the frequency (90% v 92%) of complete block were not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS A triple-injection method of axillary block in which the ulnar nerve was not purposely located provides a spread and a latency of sensory block equal to that obtained with a 4-injection technique. A shorter performance time is an advantage of this approach.
Choices, decisions, and the call to take action: a phenomenological study utilizing bounded rationality to explore complex decision-making processes.

The nascent trends confronting higher education institutions augment the complexity of decisionmaking among college and university presidents as they internationalize their respective campuses. Internationalization can no longer be understood as a simplistic, linear, cause and effect logic model, with one correct solution. Instead, the complicated nature of internationalization requires higher education leaders to explore multiple outcomes with the understanding that the optimal solution may not be available, thus requiring them to select among satisficing options, and make good decisions based on incomplete information within the context of unknown and dynamic variables. This qualitative descriptive phenomenological study explored the complex decision-making processes inherent to internationalizing college and university campuses and captured the essence of how six college and university presidents describe their experiences navigating the decision-making arena with respect to internationalization. The researcher conducted one-on-one, in-depth, face-to-face interviews with each of the participants, and utilized a combination of semi-structured and open-ended questions. The researcher transcribed the data and employed Giorgi’s (2009) descriptive phenomenological methodology of analysis to write the textual and structural description of the phenomenon, and reveal the essence of complex decision-making. Through the lens of bounded rationality, the findings reveal that complex decision-making evokes strong emotions, and requires college and university presidents to incorporate a combination of strategies and processes as they maneuver through both linear and non-linear paths for acquiring information, seeking alternatives, and making decisions.
Ultrasound imaging in nonalcoholic liver disease: current applications and future developments.

In 1980, Ludwig described non-alcoholic liver disease (NAFLD) in patients who did not drink alcohol, but whose liver histology showed alcoholic-like liver disease (1). NAFLD includes a range of diseases from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The prevalence of NAFLD is highest in the Middle East (31.8%), followed by Asia (27.4%), USA (24.1%) and Europe (23.7%), to the lowest (13.5%) in Africa (2). Accordingly, NAFLD has emerged as the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. The overall global economic burden increases as the clinical consequences of NAFLD grow, including liver-specific, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality (3). Compared to the effective anti-viral treatments for viral chronic hepatitis, the management of NAFLDs is still under development. Although there is no universal consensus, many scientific communities have developed guidelines for diagnosis and treatment.
Association between serum ferritin and thyroid hormone profile in hypothyroidism

Background: Ferritin is an iron storage protein found in almost all of the body tissues. Serum ferritin levels also have been reported to be altered in patients with thyroid disease. Thus, changes in the serum concentrations of ferritin reflect thyroid function. Objective: For the synthesis of thyroid hormones, thyroperoxidase requires iron. It has been suggested that there is an association between thyroid profile and ferritin levels, which is the storage protein for iron in the body. This study was undertaken to assess ferritin levels in hypothyroid patients. Materials and Methods: Ferritin levels were estimated in 50 newly diagnosed patients of hypothyroidism using chemiluminescence technique (ADVIA Centaur CP). Total T3 and T4 levels were estimated using radioimmunoassay. Free T3, T4, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were estimated using chemiluminescence. These were then compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Results were correlated statistically. Results: Serum ferritin levels were found to be significantly reduced in patients with hypothyroidism compared to normal subjects (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Hypothyroidism is associated with low serum ferritin levels. The estimation of serum ferritin may help in understanding the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, and monitoring of hypothyroid patients.
Down-regulation of miR-452 is associated with poor prognosis in the non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the most life-threatening cancer in the world. The aim of the current study was to investigate the value of miR-452 for the prognosis of patients with NSCLC. METHODS Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to test the expression level of miR-452 in 161 paired clinical NSCLC tissues and their adjacent tissues. Survival curves were made and the log rank test was used to analyze the survival difference between both groups with higher and lower expression level of miR-452. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were finally used to determine the independent factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) times. RESULTS The miR-452 expressions in tumor samples (n=161) were comparably lower than those in the adjacent tissues. miR-452 expression levels were significantly associated with tumor differentiation grade, tumor size and lymph nodes metastasis. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that patients with higher expression of miR-452 was confirmed to have more favorable OS (P=0.004) and DFS (P=0.026). Multivariate survival analysis verified that miR-452 expression level, as well as lymph nodes metastasis, was an independent predictor of both OS and DFS for NSCLC patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that miR-452 functioned as a novel diagnostic biomarker and a promising prognostic predictor for NSCLC patients.
Calcineurin Co-regulates Contractile and Metabolic Components of Slow Muscle Phenotype*

Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells by the calcium-sensitive serine/threonine phosphatase calcineurin has been proposed as one of the molecular mechanisms by which motor nerve activity establishes the slow muscle phenotype. To investigate whether the calcineurin pathway can regulate the large spectrum of slow muscle characteristics in vivo, we treated rats for three weeks with cyclosporin A (an inhibitor of calcineurin). In soleus (slow muscle), but not in plantaris (fast muscle), the proportion of slow myosin heavy chain (MHC-1) and slow sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA2a) was decreased, whereas that of fast MHC (MHC-2A) and fast SERCA1 increased, indicating a slow to fast contractile phenotype transition. Cytosolic isoforms of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase (most abundant in fast fibers), as well as mitochondrial creatine kinase and citrate synthase activities (elevated in fast/oxidative fibers) were dose dependently increased by cyclosporin A treatment in soleus muscle, with no change in plantaris. Calcineurin catalytic subunit was more abundant in soleus muscle fibers compared with plantaris. Taken together these results suggest that the calcineurin pathway co-regulates a set of multigenic protein families involved in the transition between slow oxidative (type I) to fast oxidative (type IIa) phenotype in soleus muscle.
Physiological and biochemical studies on the function of 5-methyluridine in the transfer ribonucleic acid of Escherichia coli

Matched pairs of transductant strains differing by the presence of absence of 5-methyluridine (ribothymidine) (m5U) in their transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) were used to study the function of this modified nucleoside in Escherichia coli. Ordinary measurements of growth rate in different media revealed no effect of the loss of m5U in tRNA. A gene located close to trmA (the structural cistron for the methyltransferase that produces m5U in tRNA), however, was found to reduce the growth rates significantly, depending on the medium and the temperature of cultivation. Measurement of codon recognition, macromolecular composition, tRNA binding to the ribosome, and the rate of protein chain elongation in vivo indicated no disadvantage caused by the lack of m5U. The regulation of ilv and his operons seemed also to be unaffected by the absence of m5U in the tRNA. In a mixed population experiment, however, cells possessing m5U in their tRNA seemed to have a distinct advantage over cells lacking this modified nucleoside. This experiment provides the first indication of the overall value of m5U in tRNA.
Advances in the Assessment and Prediction of Interpersonal Violence

This article underscores the weakness of clinical judgment as a mechanism for prediction with examples from other areas in the psychological literature. Clinical judgment has as its Achilles’heel the reliance on a person to incorporate multiple pieces of information while overcoming human judgment errors—a feat insurmountable thus far. The actuarial approach to risk assessment has overcome many of the weaknesses of clinical judgment and has been shown to be a much superior method. Nonetheless, the static/historical nature of the risk factors associated with most actuarial approaches is limiting. Advances in risk prediction will be found in part in the development of dynamic actuarial instruments that will measure both static/historical and changeable risk factors. The dynamic risk factors can be reevaluated on an ongoing basis, and it is proposed that the level of change in dynamic factors necessary to represent a significant change in overall risk will be an interactive function with static risk factors.
PHOTOSENSITIZING EFFICIENCIES, TUMOR‐ and CELLULAR UPTAKE OF DIFFERENT PHOTOSENSITIZING DRUGS RELEVANT FOR PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY OF CANCER

Abstract Several parameters of the following dyes, all relevant as sensitizers for photochemotherapy of cancer, have been studied: Photofrin II (PII), hematoporphyrin (HP)‐di‐hexyl‐ether, HP‐di‐ethyl‐ether, tetra (3‐hydroxyphenyl) porphyrin, (3THPP), tetraphenyl porphine tetrasulphonate (TPPS4) aluminium phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (A1PCTS), aluminium phthalocyanine (A1PC), chlorin e, (Chi e6) and merocyanine 540 (MC 540). The following parameters and features of these dyes were studied: (1) Tumor uptake in C3H mouse mammary carcinomas. (2) Skin/tumor concentration ratio in the same animal system. (3) Triton X‐114/H20 partition coefficients at different pH‐values. (4) Uptake of the dyes by human cells of the line NHIK 3025. (5) Relative fluorescence quantum yields of the dyes bound to cells. (6) Absorption‐, fluorescence‐excitation‐ and fluorescence‐emission spectra of the cell‐bound dyes. (7) Relative quantum yields for photoinactivation of cells after 18 h incubation with the dyes. (8) Relative quantum yields of photodegradation of the singlet oxygen trap 1,3‐diphenylisobenzofuran (DPBF) in cells after 18 h incubation with the dyes.
Reliability and validity testing of three breastfeeding assessment tools.

OBJECTIVE This study examined validity and reliability of three clinical instruments that assess feedings at the breast. DESIGN A descriptive correlational design testing the validity and interrater and test-retest reliability of instruments. SETTING Hospital rooms and the participants' homes. SUBJECTS Eleven breastfeeding women and their neonates were videotaped in 23 breastfeeding observations. INTERVENTIONS The Infant Breastfeeding Assessment Tool (IBFAT), the Mother Baby Assessment Tool (MBA), and the LATCH assessment tool were scored by three nurse raters using videotapes of breastfeedings. Instruments were completed twice by each rater with a 6-month period between administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES To test validity, test-retest, and interrater reliability, Spearman correlation coefficients among raters' breastfeeding assessment scores, among scores of each instrument, and between test and retest scores of raters. Percent of agreement among raters for each of the items in the three tools. RESULTS Reliability coefficients for all three assessment tools are below acceptable levels for clinical decisions. Spearman rank coefficients of pairwise interrater correlations were . 57, . 27, and . 69 for the IBFAT: . 66, . 64, and . 33 for the MBA; and . 11, . 46, and . 48 for the LATCH assessment tool. Spearman rank coefficients among instrument scores were . 69, . 78, and . 68. Test-retest correlations were . 88, . 78, and . 64. Percent of agreement among raters for each of the items in the three tools was highly variable, ranging from 37.0 to 97.2. CONCLUSION The IBFAT, MBA, and LATCH as tools to measure breastfeeding effectiveness are not sufficiently reliable at this stage in their development; thus, these tools cannot be valid for clinical use. These tools need to be revised and retested before use in clinical practice to identify breastfeeding mother-infant pairs who need intervention.
Structural Basis for Recognition of the Intron Branch Site RNA by Splicing Factor 1

During spliceosome assembly, splicing factor 1 (SF1) specifically recognizes the intron branch point sequence (BPS) UACUAAC in the pre-mRNA transcripts. We show that the KH-QUA2 region of SF1 defines an enlarged KH (hn RNP K) fold which is necessary and sufficient for BPS binding. The 3′ part of the BPS (UAAC), including the conserved branch point adenosine (underlined), is specifically recognized in a hydrophobic cleft formed by the Gly-Pro-Arg-Gly motif and the variable loop of the KH domain. The QUA2 region recognizes the 5′ nucleotides of the BPS (ACU). The branch point adenosine acting as the nucleophile in the first biochemical step of splicing is deeply buried. BPS RNA recognition suggests how SF1 may facilitate subsequent formation of the prespliceosomal complex A.
Exploiting the Self-Similarity in ERP Images by Nonlocal Means for Single-Trial Denoising

Event related potentials (ERPs) represent a noninvasive and widely available means to analyze neural correlates of sensory and cognitive processing. Recent developments in neural and cognitive engineering proposed completely new application fields of this well-established measurement technique when using an advanced single-trial processing. We have recently shown that 2-D diffusion filtering methods from image processing can be used for the denoising of ERP single-trials in matrix representations, also called ERP images. In contrast to conventional 1-D transient ERP denoising techniques, the 2-D restoration of ERP images allows for an integration of regularities over multiple stimulations into the denoising process. Advanced anisotropic image restoration methods may require directional information for the ERP denoising process. This is especially true if there is a lack of a priori knowledge about possible traces in ERP images. However due to the use of event related experimental paradigms, ERP images are characterized by a high degree of self-similarity over the individual trials. In this paper, we propose the simple and easy to apply nonlocal means method for ERP image denoising in order to exploit this self-similarity rather than focusing on the edge-based extraction of directional information. Using measured and simulated ERP data, we compare our method to conventional approaches in ERP denoising. It is concluded that the self-similarity in ERP images can be exploited for single-trial ERP denoising by the proposed approach. This method might be promising for a variety of evoked and event-related potential applications, including nonstationary paradigms such as changing exogeneous stimulus characteristics or endogenous states during the experiment. As presented, the proposed approach is for the a posteriori denoising of single-trial sequences.
A Retrospective Assessment of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography in Children

Objective: To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in children and to compare MRCP with direct cholangiopancreatography (CP). Materials and Methods: We performed an unblinded, retrospective chart review of 32 children (ages 0–18 years, 17 male) who underwent MRCP between January 2002 and June 2005. MRCP, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous fluoroscopic or intraoperative studies of the pancreatobiliary tree, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. Results: Seventeen (52%) children had MRCP alone, 15 (48%) had both MR and direct CP. MRCP results correlated with other evaluative methods in 14/15 (93%) cases. There was 1 false positive (anomalous pancreatic duct union) and 0 false negatives for anatomic abnormalities. Therapeutic intervention was performed in 7 of 28 children initially evaluated by MRCP (2 sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, 2 choledocholithiasis, 2 primary sclerosing cholangitis, 1 congenital hepatic cysts) and 1 of 4 children initially evaluated by ERCP (primary sclerosing cholangitis). All 17 children initially evaluated by MRCP had no change in clinical status to suggest a missed anatomic lesion or therapeutic opportunity. Conclusions: In this retrospective study, MRCP was sensitive and specific in identifying anatomic abnormalities of the pancreatobiliary tree in children. MRCP should be considered before direct CP to evaluate anatomic abnormalities of the pancreatobiliary tree.