Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CEO Power, Corporate Risk-Taking, and the Role of Institutional Owners: Pieces of Evidence of Tehran Stock Exchange Market and Iran Fara Bourse

Corporate governance" includes mechanisms to monitor CEO's performance to assure efficient decision adoption and maximize firm value. One of the most effective aspects of firm performance is the degree of risk-taking. This study investigates the relationship between CEO power and institutional ownership with risk-taking behavior of member firms of Tehran Stock Exchange and Iran Fara Bourse during 2010-2019 by utilizing quintile regression. According to 118 Iranian Journal of Finance, 2021, Vol. 6, No. 1 (Bigdlo, J.) the results, by the increase of CEO's power and the company's benefit from powerful managers, the company risk (total risk and systemic risk) will decrease. As a result, managers are eager to safeguard their reputation as expert decision-makers and, as a result, they try to reduce company risk. In addition, the existence of institutional ownership among the shareholders of the company will reduce the risk, which can be referred to in the agency theory. Also, if the impact of these two variables is considered together, the risk will increase significantly. This very fact reflects the exercise of the power and influence of institutional owners. As a result, large shareholders have a supervisory role in the discipline of managers, but despite their impact on the relationship between managers' power and corporate risk, they do not alter the main negative relationship. JEL Classification: G10, G30, G32, G34
Quantitative Assessment of Sensory Integration and Balance in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Cross-Sectional Study

Postural stability is dependent on the interpretation of external inputs acquired by sensory information processes, such as visual, vestibular, and proprioceptive systems, in order to accomplish neuromuscular control, balance maintenance, and appropriate motor response. A defect in any of these systems, or in the integration of information given by these systems, might threaten their capacity to maintain balance. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the sensory integration and balance using the Biodex balance system (BBS) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the static posture. Seventy-four children from both sexes, 38 with ASD matched with 36 typically developed (TD) children as a control group, were included in the study. Using the Biodex balance system, the postural sway was evaluated through the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Integration and Balance (m-CTSIB) during quiet standing. In this test, four different situations were considered from standing position: eyes open/firm surface, eyes closed/firm surface, eyes open/foam surface, and eyes closed/foam surface. ASD children showed a significant increase in postural sway under all tested conditions when compared to the TD children group, especially for the conditions in which visual and somatosensory inputs were disrupted (p-value < 0.05). These results provide evidence that postural stability decreased in ASD children. Under static postural challenges, the current study’s findings imply that children diagnosed with ASD have postural control deficiencies, especially for the conditions in which visual and somatosensory input was disrupted. Further research must be conducted to find the best balance training program for ASD cases using the Biodex balance system and considering its impact on motor skills.
Effects of Lysine N-ζ-Methylation in Ultrashort Tetrabasic Lipopeptides (UTBLPs) on the Potentiation of Rifampicin, Novobiocin, and Niclosamide in Gram-Negative Bacteria

Outer membrane (OM) drug impermeability typically associated with a molecular weight above 600 Da and high hydrophobicity prevents accumulation of many antibiotics in Gram-negative bacteria (GNB). Previous studies have shown that ultrashort tetrabasic lipopeptides (UTBLPs) containing multiple lysine residues potentiate Gram-positive bacteria (GPB)-selective antibiotics in GNB by enhancing OM permeability. However, there is no available information on how N-substitution at the ζ-position of lysine in UTBLPs affects antibiotic potentiation in GNB. To study these effects, we prepared a series of branched and linear UTBLPs that differ in the degree of N-ζ-methylation and studied their potentiating effects with GPB-selective antibiotics including rifampicin, novobiocin, niclosamide, and chloramphenicol against wild-type and multidrug-resistant GNB isolates. Our results show that increasing N-ζ-methylation reduces or abolishes the potentiating effects of UTBLPs with rifampicin, novobiocin, and niclosamide against GNB. No trend was observed with chloramphenicol that is largely affected by efflux. We were unable to observe a correlation between the strength of the antibiotic potentiating effect to the increase in fluorescence in the 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN) OM permeability assay suggesting that other factors besides OM permeability of NPN play a role in antibiotic potentiation. In conclusion, our study has elucidated crucial structure–activity relationships for the optimization of polybasic antibiotic potentiators in GNB.
Generation of Realistic Synthetic Financial Time-series

Financial markets have always been a point of interest for automated systems. Due to their complex nature, financial algorithms and fintech frameworks require vast amounts of data to accurately respond to market fluctuations. This data availability is tied to the daily market evolution, so it is impossible to accelerate its acquisition. In this article, we discuss several solutions for augmenting financial datasets via synthesizing realistic time-series with the help of generative models. This problem is complex, since financial time series present very specific properties, e.g., fat-tail distribution, cross-correlation between different stocks, specific autocorrelation, cluster volatility and so on. In particular, we propose solutions for capturing cross-correlations between different stocks and for transitioning from fixed to variable length time-series without resorting to sequence modeling networks, and adapt various network architectures, e.g., fully connected and convolutional GANs, variational autoencoders, and generative moment matching networks. Finally, we tackle the problem of evaluating the quality of synthetic financial time-series. We introduce qualitative and quantitative metrics, along with a portfolio trend prediction framework that validates our generative models’ performance. We carry out experiments on real-world financial data extracted from the US stock market, proving the benefits of these techniques.
Accelerating Transform Algorithm Implementation for Efficient Intra Coding of 8K UHD Videos

Real-time ultra-high-definition (UHD) video applications have attracted much attention, where the encoder side urgently demands the high-throughput two-dimensional (2D) transform hardware implementation for the latest video coding standards. This article proposes an effective acceleration method for transform algorithm in UHD intra coding based on the third generation of audio video coding standard (AVS3). First, by conducting detailed statistical analysis, we devise an efficient hardware-friendly transform algorithm that can reduce running cycles and resource consumption remarkably. Second, to implement multiplierless computation for saving resources and power, a series of shift-and-add unit (SAU) hardwares are investigated to have much less adoptions of shifters and adders than the existing methods. Third, different types of hardware acceleration methods, including calculation pipelining, logical-loop unrolling, and module-level parallelism, are designed to efficaciously support the data-intensive high frame-rate 8K UHD video coding. Finally, due to the scarcity of 8K video sources, we also provide a new dataset for the performance verification. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed method can effectively fulfill the real-time 8K intra encoding at beyond 60 fps, with very negligible loss on rate-distortion (R-D) performance, which is averagely 0.98% Bjontegaard-Delta Bit-Rate (BD-BR).
SMAD1 Loss-of-Function Variant Responsible for Congenital Heart Disease

As the most common form of developmental malformation affecting the heart and endothoracic great vessels, congenital heart disease (CHD) confers substantial morbidity and mortality as well as socioeconomic burden on humans globally. Aggregating convincing evidence highlights the genetic origin of CHD, and damaging variations in over 100 genes have been implicated with CHD. Nevertheless, the genetic basis underpinning CHD remains largely elusive. In this study, via whole-exosome sequencing analysis of a four-generation family inflicted with autosomal-dominant CHD, a heterozygous SMAD1 variation, NM_005900. 3: c.264C > A; p.(Tyr88∗), was detected and validated by Sanger sequencing analysis to be in cosegregation with CHD in the whole family. The truncating variation was not observed in 362 unrelated healthy volunteers employed as control persons. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay in cultured COS7 cells demonstrated that Tyr88∗-mutant SMAD1 failed to transactivate the genes TBX20 and NKX2.5, two already well-established CHD-causative genes. Additionally, the variation nullified the synergistic transcriptional activation between SMAD1 and MYOCD, another recognized CHD-causative gene. These data indicate SMAD1 as a new gene responsible for CHD, which provides new insight into the genetic mechanism underlying CHD, suggesting certain significance for genetic risk assessment and precise antenatal prevention of the family members inflicted with CHD.
EFFECT OF HEAT PRETREATMENTS ON CHEMICAL AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF MELON MANIS TERENGGANU (Cucumis melo var. Inodorus cv. Manis Terengganu 1) SEED OIL

The main objective of this study was to determine effect of different heat pretreatments on chemical and antioxidant properties of Melon Manis Terengganu (MMT) seed oil. The seeds were treated with four different heat pretreatment which were untreated (control), roasting, steaming and microwaving. Then the MMT seed oil was extracted from each treated seed using conventional extraction method. The chemical tests determined on the MMT seed oil were free fatty acid (FFA), iodine value (IV), saponification value and fatty acid composition. The antioxidant properties for MMT seed oil evaluated was total phenolic content (TPC), 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhdrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). It was found that different heat pretreatments of MMT seed significantly (p<0.05) affected the oil yield (11.10–15.40%.), free fatty acid value (3.55–5.04%), DPPH radical scavenging activity (43.06–56.08%), total phenolic content (0.088–0.142 mg GAE/g) and FRAP activity (0.0723–0.110 mmole/100 mL). However, the seed heat pretreatment did not affect the fatty acid composition significantly (p<0.05). As for iodine value, it was different between untreated seed (107.89 g I2/100g) and steamed seed (104.41 g I2/100g) only (p<0.05).
Numerical investigations of hydrodynamic performance of hydrofoils with leading-edge protuberances

Leading-edge protuberances on airfoils or hydrofoils have been considered as a viable passive method for flow separation control recently. In this article, the hydrodynamic performance of a NACA 634-021 (baseline) foil and two modified foils with leading-edge protuberances was numerically investigated using the Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model. It was found that modified foils performed worse than the baseline foil at pre-stall angles, while the lift coefficients at high angles of attack of the modified foils were increased. Both the deterioration of pre-stall and the improvement of post-stall performance were enhanced with larger amplitude of protuberance. Near-wall flow visualizations showed that the leading-edge protuberances worked in pairs at high angles of attack, producing different forms of streamwise vortices. An attached flow along some valley sections was observed, leading to a higher local lift coefficient at post-stall angles. The leading-edge protuberances were considered as sharing a similar mechanism as delta wings, increasing nonlinear lift at large angles of attack. The specific stall characteristics of this leading-edge modification could provide some guidelines for the design of some special hydrofoils or airfoils.
The Length-Weight Characteristics of Five Elasmobranch Species (Pisces: Chondrichthyes) from Izmir Bay (Aegean Sea Coast of Turkey): Spring 2018

In this study, a total of 364 samples were collected and 349 of them belonged to, 349 specimens of Dasyatis pastinaca, 6 of Gymnura altavela, 5 of Torpedo marmorato, 2 of Aetomylaeus bovinus and Mustelus mustelus, were obtained by-catch in trammel nets off the Izmir Bay (Aegean sea coast of Turkey) during period of spring in 2018. Males of D. pastinaca ranged from 28–62 cm and females from 31.5-94 cm total length. The analysis of the angular coefficient (b) demonstrated that growth (in weight) in relation to length was isometric in males and females of D. pastinaca. Morphologic measurements of a total of 60 individuals to represent all individuals of the population, t test in independent groups to determine differences in males and females and all other morphometric measurements were statistically tested by multiple regression analysis (stepwise method). Therefore, difference between mean values obtained according to sexes was not found different. However, A linear correlation between weight- pelvic length for females and weight- preanal length for males according to multiple regression analysis in male and female individuals. Isometric and positive allometric growths were calculated for species of Torpedo marmorata and Gymnura altavela, respectively.
Clinical Prediction of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) via Anthropometric and Biochemical Variations in Prakriti

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a complicated multifactorial illness involving hereditary and external environmental variables. The symptoms typically appear gradually over a number of years without realizing it. This viewpoint is further supported by the Ayurvedic constitution concept (Prakriti). Prakriti explains the biological variability that is observed in different individuals. This study was conducted a retrospective investigation to examine if there was a link between type 2 diabetes and an individual’s constitution based on anthropometric and biochemical characteristics. Physical and mental characteristics and anthropometric and biochemical markers were used to determine reported cases’ prevailing Dosha Prakriti (constitution). Based on biochemical and anthropometric data, significant differences in Prakriti were found between the case (T2DM patients) and control (person without diabetes) groups. The incidence of numerous secondary problems linked with T2DM patients was also evaluated according to their Prakriti types, which revealed a positive relationship. The three primary contributing parameters, such as waist-hip ratio, postprandial blood sugar, and serum creatinine, were correctly classified all person with or without diabetes subjects to 90.6% of the time, whereas the constitution-wise study classified person with diabetes and without diabetes individuals of Pitta and Kapha Prakriti to 94.3% and 90%, respectively. A discriminant function was created to predict a person with diabetes and without diabetes based on these three contributing factors. The primary contributing biochemical parameters discovered by Prakriti in the current study could be used as a biochemical disease diagnostic for predicting type 2 diabetes susceptibility.
Affect and alcohol consumption: An ecological momentary assessment study during national lockdown.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related lockdown provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between affect and alcohol consumption in a historically unique context. To shed light on mixed findings regarding the interplay between affective states and alcohol consumption, the present study examined how affective states and affect fluctuations impact drinking during confinement of people to their homes. It also examined the extent to which the social context moderated the affect-consumption relationship. Having preregistered study protocols, methods, and hypotheses, 87 U.K. participants (34% male, Mage = 29.33) used their smartphones to respond to thrice daily prompts, recording their affective states, alcohol consumption, and social context over 1 week. Multilevel modeling suggested that being with someone (vs. alone) was associated with increased alcohol consumption. Increased drinking on the previous day was associated with increased next day negative affect, and the number of household occupants was associated with decreased negative affect. Preconsumption affect was not associated with subsequent drinking. These findings point to a complex relationship between alcohol consumption, social context, and negative affect. The opportunity to interact with others during lockdown was generally associated with decreased negative affect in the moment. However, the presence of others was associated with increased consumption which, in turn, predicted elevated next-day negative affect. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
Influence of tea-Pleurotus ostreatus intercropping on soil fungal diversity and community structure

Abstract: Understanding the relationship between soil fungal communities and soil function is vital to establish a sustainable and ecologically friendly tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivation. However, there is limited research on the response of soil fungal communities to tea-fungus intercropping, particularly how it is related to soil biodiversity and fertility. Here, we assessed and compared the fungal communities using a metabarcoding technique, soil properties in three plantations (1, 2, and 5 yr of tea-Pleurotus intercropping plantations), and a 5 yr chemically fertilized monoculture plantation. We obtained a total of 3493 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) from four tea plantations. Five hundred and ninety-three fungal OTUs are shared by all plantations, and the other 471 fungal OTUs are shared by three plantations. The largest number of OTUs was recorded in 5 yr tea-Pleurotus intercropped plantations (N = 2040), followed by 2 yr (N = 2024) and then 1 yr (N = 1471), while the chemically fertilized plantation recorded 1823 OTUs. Tea-Pleurotus intercropping showed a significant effect on the increased diversity of soil fungal diversity compared with the monoculture tea cultivations. Fungal groups Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mortierellomycota were the most abundant taxonomic groups recorded in all soil samples. Principal coordinate analysis revealed that fungal community composition in tea-Pleurotus intercropped plantations and monoculture tea plantations was significantly different. Besides, redundancy analysis revealed that soil nutrients significantly influence soil fungal community composition. Our results demonstrate that tea-Pleurotus intercropping may offer long-term benefits to soil biodiversity and sustainable benefits in the tea plantations.
DETECTION OF QUANTITATIVE LOCI CORRELATION WITH GROWTH TRAITES IN LOCAL QUAIL USING PCR- RFLP TECHNIQUE

The objective of this study was to investigate the polymorphisms of three loci (SEMA3E, GH and TLX) that related with growth traits in local quail. A total of 720 birds (males and females) from three lines (desert, brown and white) were used. The results revealed that the effects of the line were significant on bird body weight and carcass weight and dressing percentage at 180 days at age. The Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) value overall birds for body weight was ranged from -9.2173 to 10.0117, these results showed there were significant differences among high and low BLUP value groups in three quail lines under study. The PCR-RFLP results overall three lines showed that there were three, three and two alleles for SEMA3E, TLX and GH locus, respectively. This alleles gives twelve differences genotypes, the desert male quail with ACABAA genotype and desert female quail with AAABAA genotype (high group) for three loci under study give significantly higher body and carcass weight compared with another groups. In conclusion results showed that there are agreements between BLUP values with PCR-RFLP results to select best birds and the selection process with molecular technique can play a major positive and rapid role to improve and increase growth traits in these lines of local quail in Iraqi Kurdistan region.
Terahertz Direct Detection Characteristics of a Superconducting NbN Bolometer

We report the terahertz direct detection characteristics of a spiral antenna coupled NbN superconducting hot-electron bolometer (HEB) at a bath temperature of 4.2K. Thermal conductance determined from resistance transition curves with different bias currents is found to be 3 x 10(-7) W/K. The device shows a read-out circuit limited noise equivalent power (NEP) of 4.5x10(-12) W/Hz(1/2) at 4.2K with a home-made transimpedance amplifier operating at room temperature.
Closed-form multi-dimensional solutions and asymptotic behaviours for subdiffusive processes with crossovers: II. Accelerating case

Anomalous diffusion with a power-law time dependence ⟨|R|2(t)⟩≃tαi of the mean squared displacement occurs quite ubiquitously in numerous complex systems. Often, this anomalous diffusion is characterised by crossovers between regimes with different anomalous diffusion exponents α i . Here we consider the case when such a crossover occurs from a first regime with α 1 to a second regime with α 2 such that α 2 > α 1, i.e., accelerating anomalous diffusion. A widely used framework to describe such crossovers in a one-dimensional setting is the bi-fractional diffusion equation of the so-called modified type, involving two time-fractional derivatives defined in the Riemann–Liouville sense. We here generalise this bi-fractional diffusion equation to higher dimensions and derive its multidimensional propagator (Green’s function) for the general case when also a space fractional derivative is present, taking into consideration long-ranged jumps (Lévy flights). We derive the asymptotic behaviours for this propagator in both the short- and long-time as well the short- and long-distance regimes. Finally, we also calculate the mean squared displacement, skewness and kurtosis in all dimensions, demonstrating that in the general case the non-Gaussian shape of the probability density function changes.
Prevalence and reasons for missed dental appointments among patients treated by undergraduate dental students of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia

Missed dental appointments drastically affect treatment proficiency and productivity of dental care facility. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and reasons for missed dental appointments among patients treated by clinical dental students of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM). A total of 202 folders from year 2018 to 2020 treated by year 3 to year 5 dental students were retrieved from a pool of patient’s record files using simple random sampling methods. Information on missed appointments was recorded. Other patients’ information was kept confidential. The percentage of missed dental appointments among patients under clinical dental students’ care was 37.1% (95% CI=30.7, 44.0). The majority of patients who missed dental appointments were male (37.6%), adults (38.7%) and employee (40.2%) patients. The most reported reason for the missed dental appointment was due to personal matters (36%) and the least was forgetfulness (0.6%) and miscommunication (0.6%). In conclusion, missed dental appointment commonly occurs among patients and frequently it was due to personal matters. A proper explanation by the students before scheduling an appointment is crucial to avoid any future missed dental appointments.