Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A generalized performance attribution technique for mutual funds

In this contribution we propose a model which can be used to define a measure of the relative performance of mutual funds that takes into account all the different aspects considered by the traditional performance indexes. In addition, the model proposed can take into account also the subscription and redemption costs. This model adopts a data envelopment analysis approach. In particular, among the inputs considered by the model we have different risk measures of the portfolio and the subscription costs and redemption fees. The set of outputs taken into account comprise the portfolio expected return, the traditional performance indexes and a stochastic dominance indicator. An average cross efficiency measure is also suggested, in order to give a measure of the rating of a fund from the point of view of the styles of all the funds under consideration. The generalized performance attribution techniques proposed are tested using data of the Italian mutual funds market.
The Effects of Unheated Sections on Mositure Transport in the Emplacement Drift

A thermal-hydrologic natural-ventilation model is configured for simulating temperature, humidity, and condensate distributions in the coupled domains of the in-drift airspace and the near-field rockmass. Meaningful results are obtained from the model for a practical application in which the beneficial effects of unheated drift sections are analyzed. Sensitivity to the axial dispersion coefficient is also studied with the model.
Mechanisms and Patterns of Axonal Loss in Multiple Sclerosis

After a variable or silent initial course, MS patients often enter a progressive neurological decline leading to permanent clinical disability. Axonal loss is considered the major factor behind this process. Elucidating the etiology and pathogenesis of this phenomenon is critical to developing treatments for progressive MS. Here we discuss pathologic presentation of axonal loss in MS, patterns of axonal loss at certain disease stages, and evidence that axonal loss in MS progresses independently of clinical relapses but coincides strongly with inflammation. Mechanisms behind axonal loss in MS include T cell attack, reactive nitrogen species-induced damage, loss of myelin (demyelination), and loss of trophic support from oligodendrocytes. Also, we will review animal models of neurodegeneration that share similar disease features with MS axonopathy. Finally, we will consider the progress of therapeutic strategies aimed at axonal preservation in MS including remyelination enhancement, blockage of Na+ channels and prevention of free radical formation.
Characterization ofJatropha curcasL. Protein Cast Films with respect to Packaging Relevant Properties

There is increasing research ongoing towards the substitution of petrochemical based plastics by more sustainable raw materials, especially in the field of bioplastics. Proteins of different types such as whey, casein, gelatine, or zein show potential beyond the food and feed industry as, for instance, the application in packaging. Protein based coatings provide different packaging relevant properties such as barrier against permanent gases, certain water vapour barrier, and mechanical resistance. The aim of this study was to explore the potential for packaging applications of proteins from Jatropha curcas L. and to compare the performance with literature data on cast films from whey protein isolate. As a by-product from oil extraction, high amounts of Jatropha meal are obtained requiring a concept for its sustainable utilization. Jatropha seed cake includes up to 40% (w/w) of protein which is currently not utilized. The present study provides new data on the potential of Jatropha protein for packaging applications. It was shown that Jatropha protein cast films show suitable barrier and mechanical properties depending on the extraction and purification method as well as on the plasticiser content. Based on these findings Jatropha proteins own potential to be utilized as coating material for food packaging applications.
Nonasymptotic upper bounds for the reconstruction error of PCA

We analyse the reconstruction error of principal component analysis (PCA) and prove non-asymptotic upper bounds for the corresponding excess risk. These bounds unify and improve existing upper bounds from the literature. In particular, they give oracle inequalities under relative eigenvalue conditions. The bounds reveal that the excess risk differs considerably from usually considered subspace distances based on canonical angles. Our approach relies on the analysis of empirical spectral projectors combined with concentration inequalities for weighted empirical covariance operators and empirical eigenvalues.
Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Invade San Salvador, Bahamas: No Early Effects on Coral and Fish Communities

Biological invaders are a leading contributor to global losses of biodiversity. A recent invader to the waters surrounding San Salvador, Bahamas, the red lionfish, Pterois volitans, was first reported in 2006; by 2009 they were common in waters 2-40 m deep around the island. Our study collected data on coral communities and fish assemblages at three patch reef complexes (Rice Bay, Rocky Point, Lindsay Reef) in 2007, during the initial phase of the invasion, and compared the results to a nearly identical study done in 2001 before P. volitans colonized San Salvador. Prey selection and quantity of consumption by P. volitans were also examined. Coral and fish species richness, diversity, percent cover (corals) and abundance (fish) were similar in 2001 and 2007. Of the 5,078 fish recorded during our study on shallow patch reefs, only two were P. volitans, but they were more prevalent in deeper water along San Salvador’s “wall. ” Captured P. volitans ranged in size from 19-32 cm, all longer than maturity length. Pallid goby (Coryphopterus eidolon), black cap basslet (Gramma melacara) and red night shrimp (Rynchocienetes rigens) were the most commonly identified stomach contents. The effects of the successful invasion and increasing population of P. volitans on San Salvador’s reef ecosystem are uncertain at this time; future monitoring of potential changes in coral and fish communities on the patch reefs of San Salvador is recommended to determine if population control measures need to be considered. Initial post-invasion data (2007), along with pre-invasion data (2001), are valuable benchmarks for future studies.
Analysis of variability and diversity in rice fallow blackgram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper].

Seventy four diverse genotypes of blackgram were studied under rice fallow condition for yield and its component traits. High genotypic variability was observed for branches per plant, clusters per plant, pods per plant, biological yield and seed yield along with high heritability and genetic advance, suggesting effective improvement of these characters through a simple selection programme. The genotypes were grouped into five clusters by Mahalanobis' D2 analysis. Rice fallow cultivation restricted the fullest expression of genetic diversity among the genotypes. Based on cluster mean values, the genotypes, OBG 4 and KKB 98001 were identified as the suitable parents for hybridization programme. The characters, pods per plant, 100 seed weight and biological yield contributed more for genetic divergence.
Preclinical Evaluation of Serine/Threonine Kinase Inhibitors Against Prostate Cancer Metastases

Abstract : A central tenet of the field of bone metastases is that the bone microenvironment supplies factors, such as TGF-beta, stimulating prostate cancer cell signaling and altering their phenotype. TGF-beta signaling in cancer is however complex and can lead to the activation of numerous genes. We have identified many of these genes by microarray analysis and have validated the gene reported here. Of these, PMEPA1 as the most highly upregulated gene. We have cloned the PMEPA1 promoter and full-length gene and have begun promoter analysis of the TGFbetabetaresponse element. We are in the process of overexpressing PMEPA1 in prostate cancer lines. In vivo experiments are in progress to determine the effect of a TGFbeta RI kinase inhibitor, SD-208, on the development and progression of prostate cancer metastases to bone due to PC-3, LuCAP and C42B prostate cancers.
DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF GRADIENT ELASTIC BEAMS BY FINITE ELEMENTS

The dynamic stiffness matrix of a gradient elastic flexural BernoulliEuler beam finite element is analytically constructed with the aid of the basic and governing equations of motion in the frequency domain. The flexural element has one node at every end with three degrees of freedom per node, i.e., the displacement, the slope and the curvature. Use of this dynamic stiffness matrix for a plane system of beams enables one through a finite element analysis to determine its dynamic response to harmonically varying with time external load or the natural frequencies and modal shapes of that system. The response to transient loading is obtained with the aid of Laplace transform with respect to time and the numerical inversion of the transformed solution. Because the exact solution of the governing equation of motion in the frequency domain is used as the displacement function, the resulting dynamic stiffness matrices and the obtained structural responses or natural frequencies and modal shapes are also exact. Two examples are presented to illustrate the method.
Physiological responses of matrinxã (Brycon amazonicus) fed different levels of vitamin C and submitted to air exposure

The role of vitamin C on physiological responses of matrinxa (Brycon amazonicus) submitted to air exposure was analyzed. Nine hundred fish (70.15 g) were distributed in fifteen 500 l boxes (60 fish.box-1) and fed five rations (treatments): Control (no vitamin C); T100 (100 mg); T200 (200 mg); T400 (400 mg) and T800 (800 mg of vitamin C kg.ration-1). Each ration was offered to fish of three boxes during 60 days before the stress challenge that consisted of exposing fish to air for two minutes. Samplings were carried out for 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after the air exposure. Blood was collected for glucose, cortisol, total protein, sodium, chloride, hematocrit, hemoglobin determination, and white and red cell count. Liver was removed for hepatosomatic index (HSI) calculation and glycogen determination. Vitamin C did not affect the levels of cortisol, chloride, total protein, hemoglobin, leukocytes, hepatic glycogen or HSI in air exposed fish. Blood glucose levels elevation observed 60 minutes after the challenge did not depend on the levels of vitamin C, nor did the drop in serum sodium levels verified 60 minutes after stressor. In general, hematocrit did not change by effect of vitamin C but it was lower at 15 and 30 minutes after the challenge. The number of erythrocytes decreased in fish after 5 minute sampling in all treatments, especially at 30 and 60 minutes. The air exposure evoked alterations in stress indicators of matrinxa, and the vitamin C did not alter the responses.
High-resolution measurements of elemental mercury in surface water for an improved quantitative understanding of the Baltic Sea as a source of atmospheric mercury

Abstract. Marginal seas are directly subjected to anthropogenic and natural influences from land in addition to receiving inputs from the atmosphere and open ocean. Together these lead to pronounced gradients and strong dynamic changes. However, in the case of mercury emissions from these seas, estimates often fail to adequately account for the spatial and temporal variability of the elemental mercury concentration in surface water (Hg0wat). In this study, a method to measure Hg0wat at high resolution was devised and subsequently validated. The better-resolved Hg0wat dataset, consisting of about one measurement per nautical mile, yielded insight into the sea's small-scale variability and thus improved the quantification of the sea's Hg0 emission. This is important because global marine Hg0 emissions constitute a major source of atmospheric mercury. Research campaigns in the Baltic Sea were carried out between 2011 and 2015 during which Hg0 both in surface water and in ambient air were measured. For the former, two types of equilibrators were used. A membrane equilibrator enabled continuous equilibration and a bottle equilibrator assured that equilibrium was reached for validation. The measurements were combined with data obtained in the Baltic Sea in 2006 from a bottle equilibrator only. The Hg0 sea–air flux was newly calculated with the combined dataset based on current knowledge of the Hg0 Schmidt number, Henry's law constant, and a widely used gas exchange transfer velocity parameterization. By using a newly developed pump–CTD with increased pumping capability in the Hg0 equilibrator measurements, Hg0wat could also be characterized in deeper water layers. A process study carried out near the Swedish island Oland in August 2015 showed that the upwelling of Hg0-depleted water contributed to Hg0 emissions of the Baltic Sea. However, a delay of a few days after contact between the upwelled water and light was apparently necessary before the biotic and abiotic transformations of ionic to volatile Hg0 produced a distinct sea–air Hg0 concentration gradient. This study clearly showed spatial, seasonal, and interannual variability in the Hg0 sea–air flux of the Baltic Sea. The average annual Hg0 emission was 0.90 ± 0.18 Mg for the Baltic proper and extrapolated to 1.73 ± 0.32 Mg for the entire Baltic Sea, which is about half the amount entrained by atmospheric deposition. A comparison of our results with the Hg0 sea–air fluxes determined in the Mediterranean Sea and in marginal seas in East Asia were to some extent similar but they partly differed in terms of the deviations in the amount and seasonality of the flux.
Post-Socialist Restructuring and Population Redistribution in Hungary*

This research focuses on pathways by which national level macro-social transformations are transmitted to local communities. Our case is Hungary where we examine the relationship between post-socialist economic restructuring, widespread industrial dislocations, and urban-rural migration. Using secondary data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) and survey data from a study of 49 villages in 4 distinct rural regions, we demonstrate that post-socialist population deconcentration involved both suburbanization and net movement to villages, especially villages that are located relatively close to cities. Contrary to our expectations, movement to villages was from nearby settlements, not from large industrial centers. Moreover, migrants to villages were substantially better off than longer term village residents in terms of their human capital and attachment to the labor force. Consequently, post-socialist population deconcentration is not contributing to rural poverty as feared by some scholars.
The Domestic Violence Protection Order System as Entry to the Criminal Justice System for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

The domestic violence protection order (DVO) system is a hybrid system of criminalisation in which the DVO itself is a civil order, but any contravention of that order may result in a criminal charge. Limited attention has been paid to the potential consequences of criminalisation through the hybrid DVO system in the Australian context. We use Queensland as a case study and examine administrative data gathered through Queensland Courts. We show that a disproportionate number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people are named on DVOs, charged with contraventions of DVOs and significantly more likely than non-Indigenous people to receive a sentence of imprisonment for a contravention of a DVO, compared to non-Indigenous people. We find that ATSI women are particularly overrepresented in this system. We review explanations for these startling figures and emphasize the need for a change in approach.
Seasonal variation in coyote feeding behaviour and mortality of white-tailed deer and mule deer

Young ungulates are considered especially susceptible to predation in the initial weeks following birth. How - ever, the timing of mortality can vary depending on the availability of alternative prey and the type of predator, and could vary depending on antipredator defenses used by prey. I used coyote (Canis latrans) scats, observations of coyote hunting behaviour, and mortality data for deer to examine seasonal variation in coyote feeding behaviour and mortality of sympatric white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) fawns. Coyotes captured the vast majority of deer they consumed, forming groups that hunted deer from June through March. Coyotes were observed hunting deer most often in winter when ground squirrels were not available, and an inverse correlation between the amount of deer and ground squirrel in coyote scat reflected this relationship ( rs = 0.77, P = 0.004). Fawns of both species had poor survival rates in 1994 (1 of 10 tagged whitetails survived to 1 year, none of 22 mule deer survived), improved survival rates in 1995 (33% of 15 whitetails, 25% of 24 mule deer), and most mortality appeared to be due to coyote predation. The season in which fawns of each species were most vulnerable differed. Tagged whitetail fawns had similar mortality rates in early summer, when they were less than 8 weeks old, as they did in win- ter, when they were 5-9 months old (35 and 37%, respectively, in 1995). In contrast, mule deer fawns had low mortal- ity rates in early summer (4% in 1994, 17% in 1995), but high mortality rates in winter (100% in 1994, 53% in 1995). Changes in fawn:doe ratios and the examination of carcasses similarly indicated that coyotes captured more whitetails in summer and more mule deer in winter. The seasonal variation in mortality rates of the two species cannot be explained by physical prey characteristics, their relative abundance, or extrinsic factors, and may be due instead to spe- cies differences in antipredator behaviour.
Serological Markers and/or Intestinal Biopsies in the Case-finding of Celiac Disease

The new 2012 ESPGHAN guidelines for the pediatric diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) unraveled and stimulated an old/new discussion on the most efficient case- finding in pediatric CD. The fine balance between reliable serological markers and the gold diagnostic standard of small bowel histology is somewhat better understood. Due to a low diagnostic rate, changes in phenotype, increased incidence, epidemiological shifts, importance of early implementation of gluten free diet to prevent complications, the case-finding of CD should be improved. Our adult gastrointestinal colleagues did not adopt ESPGHAN diagnostic criteria and within the pediatric gastroenterology community, controversies exist. The present editorial on pediatric CD complements an adult CD one. It expands on the drawbacks, limitations and criticisms of the guidelines and calls for prudency, further research and follow-up studies. Until recent observations are implemented in the future guidelines, small bowel histology should remain the gold standard for case-finding in CD.
Varietal differences in canola (Brassica napus L.) for the growth, yield and yield components exposed to cadmium stress.

Cadmium is highly toxic metallic pollutant which adversely affects the plant growth . A green house experiment was conducted t o study the variation in growth , yield and yield component of canola (Brassica napusL.) varieties namely Waster, Abasin-95, Rainbow and Shiralee at the three plant growth stages, treated with 0, 6, 9 and 12 mg Cd kg -1 soil.
Paired teaching for faculty professional development in teaching

Paired (or co-)teaching is an arrangement in which two faculty are collaboratively responsible for all aspects of teaching a course. By pairing an instructor experienced in research-based instructional strategies (RBIS) with an instructor with little or no experience in RBIS, paired teaching can be used to promote the adoption of RBIS. Using data from post-course interviews with the novice instructors of four such arrangements, we seek to describe factors that make for effective professional development in teaching via paired teaching. We suggest that the novice instructor's approach to the paired teaching and their previous teaching experience are two aspects which mediate their learning about teaching. Additionally, the structure of the pair-taught course and the sequence of teaching assignments for the novice both likely play roles in lowering the barrier to novice instructors adopting RBIS. We discuss these results within the framework of cognitive apprenticeship.
Chromosomal Dynamics in Cercopithecini Studied by Williams-Beuren probe mapping

Abstract Chromosomal evolution in the tribe Cercopithecini and in related taxa is highly debated. Uncertainty in reconstruction is mainly related to the great genetic variability and polymorphism of the taxa. Recent molecular and karyological efforts individuate a split between genetically conservative, arbitrarily defined, “terrestrial” guenons and vervets, and genetically variable and derived “arboreal” guenons. We performed the mapping of WS loci probe (7q11.23) in order to verify the chromosomal dynamics of the genomes of three tree-dwelling species of the tribe: C. neglectus, C. mitis mitis, C. albogularis labiatus. Data from literature for the “ground-dwelling” Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus has been compared with our results. The distribution of the WS probe showed a high genomic dynamics in the different species, with three different pattern of rearrangements. Starting from the ancestral synteny 7 found in Pongo pygmaeus (PPY), the present mapping demonstrates different location of the hybridizations signals. A parsimonious interpretation lead to the hypothesis that a pericentric inversion transformed the PPY orthologous in C. neglectus. The C. mitis and the strictly related C. a. labiatus demonstrate more complex, and derivative, rearrangements. According to the position of the WS signal, and to banding pattern analysis, C. mitis and C. albogoularis, underwent to the pericentric inversion, followed by a paracentric inversion and a successive interstitial fission that fragmented the synteny. Starting from the PPY like orthologous a single and independent event, a centric fission, that did not affect the WS position, occurred in Ch. aethiops producing a Gorilla gorilla like chromosome. Our results confirm the hypothesis that chromosomal dynamics in Cercopithecini proceed by fissions and inversions and indicate the usefulness of the locus specific mapping approach for the identification of intrachromosome rearrangements.
Questionnaire Design to Determine Children's Thermal Sensation, Preference and Acceptability in the Classroom

School buildings integrate three significant aspects of sustainability research - building performance, energy consumption and indoor environmental quality. However, the specific role of thermal comfort is less well understood. Thermal comfort studies have largely concentrated on adults, and typically compare measurement of physical environmental factors with qualitative assessments to ascertain the relationships between thermal sensation, comfort, preference and acceptability. Subjective rating scales are used to express the perceived level of warmth of an indoor environment and provide statistical approximations of the actual mean vote of the occupants and their thermal preferences. The ASHRAE 7-point scale has traditionally been employed to measure occupants' thermal sensation followed by the 3-point McIntyre preference scale. This paper presents techniques of questionnaire design for children aged between 11 and 12, and discusses appropriate rating scales to explore students' thermal perceptions of the classroom. Both the format and the content of the questionnaire must reflect the children's developmental and psychological status and must be readily understood by the target age group. The paper illustrates the outcomes of a pilot study conducted to test the effectiveness of a thermal comfort questionnaire specifically designed for children.