Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Cross-Sectional Score for the Relative Performance of an Allocation

Sharpe-like ratios have been traditionally used to measure the performances of portfolio managers. However, they are known to suffer major drawbacks. Among them, two are intricate : (1) they are relative to a peer's performance and (2) the best score is generally assumed to correspond to a "good" portfolio allocation, with no guarantee on the goodness of this allocation. Last but no least (3) these measures suffer significant estimation errors leading to the inability to distinguish two managers' performances. In this paper, we propose a cross-sectional measure of portfolio performance dealing with these three issues. First, we define the score of a portfolio over a single period as the percentage of investable portfolios outperformed by this portfolio. This score quantifies the goodness of the allocation remedying drawbacks (1) and (2). The new information brought by the cross-sectionality of this score is then discussed through applications. Secondly, we build a performance index, as the average cross-section score over successive periods, whose estimation partially answers drawback (3). In order to assess its informativeness and using empirical data, we compare its forecasts with those of the Sharpe and Sortino ratios. The results show that our measure is the most robust and informative. It validates the utility of such cross-sectional performance measure.
Tooth loss and associated risk indicators in an adult urban population from south Brazil

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence, extent, and risk indicators of tooth loss in a representative adult, urban population in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. A sample of 974 subjects (ages 30 to 103 years, mean 48.7, SD 13.4) representative of the metropolitan area of Porto Alegre, Brazil was selected by a multi-stage probability cluster sampling strategy. In all, 94% of the subjects had experienced tooth loss. The mean tooth loss was 11.2 teeth, and varied between 5.5 and 20.2 teeth in the 30–39 and 60+ years age groups, respectively. The multivariable analysis, adjusted for age, showed that subjects who had lost 7–13 or ⩾14 teeth were more likely to be females (odds ratio (OR)=1.4, 2.4), of low (OR=2.8, 5.1) or middle socio-economic status (OR=2.3, 3.4), and heavy smokers (OR=2.0, 2.3) than those with 6 or fewer missing teeth. Furthermore, loss of ⩾14 teeth was associated with presence of >50% teeth with attachment loss ⩾5 mm (OR=5.7), and loss of 7–13 teeth was associated with presence of >50% teeth with attachment loss ⩾5 mm (OR=2.4) and having 15–30% or >30% decayed-filled teeth (OR=2.7 and 4.1). In conclusion, tooth loss is highly prevalent in this urban Brazilian population. Gender, socio-economic status, cigarette smoking, caries experience, and attachment loss are important risk indicators. A reduction in the population's tooth loss may be achieved by the implementation of community programs for the prevention and treatment of dental caries and periodontal diseases.
Increase in Plasma Methionine-Enkephalin Levels During the Pain Attack in Episodic Cluster Headache

Since high levels of endogenous opioids (endorphins, enkephalins) were found in brain areas classically related to nociception, their peripheral levels in humans were studied in different pain syndromes yielding contradictory results. This study was undertaken to assess changes in plasma methionine-enkephalin (met-enkephalin) levels in patients with episodic cluster headache associated with the pain period. Twenty-nine patients, 24 in the cluster period (6 of them during an attack) and 3 in the remission period were studied. Two other patients were subjected to a longitudinal follow-up. Plasma met-enkephalin levels were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) with specific antibody. Plasma peptide concentration (pmol/ml) was higher (p < 0.001) in patients during the pain attack (3.97 ± 1.18) than in controls (0.25 ± 0.03). When measured 4 and 48 h after the pain attack lower levels were found (0.46 ± 0.06) which decreased to control values after 24 h. These results may suggest involvement of peripheral enkephalins in pain modulation in patients with episodic cluster headache.
Analyses of the results of different test systems in the 2005 global proficiency testing schemes for infectious bursal disease virus and Newcastle disease virus antibody detection in chicken serum

The results of global proficiency testing schemes (PTS) for serological tests to detect antibodies against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in chicken serum, in which 125 and 120 laboratories, respectively, participated from Africa, Asia, Europe, Central and South America, were used to analyse the performances of different antibody test systems such as virus neutralization tests, haemagglutination inhibition tests, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and agar gel precipitation tests. All laboratories were asked to carry out their routine diagnostic tests for the detection of IBDV and NDV antibodies as usual. This global ring trial provided a large amount of data on variation within and between laboratories and test systems used worldwide. The data showed that the variation between the quantitative test results of different laboratories (R between) using the IBDV virus neutralization tests and the NDV haemagglutination inhibition test was higher (about double) compared with the variation within commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay systems. Although both tests are often referred to and used as the “gold standard” in experimental and scientific studies, official procedures and for the validation of tests, this study shows that there is an urgent need for a global implementation of recommended test procedures and/or the inclusion of international reference sera in these studies.
Magnetic resonance imaging–based volume studies in temporal lobe epilepsy: Pathological correlations

We performed a prospective study correlating magnetic resonance imaging volume measurements of the hippocampal formation with histopathology in 24 patients with intractable partial epilepsy who subsequently underwent an anterior temporal lobectomy for their seizure disorder. Patients with mass lesions verified pathologically were excluded from this study. In 71% of patients, quantitative hippocampal formation atrophy correctly lateralized the temporal lobe of seizure origin; in 29%, the volume study was indeterminant. The severity of the pathological alterations in the hippocampus correlated with the hippocampal formation volume determination. Mesial temporal sclerosis was identified in the surgically excised temporal lobe in 15 patients. The magnetic resonance imaging volume studies indicated hippocampal atrophy in the temporal lobe resected in 14 of the 15 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging‐based volume measurements of the hippocampal formation increase the diagnostic yield of magnetic resonance imaging scanning in patients with intractable partial epilepsy related to mesial temporal sclerosis.
Blue Economy and Competing Discourses in International Oceans Governance

In this article, we track a relatively new term in global environmental governance: “blue economy. ” Analyzing preparatory documentation and data collected at the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (i.e., Rio + 20), we show how the term entered into use and how it was articulated within four competing discourses regarding human–ocean relations: (a) oceans as natural capital, (b) oceans as good business, (c) oceans as integral to Pacific Small Island Developing States, and (d) oceans as small-scale fisheries livelihoods. Blue economy was consistently invoked to connect oceans with Rio + 20’s “green economy” theme; however, different actors worked to further define the term in ways that prioritized particular oceans problems, solutions, and participants. It is not clear whether blue economy will eventually be understood singularly or as the domain of a particular actor or discourse. We explore possibilities as well as discuss discourse in global environmental governance as powerful and precarious.
[Factors for weight loss in patients with senile dementia].

The authors investigated causes for weight loss in inpatients with senile dementia, who could take diets. The 81 patients (80 +/- 8.3 years of mean age +/- S.D., 22 males and 59 females) included 48 cases of senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) and 25 cases of multi-infarct dementia (MID). Controls consisted of 77 non-demented patients (82 +/- 9.1 years, 29 males and 48 females) who were admitted because of cerebrovascular or cardiopulmonary diseases. Demented patients showed an average of -1.8 +/- 8.5% weight change per year, while that of non-demented patients was +4.4 +/- 6.3%, resulting in a significant difference between them (p < 0.0001). Between demented males and females, there was no significant difference. In male, SDAT cases showed more weight loss than MID cases (-5.0 +/- 5.1% vs +3.3 +/- 4.2%, P = 0.003), although in females there was no significant difference between SDAT and MID. Even when patients with a wandering tendency or complications were excluded, results essentially did not change. In demented patients, weight change did not correlated with age, amount of dietary intake, length of hospital stay or serum albumin level. However, it correlated with body weight (r = 0.26, P = 0.014), ADL index (GBS-A) (r = 0.22, P = 0.04), and with Mini-Mental State Examination score (r = 0.23, P = 0.048). In multiple regression analysis, the most powerful explanatory variable in demented males was the index for cerebral atrophy. These results confirmed previous studies reporting that reduced dietary intake, complications or hyperactivity do not fully explain weight loss in demented patients. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Modeling the structure of the StART domains of MLN64 and StAR proteins in complex with cholesterol1s⃞ Published, JLR Papers in Press, September 21, 2006.

Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein-related lipid transfer (StART) domains are ubiquitously involved in intracellular lipid transport and metabolism and other cell-signaling events. In this work, we use a flexible docking algorithm, comparative modeling, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to generate plausible three-dimensional atomic models of the StART domains of human metastatic lymph node 64 (MLN64) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) proteins in complex with cholesterol. Our results show that cholesterol can adopt a similar conformation in the binding cavity in both cases and that the main contribution to the protein-ligand interaction energy derives from hydrophobic contacts. However, hydrogen-bonding and water-mediated interactions appear to be important in the fine-tuning of the binding affinity and the position of the ligand. To gain insights into the mechanism of binding, we carried out steered MD simulations in which cholesterol was gradually extracted from within the StAR model. These simulations indicate that a transient opening of loop Ω1 may be sufficient for uptake and release, and they also reveal a pathway of intermediate states involving residues known to be crucial for StAR activity. Based on these observations, we suggest specific mutagenesis targets for binding studies of cholesterol and its derivatives that could improve our understanding of the structural determinants for ligand binding by sterol carrier proteins.
The Role of Ku70 in Regulating Cell Death During Cerebral Cortical Development

Ku70’s role in DNA repair is well-characterized and is critical for neuronal survival during cortical neurogenesis. Mice deficient in DNA repair exhibit elevated cell death of immature neurons during neurogenesis, demonstrating that young neurons have a high requirement for DNA repair. More recently, Ku70 has been demonstrated to bind and sequester Bax, a pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 family, and prevent Bax from translocating to the mitochondria to initiate the intrinsic cell death mechanism. First, we identified dying cells in the Ku70 null cortex as immature, migrating neuroblast. Then, we utilized in utero electroporation of a mutant construct of Ku70 (Ku70 Δ60) in Ku70 null embryos to investigate whether deficiency in DNA repair or loss of Bax regulation were vital for cell survival during corticogenesis. The mutant Ku70 is truncated at the N-terminus, which is crucial for its DNA binding and DNA repair function, while the Bax binding domain is retained at the C-terminus. Electroporation of both wildtype Ku70 and Ku70 Δ60 resulted in a 50% decrease in cell death compared to negative control, suggesting that Ku70’s mediates cell death during cortical development via its cytoprotective function. This
Reliability of peak-lactate, heart rate, and plasma volume following the Wingate test.

PURPOSE The 30-s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) has been used to assess anaerobic performance capacity and to evaluate physiological responses to supramaximal exercise. Blood lactate concentration ([La]) following supramaximal exercise is often used in the field and in the laboratory to assess the glycolytic contribution to exercise. Although the reliability of the performance in the WAnT has been established, this has not been the case with the WAnT's [La] response. Thus, the main purpose of this research was to study the test-retest reliability of peak [La] following the WAnT. Additionally, the test-retest reliability of the heart rate (HR) and plasma volume changes (deltaPV) response was also evaluated. METHODS Twenty-nine subjects (15 male, 14 female) of diverse training levels as well as physical characteristics (mean +/- SD: 23.3+/-7.0 yr, 62.5+/-12.0 kg, 170.8+/-9.7 cm, and 16.3+/-6.2% fat) performed two WAnTs within 1 wk. Capillary blood was sampled from a prewarmed fingertip at rest, just before the WAnT and at 3, 5, 7, and 9 min following it. HR was also measured during these times. RESULTS Mean-power (MP) (+/-SE) in test 1 and test 2 was 8.4+/-0.2 and 8.3+/-0.2 W X kg(-1) body mass, respectively. Peak [La] was attained 5-7 min following the WAnTs and was not significantly different between test 1 and test 2 (9.7+/-0.3 vs 9.8+/-0.3 mM, respectively). Peak HR occurred within 5 s post-WAnT and was not different between tests (170.8+/-2.2 and 171.3+/-2.2 beats X min(-1), in test 1 and test 2, respectively). Peak deltaPV was not different between tests (-12.0+/-3.4 and -11.1+/-3.2%, in test 1 and test 2, respectively). The intraclass reliability coefficients for peak [La]. peak HR and deltaPV were 0.926, 0.941, and 0.878, respectively, whereas the corresponding value for MP was 0.982. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that peak [La], peak HR, and deltaPV following the WAnT are reliable measures.
Prognostic Features of Surgical Stage I Uterine Carcinosarcoma

Uterine carcinosarcomas (CSs) are aggressive neoplasms, with 5-year overall survival (OS) rates of less than 35%. They are customarily separated into types harboring either heterologous or homologous mesenchymal elements, but the prognostic significance of this finding is controversial. Our goal was to study clinicopathologic features of possible prognostic relevance in surgical stage I uterine CS. A retrospective clinical and histopathologic review was performed for all women diagnosed with surgical stage I uterine CS. These tumors were compared with stage I high-grade endometrial (HGEm) carcinomas for clinical outcomes. There were 42 cases of surgical stage I uterine CS identified between January 1990 and January 2004. The disease-free survival and OS rates for patients with stage I CS were significantly worse compared with stage I HGEm (P=0.001; P=0.01). The median disease-free survival for patients with heterologous CS was 15 months and had not been reached for women with homologous CS (P=0.001). The 3-year OS rates were 45% versus 93% in women with heterologous compared with homologous stage I CS (P<0.001). The 3-year OS rates for homologous CS and HGEm were both >90%. Homologous stage I CSs have survival outcomes that are similar to HGEm. This further supports the concept that homologous stage I CSs are carcinomas with sarcomatoid features, not sarcomas. More importantly, the presence of heterologous sarcomatous elements is a powerful negative prognostic factor in surgical stage I uterine CS.
Deficits, Saving, and Economic Policy

The John R. Commons Lecture Award, named in honor of one of the early founders of our society, is tendered in recognition of encouragement and service to Omicron Delta Epsilon, to students of economics, and to the economic profession. Criteria for choosing the recipient are: partic ipation in the affairs of Omicron Delta Epsilon; encouraging student interest in economics and economic affairs; and contributing to the body of economic knowledge. Previous recipients of the John R. Commons Award are Evsey Domar (1965), Arthur Smith ies (1967), Gerhard Tintner (1969), Milton Friedman (1971), Kenneth J. Arrow (1973), William J. Baumol (1975), Robert Solow (1977), Abram Bergson (1979), Arnold Zellner (1981), Dale W. Jorgenson (1983), Kenneth Boulding (1985), Gary Becker (1987), Martin Feldstein (1989), and Douglass C. North (1992). The recipient of the 1994 John R. Commons Award was Robert Eisner.
The relative potencies of heat-killed and acetone-killed vaccines against Salmonella typhimurium in mice

SUMMARY Mice were immunized against Salmonella typhimurium with graded doses of heat-killed (HK) and acetone-killed (AK) vaccines and then challenged by the oral or intraperitoneal routes with two doses of S. typhimurium. HK and AK vaccines gave good protection against an intraperitoneal challenge, but failed to protect against an oral challenge which is presumably the natural mode of infection. HK vaccine was as potent as AK vaccine in reducing the mortality rate among mice challenged by the intraperitoneal route but, unlike HK vaccine, AK vaccine was also able to reduce the infectivity rate. With a small intraperitoneal challenge dose it was observed that a gradual increase in vaccine dose is associated with a corresponding fall in mortality rate, but with a larger challenge dose an increase in vaccine dose was associated with a corresponding increase in mortality rates. It was concluded that the protective potency of this type of vaccine may partly depend upon the total amount of antigen in the animal, i.e. including both the vaccine and the challenge organisms, at a critical time after challenge.
Observer-based fault detection for a class of continuous-time nonlinear networked control systems subject to time-delays

The problem of fault detection for a class of continuous-time nonlinear networked control systems subject to delays induced by the networks from the sensor to controller and from controller to actuator is concerned in this paper. An observer-based fault detection filter is designed. A sufficient condition is also derived which makes the closed-loop system asymptotically stable in terms of linear matrix inequalities. In addition, the scheme of fault detection is obtained by using the residual. When fault occurs, the residual will exceed the threshold, and the fault can be detected. Finally, one example is included to show the efficiency of the proposed method.
The function of a ribosomal frameshifting signal from human immunodeficiency virus‐1 in Escherichia coli

A 15‐17 nucleotide sequence from the gag‐pol ribosome frameshift site of HIV‐1 directs analogous ribosomal frameshifting in Escherichia coli. Limitation for leucine, which is encoded precisely at the frameshift site, dramatically increased the frequency of leftward frameshifting. Limitation for phenylaianine or arginine, which are encoded just before and just after the frameshift, did not significantly affect frameshifting. Protein sequence analysis demonstrated the occurrence of two closeiy related frameshift mechanisms. In the first, ribosomes appear to bind leucyl‐tRNA at the frameshift site and then slip leftward. This is the 'simultaneous slippage’mechanism. In the second, ribosomes appear to slip before binding amlnoacyl‐tRNA, and then bind phenylaianyl‐tRNA, which is encoded in the left‐shifted reading frame. This mechanism is identicai to the‘overlapping reading’we have demonstrated at other bacterial frameshift sites. The HIV‐1 sequence is prone to frame‐shifting by both mechanisms in E. coli.
Output feedback global tracking control of robot manipulators

The contribution of this paper is a dynamic position feedback global tracking controller for fully-actuated robot manipulators. The properties we show for the closed loop system are uniform stability and uniform exponential convergence, global in the initial tracking errors and semiglobal in the initial estimation errors. The novelty of our approach is that our observer and control design are based on a new model. We also provide some simulation results. The original tools for stability and stabilisation that we present are a new dynamic model for manipulators and a lemma for uniform convergence of the output of nonlinear systems.
[Acne flare-up and deterioration with oral isotretinoin].

BACKGROUND Isotretinoin treatment for acne can lead to inflammatory flare-ups or an aggravation, occasionally leading to acne fulminans. The purpose of this work was to examine our cases and to propose a classification system for management. PATIENTS AND METHODS Over a 3-year period, we selected patients referred to our dermatology unit for paradoxical aggravation of acne under isotretinoin treatment. We recorded clinical data, drug prescriptions and the course of the flare-up. RESULTS Over 3 years (1995-1998) we observed 32 cases of acne flare-up in patients taking isotretinoin, 6 women and 26 men. DISCUSSION Four types of aggravation could be identified depending on their date of onset, the skin signs, and the presence or not of general signs. Systemic corticosteroids are generally required, together with a lower daily dose of isotretinoin and local care (excision of open and closed comedons). Factors predictive of aggravation are young age, male sex and sebaceous retention. CONCLUSION Acne fuminans is exceptional in patients taking isotretinoin compared with the number of patients treated. Clinicians should nevertheless be aware of the risk in order to make the diagnosis and provide appropriate care.
Demanda por gastos públicos locais: evidências dos efeitos de ilusão fiscal no Brasil

In addition to the complexity and opacity of taxation, the strong reliance of Brazilian municipalities on federal and state transfers increases the chance of fiscal illusion. Under fiscal illusion, taxpayers tend to underestimate the costs of the goods and services provided by the government and, thus, to demand them in excess of what would be demanded in the absence of fiscal illusion. The purpose of this study is to estimate the effects of fiscal illusion on the demand for local public spending in Brazil. Based on a median voter model and using data from 2010 for 5249 municipalities, a demand function for local public goods that includes variables to capture fiscal illusion is estimated. The results indicate that fiscal illusion associated to the tax structure and to the fiscal transfers can help to understand the expansion of public spending in Brazil.