Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Persistent doubt: An examination of the performance of hedge funds

Forming top quintile portfolios on the Sharpe ratio, the alpha, the information ratio, the excess manipulation proof performance measure EMPPM and the doubt ratio; we find that these portfolios persistently outperform similarly constructed mediocre third quintile portfolios throughout the twelve year period from January 31, 2001 to December 31, 2012. However, performance is more modest and less persistent when forming portfolios on the EMPPM. It is clear than when selecting funds according to the ranking by the Sharpe and the information ratio, investors are also selecting funds that have suspicious returns. In contrast, portfolios formed on the alpha and especially the EMPPM has much less excess doubt that more rarely persist. JEL classification: G11, G12, G23, G24
The natriuresis of fasting: relationship to changes in plasma renin and plasma aldosterone concentrations.

1. The relationship of changes in plasma renin and plasma aldosterone concentration to electrolyte balance was studied during total fasting and during sodium deprivation followed by total fasting. 2. During simple sodium deprivation obese subjects lost significantly more sodium than lean subjects, but the rise in plasma renin concentration (PRC) was similar in the two groups. 3. During total fasting there was a failure of PRC to increase in the expected manner despite a marked negative sodium balance. In the early stages of the fast, PRC decreased in nine of eleven subjects while subsequently it increased in all subjects. 4. During sodium deprivation PRC and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) rose in all subjects studied, but in the first few days of a period of total fasting immediately following, there was a fall in PRC in eight of ten subjects studied, while PAC continued to rise in five of six subjects in whom it was measured. 5. These results are discussed in relation to the concept of the renin-angiotensin system as a regulator of aldosterone secretion.
Handling the limit of detection by extrapolation

A general method of estimation with a variable observed subject to a limit of detection is introduced. It is based on extrapolation of the estimates obtained by increasing the limit of detection. Theoretical arguments support the method in some special cases, and it is explored by simulations. Several examples are presented and adaptations for other kinds of censoring explored. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive hemagglutination technique for serotyping Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni on the basis of soluble heat-stable antigens

Antigenic materials were extracted from Campylobacter fetus subsp. jejuni strains by heating bacterial suspensions in saline at 100 degrees C and by exposure to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The antigens were heat stable at 100 degrees C, capable of sensitizing sheep erythrocytes for agglutination in antisera, and able to elicit production of specific antibody in rabbits; they occurred with different immunological specificities in 23 strains. Antisera against the 23 strains could be used for discriminating among isolates of the species when the passive hemagglutination technique was used for serotyping. Three serotypes were more common than others among a collection of human isolates.
Systems Change: A Review of Effective Practices.

This review of effective practices in state-wide systems change was conducted as part of the PEERS (Providing Education for Everyone in Regular Schools) Project, a 5-year collaborative systems change project in California to facilitate the integration of students with severe disabilities previously at special centers into services at regular school sites and to facilitate the integration of students in special classes in regular schools into general education. A "Systems Change Review Tool" was developed in cooperation with major systems change efforts in 16 states. Critical activity areas identified and verified by this measure constitute the main sections of the manual, addressing: (1) Facilitating Locally Owned Change (Ann Halvorsen); (2) Increasing Awareness and Knowledge of Best Practices (Ann Halvorsen); (3) Supporting the Implementation Effort (Morgan Alwell); (4) Promoting Collaboration (Morgan Awell); (5) Dissemination Activities (Morgen Alwell); and (6) Evaluation Change (Patricia Karasoff). Within each section, information is provided on: a rationale for the activity's inclusion in a comprehensive approach to systems change; a narrative describing relevant strategies with examples and case studies; and an annotated listing of selected strategies utilized across the states within each critical activity area. Appendices provide a directory of systems change projects, a list of products from system change projects, and sample systems change discrepancy analysis worksheets. (Contains 59 references.) (DB) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** SYSTEMS CHANGE: A REVIEW OF
Lipid X protects mice against fatal Escherichia coli infection

Lipid X, the major monosaccharide precursor of lipid A, is nontoxic and has previously been shown to protect mice and sheep from the harmful effects of endotoxin. To test the hypothesis that lipid X could be therapeutic against infections with gram-negative organisms, neutropenic ICR mice were infected by intramuscular inoculation of Escherichia coli and subsequently treated with lipid X alone or in combination with the antibiotic ticarcillin. Lipid X slightly prolonged survival; treated mice had a significantly improved rate of survival 18 h after intramuscular inoculation as compared with controls (P less than 0.025). By 24 h, however, this difference disappeared. When lipid X was combined with ticarcillin, survival differences were both significant and prolonged. Treatment of mice with one to two doses of lipid X for a total dose of 1 mg intravenously and with 1,200 mg of ticarcillin per kg every 6 h improved survival over a 48-h treatment period from 5 to 23% (P less than 0.0025). Treatment with lipid X and ticarcillin over a broad range of antibiotic dosages in 362 mice demonstrated improved survival of two- to fourfold (P less than 0.0001 at 24 h after inoculation, P less than or equal to 0.0005 at 48 h, and P less than or equal to 0.0001 at 5 days). Lipid X enabled the dose of ticarcillin necessary to protect 50% of mice from death to be reduced by two- to fivefold. Pretreatment with lipid X was not necessary to improve survival: 16 of 17 (94%) infected and visibly ill animals that received lipid X and ticarcillin 6 h after thigh inoculation survived versus 30 of 44 (68%) control animals treated with ticarcillin alone (P less than 0.0001). Lipid X had no antimicrobial activity in vitro. Lipid X is a novel agent that enhances survival in an animal model of severe infection with gram-negative organisms.
A Multi-objective evolutionary fuzzy system for big data

One of the most appealing features of fuzzy rule-based classifiers is the capability of explaining how the conclusions are inferred. This feature is hard to preserve when fuzzy rules are extracted from a very large amount of data. In this paper, we propose a distributed version of PAES-RCS, a multiobjective evolutionary approach to learn concurrently the rule and data bases of fuzzy rule-based classifiers by maximizing accuracy and minimizing complexity. PAES-RCS has proven to be very efficient in obtaining satisfactory approximations of the Pareto front exploiting a limited number of iterations. We implemented the distributed version of PAES-RCS by using Apache Spark as data processing framework. We discuss the effectiveness of our approach in terms of classification rate and scalability by performing a number of experiments on three real-world big datasets. Further, we compare our approach with other well-known state-of-art algorithms in terms of both accuracy and complexity, and evaluate the achievable speedup on a small computer cluster. We show that the distributed version can efficiently extract compact rule bases with high accuracy and allows handling big datasets even with modest hardware support.
Guanidinium (aqua-2κO)(4-hydroxy-6-carboxypyridine-2-carboxylato-2κ3 O 2,N,O 6)(μ-4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-1:2κ4 O 2,N,O 6:O 2)(4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylato-1κ3 O 2,N,O 6)dizincate(II) dihydrate

The title compound, (CH6N3)[Zn2(C7H3NO5)2(C7H4NO5)(H2O)]·2H2O, has an anionic binuclear complex of ZnII balanced with a guanidinium cation. There are two uncoordinated water molecules in the structure. The asymmetric unit of the compound has two different coordination types (the coordination of Zn1 is distorted trigonal-bipyramidal, while that of Zn2 is distorted octahedral) of ZnII in the crystal structure that are bridged to each other via one hypydc2− group (hypydcH2 is 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid). A variety of intermolecular O—H⋯O, N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds involving water molecules, cations and anions, and also a weak π–π interaction [3.798 (1) Å], are responsible for extending the structure into a three-dimensional network.
The Study of the Entrepreneur’s Values and Knowledge: Influence in Growth Expectations

This study examines how entrepreneur’s values and knowledge can influence growth expectations in new technology-ventures. The study analyses six Spanish cases with different level of growth expectations in their first years and with different characteristics in the entrepreneurial team. Our research reveals that entrepreneur’s knowledge is not a factor that helps to differentiate the level of growth in this specific sector. However, we found certain values present in those new ventures with a higher growth expectations, mainly independence and wealth. The values that were not related are the need of exploitation and security. Finally, we draw a model to understand the relationship between entrepreneur’s values and knowledge and their impact on new technology venture growth expectations.
Inhibition of Excess Nodal Signaling During Mouse Gastrulation by the Transcriptional Corepressor DRAP1

The formation and patterning of mesoderm during mammalian gastrulation require the activity of Nodal, a secreted mesoderm-inducing factor of the transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) family. Here we show that the transcriptional corepressor DRAP1 has a very specific role in regulation of Nodalactivity during mouse embryogenesis. We find that loss ofDrap1 leads to severe gastrulation defects that are consistent with increased expression of Nodal and can be partially suppressed by Nodal heterozygosity. Biochemical studies indicate that DRAP1 interacts with and inhibits DNA binding by the winged-helix transcription factor FoxH1 (FAST), a critical component of a positive feedback loop for Nodal activity. We propose that DRAP1 limits the spread of a morphogenetic signal by down-modulating the response to the Nodal autoregulatory loop.
Bodily symptoms in moderate and severe depression

The aim of this study was to describe bodily symptoms in severe depression, testing the hypotheses that patients with depression compared with healthy controls have several specific bodily symptoms and complaints, and furthermore that changes in severity of depression correlate to changes in bodily symptoms. Inpatients (n=29) with a diagnosis of moderate to severe depression (ICD-10) and 29 matched healthy controls were included in the study. Bodily symptoms were assessed with the Body Awareness Scale (BAS) and the severity of depression with the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS). Patients were assessed twice, i.e. when admitted to hospital and again when discharged. The patients with severe depression had more muscular tension, pain-complaints, restricted breathing, negative attitudes towards own body and lesser centring in movements compared with the healthy controls (p<0.001). Improvement in bodily symptoms was statistically significant (p<0.01), and an improvement in depression score was observed. The findings of the study may underline the importance of investigating bodily symptoms in depression and indicates a need for a specific physiotherapeutic treatment of patients with moderate to severe depression.
The Envelope Protein Encoded by the A33R Gene Is Required for Formation of Actin-Containing Microvilli and Efficient Cell-to-Cell Spread of Vaccinia Virus

ABSTRACT The vaccinia virus (VV) A33R gene encodes a highly conserved 23- to 28-kDa glycoprotein that is specifically incorporated into the viral outer envelope. The protein is expressed early and late after infection, consistent with putative early and late promoter sequences. To determine the role of the protein, two inducible A33R mutants were constructed, one with the late promoter and one with the early and late A33R promoter elements. Decreased A33R expression was associated with small plaques that formed comets in liquid medium. Using both an antibiotic resistance gene and a color marker, an A33R deletion mutant, vA33Δ, was isolated, indicating that the A33R gene is not essential for VV replication. The plaques formed by vA33Δ, however, were tiny, indicating that the A33R protein is necessary for efficient cell-to-cell spread. Rescue of the large-plaque phenotype was achieved by inserting a new copy of the A33R gene into the thymidine kinase locus, confirming the specific genetic basis of the phenotype. Although there was a reduction in intracellular virus formed in cells infected with vA33Δ, the amount of infectious virus in the medium was increased. The virus particles in the medium had the buoyant density of extracellular enveloped viruses (EEV). Additionally, amounts of vA33Δ cell-associated extracellular enveloped viruses (CEV) were found to be normal. Immunogold electron microscopy of cells infected with vA33Δ demonstrated the presence of the expected F13L and B5R proteins in wrapping membranes and EEV; however, fully wrapped vA33Δ intracellular enveloped viruses (IEV) were rare compared to partially wrapped particles. Specialized actin tails that propel IEV particles to the periphery and virus-tipped microvilli (both common in wild-type-infected cells) were absent in cells infected with vA33Δ. This is the first deletion mutant in a VV envelope gene that produces at least normal amounts of fully infectious EEV and CEV and yet has a small-plaque phenotype. These data support a new model for VV spread, emphasizing the importance of virus-tipped actin tails.
Governments' sequential facility investments and ports' pricing under service differentiation and uncertainty

This paper examines optimal facility investments of risk-averse governments and optimal pricing of risk-neutral ports under service differentiation and demand uncertainty. We construct a three-period game, in which governments 1 and 2 choose their facility investments in the first and the second periods respectively, and then the two ports decide their service prices in the third period. We find that government 2 will invest more in facilities if government 1 does so when variations of the market demand are large. However, government 2 may not own higher expected utility than government 1. Moreover, we explore how the model's parameters affect optimal behaviours of governments and their ports. All of these outcomes remain true if uncertainty comes from the cost-side, or if the demand for ports' services depends on their facility levels.
Regulation of cortical contractility and spindle positioning by the protein phosphatase 6 PPH-6 in one-cell stage C. elegans embryos

Modulation of the microtubule and the actin cytoskeleton is crucial for proper cell division. Protein phosphorylation is known to be an important regulatory mechanism modulating these cytoskeletal networks. By contrast, there is a relative paucity of information regarding how protein phosphatases contribute to such modulation. Here, we characterize the requirements for protein phosphatase PPH-6 and its associated subunit SAPS-1 in one-cell stage C. elegans embryos. We establish that the complex of PPH-6 and SAPS-1 (PPH-6/SAPS-1) is required for contractility of the actomyosin network and proper spindle positioning. Our analysis demonstrates that PPH-6/SAPS-1 regulates the organization of cortical non-muscle myosin II (NMY-2). Accordingly, we uncover that PPH-6/SAPS-1 contributes to cytokinesis by stimulating actomyosin contractility. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PPH-6/SAPS-1 is required for the proper generation of pulling forces on spindle poles during anaphase. Our results indicate that this requirement is distinct from the role in organizing the cortical actomyosin network. Instead, we uncover that PPH-6/SAPS-1 contributes to the cortical localization of two positive regulators of pulling forces, GPR-1/2 and LIN-5. Our findings provide the first insights into the role of a member of the PP6 family of phosphatases in metazoan development.
Children's narratives and well-being

Research with adults indicates that writing causal-explanatory and emotionally disclosing narratives of stressful experiences is related to psychological well-being. Limited research with children has shown mixed results, but developmental theory suggests that simple extrapolation from adult findings might be problematic. In this study, 9- to 13-year-old children engaged in three days of writing under emotional and non-emotional instructions, and completed measures of depression, anxiety, strengths and difficulties, and somatic symptoms both at baseline and 2 months following intervention. Narratives were coded using a developmentally appropriate, exhaustive coding system. Children in the emotional writing group wrote more about negative evaluations, problems, emotions, explanations and coping than children in the non-emotional writing group. However, those children who wrote more about negative evaluations, problems and explanations subsequently showed higher levels of anxiety, depression and difficulties. Due to limited narrative and emotional regulation skills, expressive writing may not benefit, and may even be detrimental for, some children.
Chemical Composition, Antibacterial, Antibiofilm and Synergistic Properties of Essential Oils from Eucalyptus globulus Labill. and Seven Mediterranean Aromatic Plants

Essential oils (EOs) from Eucalyptus globulus Labill. ssp. globulus and from Mediterranean autochthonous aromatic plants – Thymus mastichina L. , Mentha pulegium L. , Rosmarinus officinalis L. , Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi ssp. nepeta, Cistus ladanifer L. , Foeniculum vulgare L. , Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter ssp. viscosa – were extracted by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC‐FID and NMR spectroscopy. EOs were evaluated for antimicrobial properties against several bacterial strains, using diverse methods, namely, the agar disc‐diffusion method, the microdilution method, the crystal violet assay and the Live/Dead staining for assessment of biofilm formation. Potential synergy was assessed by a checkerboard method. EOs of R. officinalis and C. ladanifer showed a predominance in monoterpene hydrocarbons (> 60%); EOs of C. nepeta, M. pulegium, T. mastichina, E. globulus and F. vulgare were rich in oxygenated monoterpenes (62 – 96%) whereas EO of D. viscosa was mainly composed of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (54%). All EOs showed antimicrobial activity; M. pulegium and E. globulus generally had the strongest antimicrobial activity. EO of C. nepeta was the most promising in hampering the biofilm formation. The combinations D. viscosa/C. nepeta and E. globulus/T. mastichina were synergistic against Staphylococcus aureus. These results support the notion that EOs from the aromatic plants herein reported should be further explored as potential pharmaceuticals and/or food preservatives.
An effective way to implement a pointing user interface for TV

We have developed a pointing user interface system that can effectively be implemented in a TV. Since pointing operations have become popular for intuitive game consoles, people recognize its ease of use. Unlike game consoles, an expensive pointing device cannot be employed for TVs because it is a very cost-sensitive product. On the other hand, an image sensor has recently been implemented in a TV as a motion sensor. Using such an image sensor, we have developed a pointing system such that the conventional TV remote controller can be used without any additional cost. With this system, customers can operate a TV through pointing operations instead of pressing many buttons.
Automatic Detection System for Complete Connection of a Waterproof Soft-Shell Electronic Connector With a Sliding Locking Device

We developed a detection method for complete connection of a particular waterproof soft-shell electronic connector with a sliding locking device for automobiles and demonstrated a practical automatic detection system for complete connection. The proposed detection method is based on a click generated from the sliding-locking device at complete locking. However, the click generated by this type of connector is so quiet that it must be detected by a miniature microphone, amplified, and subjected to various electrical processes. Complete connection is then automatically determined from the signal level and the settling time and frequency components of the click. As a result of the demonstration of a practical automatic detection system, the detection system detected complete connection at a probability of 100% for 100 connectors and successfully rejected incomplete connections. There are limitations to the proposed detection method. The detection system did not prevent misdetection due to other types of connectors and noises that have sound components similar to those of the click for the waterproof soft-shell connector with a sliding-locking device. However, we do not consider these misdetections to be a serious problem, because sound components similar to the click for the waterproof soft-shell connector with a sliding-locking device are rare in the manufacturing environment.
Composite Biomarkers Derived from Micro-Electrode Array Measurements and Computer Simulations Improve the Classification of Drug-Induced Channel Block

The Micro-Electrode Array (MEA) device enables high-throughput electrophysiology measurements that are less labor-intensive than patch-clamp based techniques. Combined with human-induced pluripotent stem cells cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CM), it represents a new and promising paradigm for automated and accurate in vitro drug safety evaluation. In this article, the following question is addressed: which features of the MEA signals should be measured to better classify the effects of drugs? A framework for the classification of drugs using MEA measurements is proposed. The classification is based on the ion channels blockades induced by the drugs. It relies on an in silico electrophysiology model of the MEA, a feature selection algorithm and automatic classification tools. An in silico model of the MEA is developed and is used to generate synthetic measurements. An algorithm that extracts MEA measurements features designed to perform well in a classification context is described. These features are called composite biomarkers. A state-of-the-art machine learning program is used to carry out the classification of drugs using experimental MEA measurements. The experiments are carried out using five different drugs: mexiletine, flecainide, diltiazem, moxifloxacin, and dofetilide. We show that the composite biomarkers outperform the classical ones in different classification scenarios. We show that using both synthetic and experimental MEA measurements improves the robustness of the composite biomarkers and that the classification scores are increased.