Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Nonlinear forecast of financial time series through dynamical calendar correction

A method is presented that takes into account the day-of-the-week and the turn-of-the-month effect and the holiday effect and embodies them to neural network forecasting. It adjusts the time series in order to make its dynamics less distorted. After a predicted value is calculated by the network, the inverse adjustment is made to obtain the final predicted value. If there are no calendar effects on the time series this method has approximately the same performance as its classic counterpart. Empirical results are presented, based on NASDAQ Composite, and TSE 300 Composite indices using daily returns form 1984 to 2003.
Analysis of form postponement based on optimal positioning of the differentiation point and stocking decisions

In this paper we analyse the use of form postponement based on the positioning of the differentiation point and stocking policy. Six classes of manufacturing configurations are identified based on the choice of whether or not form postponement is employed and the decision regarding the stocking policy for the final product configurations as well as for the generic component. Analytical evaluation methods based on queuing models are used to assess operational measures for each class of configuration and solution algorithms are developed to determine the optimal positioning of the differentiation point and the optimal stocking levels. This allows us to compare the relative merits of all manufacturing configurations based on their respective best performances. The results of a numerical experiment show how different operational parameters may influence the choice of optimal configuration, the preference of early or late postponement, and the relative cost savings obtained from employing form postponement.
Spectrum Section Preallocation for Cooperative Sensing and Transmission in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks

A mobile device with embedded cognitive radios (CRs) is integrated into a novel low-cost massive antenna configuration multihop or device-to-device (D2D) wireless network that temporarily uses any portion of the spectrum for transmissions. However, the number of spectral bands (SBs) that a CR can sense within a specific time is limited. Furthermore, CR node transmissions interfere with one another. This paper proposes a method both for cooperative sensing and transmission with preallocated disjoining of spectrum sections (SSs) from neighboring links to increase the likelihood of matching available SBs. This minimizes sensing and negotiating overheads and reduces interference from a viewpoint of high-level graph model and mathematical formulation. The multiple-constraint routing with the resource allocation for cooperative sensing problem is proven to be NP-hard. The resource allocation method is compared with existing SB postallocation methods (i.e., random SB allocation and fixed SB allocation) and preallocation methods (i.e., link-based SS allocation and multiple parallel SB allocation). The proposed methods handle the resource preallocation mechanism with a centralized solution but handle the sensed results with a decentralized solution to reduce the negotiating and selecting time. We evaluate the performance of the system capacity, end-to-end transmission delay, fairness index, and standard deviation, thereby verifying the quality of the proposed method in terms of interferences, the fading effect, and other environment-dependent conditions. The results of the proposed method are more favorable than those of other methods.
10-year course of social adjustment in major depression

Background: It is now widely acknowledged that depression is accompanied by major deficits in social functioning. However, the course of this dysfunction and its relationship with depressive symptoms in the long term is less understood. Methods: The Group for Longitudinal Affective Disorders Study (GLADS) in Japan has conducted a 10-year prospective, serial follow-up of a cohort of mood disorder patients starting treatment for their index episode. The vicissitudes of the social adjustment of patients with major depression were analyzed using the standardized instrument (Social Adjustment Scale — Self-Report) and in conjunction with the measurement of depressive severity (Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression). Results: The results showed: (i) psychiatric patients with major depression commencing treatment showed moderate to extremely large social dysfunction at baseline; (ii) this dysfunction declined rapidly in the first six months of treatment but then levelled off and showed fluctuating patterns up to 10 years of follow-up; (iii) the degree of dysfunction varied from domain to domain, most notable in Work and least notable in Economy subscales; and (iv) the influence of persistent depression also varied from domain to domain, stronger in Housework and Leisure and weakest in Work spheres. Conclusion: Future studies of social functioning in depression need to differentiate its various aspects.
Unequal Error Protection Random Linear Coding Strategies for Erasure Channels

In this paper, we provide the performance analysis of unequal error protection (UEP) random linear coding (RLC) strategies designed for transmission of source messages containing packets of different importance over lossy packet erasure links. By introducing the probabilistic encoding framework, we first derive the general performance limits for the packet-level UEP coding strategies that encode the packets of each importance class of the source message independently (non-overlapping windowing strategy) or jointly (expanding windowing strategy). Then, we demonstrate that the general performance limits of both strategies are achievable by the probabilistic encoding over non-overlapping and expanding windows based on RLC and the Gaussian Elimination (GE) decoding. Throughout the paper, we present a number of examples that investigate the performance and optimization of code design parameters of the expanding window RLC strategy and compare it with the non-overlapping RLC strategy selected as a reference.
U.S. Monetary Policy and Econometric Modeling: Tales from the FOMC Transcripts 1984-1991

This paper uses the transcripts from the FOMC meetings to characterize the interactions between policymakers and macro models in the formulation of U.S. monetary policy. We develop a taxonomy of these interactions and present two case studies. The first case focuses on the debate on the choice of monetary target and the second case focuses on the 1990/1991 recession. The analysis reveals that U.S. monetary policy relies on models for information. Models give estimates of both the outlook and the response of the economy to policy changes. Models also evolve to recognize the changing context in which policymakers operate exchange rate flexibility, financial deregulation, and international trade agreements.
DEPENDENCE ON CACTI AND AGAVES IN NECTAR-FEEDING BATS FROM VENEZUELAN ARID ZONES

Abstract We used stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses to test the hypothesis that nectar-feeding bats Leptonycteris curasoae and Glossophaga longirostris depend on cacti and agaves as food sources in Venezuelan arid zones and to compare their trophic positions. We measured the isotopic compositions of muscle tissue in the 2 species during 1 year at 3 arid locations. Overall carbon isotopic composition (∂13C) of L. curasoae (−11.76‰) and G. longirostris (−13.28‰) resembled values characteristic of columnar cacti and agaves (−12.47‰), which have in common the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) photosynthetic pathway. L. curasoae appears to be more dependent on cacti and agaves (98% CAM in the diet) than G. longirostris (85% CAM in the diet). CAM dependence, as we designate dependence on cacti and agaves, was evidenced across sites. Level of CAM dependence slightly varied over the year only in G. longirostris. We concluded that the 2 species of bats mainly rely on CAM plants in Venezuelan arid zones. Overall nitrogen isotopic composition (∂15N) did not differ between L. curasoae (15.87‰) and G. longirostris (15.37‰). Although our results suggest that the 2 bats occupy the same trophic position, no conclusive evidence supported this observation. The strong interdependence between these bats and their host CAM plants in northern South America suggests that a disturbance affecting 1 component of the interaction would have a strong effect on the other.
The Internet of Things ( IoT ) : An Overview Antar

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) controls our daily behaviors. It becomes a main part of our life critical infrastructure bringing interconnection of heterogeneous devices in different aspects. Personal computing, sensing, surveillance, smart homes, entertainment, transportation and video streaming are examples, to name a few. As a critical living entity, Internet is contentiously changing and evolving leading to emerging new technologies, applications, protocols and algorithms. Acceleration of wireless communication trends brings an ever growing innovation in Internet connectivity and mobile broadband. Infrastructureless communication devices become ubiquitous, smart, powerful, connectible, smaller, cheaper, and easier to deploy and install. This opens a new future direction in the society of ICT: the Internet of Things (IoT). Nowadays, the IoT, early defined as Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications, becomes a key concern of ICT world and research communities. In this paper, we provide an overview study of the IoT paradigm, its concepts, principles and potential benefits. Specifically, we focus on the IoT major technologies, emerging protocols, and widespread applications. This overview can help those who start approaching the IoT world aiming to understand and participate to its development.
Rationality in the Analysis of Behavioral Simulation Models

An important task in the analysis of a behavioral simulation model is to explain clearly how the model's organizational assumptions lead to its simulated behavior. All too often, model-based arguments involve an uncomfortable "leap of logic" between equations and consequences. This paper proposes two methods of analysis, premise description and partial model testing, which provide stepping stones between model equations and their simulated consequences. Premise description examines the bounded rationality of policies or decision functions in the model, pointing out the process and cognitive limitations assumed in decisionmaking. Partial model tests expose the intended rationality of smalt combinations of policies, showing that policies produce "sensible" actions with respect to their premises. The application of those methods is illustrated with a simulation model of a sales organization in which sales-force productivity is prone to decline. The behavior of productivity is traced to dysfunctional interactions between objectives, overtime, and salesforce motivation.
Partners in Crime: Collusive Corruption and Search

Abstract This paper analyzes corruption as a collusive act which requires the participation of two willing partners. An agent intending to engage in a corrupt act must search for a like-minded partner. When many people in the economy are corrupt, such a search is more likely to be fruitful. Thus when an agent engages in a search, he raises the net benefit of searching for other similar agents in the economy, creating an externality. This introduces a non-convexity in the model, which consequently has multiple equilibria. The economy can be in stable equilibrium with a high or low level of corruption.Starting from the high-corruption equilibrium, a sufficient increase in vigilance triggers a negative cascade, leading the economy to a new equilibrium in which no agent finds it profitable to search for corrupt partners. The no-corruption equilibrium continues to be stable if vigilance is then relaxed. This suggests that the correct way to deal with corruption is to launch a ``big push'' with large amounts of resources. Once the level of corruption declines, these resources can be withdrawn.
Democracy and peace: Reply to oneal and russett

The criticism of James, Solberg and Wolfson (JSW) (1999) by Oneal and Russett (OR) is not responsive to the methodologica] issues at stake. JSW argued that war is an endogenous feature of the world political and economic system. If its causes are to be measured, it must be as a structural equation in a simultaneous system. Wedded to the idea that “democracies never fight each other,” OR rely on a single equation to justify their view. JSW claim that such an equation may be an ad hoc reduced form with no causal implications unless the equation is explicitly identified as a structural equation. JSW expand the model to explain democracy and conflict as two endogenous variables. JSW do not claim to have discovered the true relationships between these variables by their minimal expansion of the structural relation. They do show that unless these (and other) variables are treated as part of a system, the results are unstable, contradictory, of minimal size and not a reliable guide to public policy.
Competition in the advanced sale of service capacity

Since service production and consumption are inseparable, many service firms sell their capacity in advance. This paper examines the optimality and practice of advanced sale of service capacity under duopolistic competition. Using a game-theoretic approach, it attempts to explain why, despite sophisticated practices of advanced sale in many service industries, many service firms still do not sell in advance. It demonstrates that competition and market price sensitivity to a firm's capacity can impact not only a firm's decision to sell in advance, but also its pricing and capacity allocation decisions.
Government Size and Economic Growth in Italy: An Empirical Analyses Based on New Data (1861-2008)

The aim of this paper is to empirically assess the relationship between government size and economic growth. Using time series methodologies applied to annual data for Italy, the effect public expenditure, unemployment and fiscal reforms on economic activity have been analysed. The data used in these analyses have been collected and shown in Forte (2011), and they cover the very long-period 1861-2011. Our results show the presence of a non-linear relationship between the size of public sector (measured by the share of government expenditure over GDP) and the economic growth rate for Italy. In general, the presence of an inverted “U-shape” curve emerges for the last two decades, suggesting that expenditure cuts might faster GDP dynamic. This result is in line with recent empirical literature about this issue. Interestingly, for the monarchic years, it has been found that the zero budget constraint provoked a slower aggregate income variation.
Framing Anti-Americanism and the Media in South Korea: TV vs Newspaper*

This study indicates a stark contrast between the frames by TV news and that of the major newspapers in the coverage of the two candlelight demonstrations in 2002 and 2008 in South Korea. The contrast implies that the frames used by TV news and major newspapers were constructed by two different thematic frames that competed for dominance in public concern: national interest on the one hand, and national prestige and human interests on the other. The TV news framed stories on the 2002 Yangju county accident and the import of American beef in ways to trigger anti-Americanism, which was contrasted with major newspapers' consistent emphasis on national interest. Difference in ownership, target audience and the degree of dependence on advertising sponsors offered plausible explanations for the difference in frames. In addition, the number of journalists going into politics also offered insights into why TV news and newspapers framed the 2002 Yangju county accident and the import of US beef in very unique ways, either by triggering anti-demonstrations or by tranquilizing protests through emphasizing national interests. Overall, difference in frames between major TV news and major newspaper stories represents ideological difference in the public opinion over conservatives versus progressives.
Audiometric changes in patients undergoing liver transplantation using distinct immunosuppressive protocols

The aim of the study was to disclose a possible association of hearing defects with the use of either cyclosporin (CyA) or tacrolimus (FK‐506) in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). Pure‐tone audiometry (PTA) was performed in the same 42 patients before and after LT. Audiometric frequencies recorded ranged from 250 to 8000 Hz. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of CyA (n = 18) or FK‐506 (n = 24). We used Kolmogorov‐Smirnov and subsequently Student t test, nonparametric Wilcoxon signed‐rank test, and Mann‐Whitney test for statistical analysis. Significance was achieved when P ≤ 0.05. There was a statistically significant change in PTA results, occurring as decreased hearing perception, especially in high frequencies (4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz), in both ears of patients undergoing LT and receiving FK‐506. Audiometric changes were not perceived pre‐ and posttransplantation in patients using CyA, except in the right ear, in the 3000‐Hz range. In conclusion, LT patients presented worsening of hearing patterns after undergoing transplantation. The defect was significantly more accentuated in the high‐frequency tones, particularly in individuals using FK‐506 as the immunosuppressive regimen. Liver Transpl, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Visualization of Urban Air Pollution with Cloud Computing

Visualization of urban air pollution requiresmassive data processing since it should make air pollutionmaps either in two dimensions or three dimensions and wehave to deal with geographical data, that is, GIS data. We usedour own cloud computing technology to visualize urban airpollution and found that our approach vastly reduced theprocessing time of the visualization. In this paper, we presentthe visualization processing of urban air pollution using ourown cloud computing technology, Smart-MapReduce andcompare the performance with MPI and MapReduce withHadoop.
Home‐Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Very Severe COPD: IS IT SAFE AND USEFUL?

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety and usefulness of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with very severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who receive long-term treatment with oxygen. METHODS A randomized prospective study that included 50 patients with very severe COPD undergoing long-term treatment with oxygen. At the start of the program and after 12 months, the following evaluations were performed: pulmonary function tests, submaximal exercise capability, and quality of life. The rehabilitation program lasted for 1 year, with periodic home visits by a physiotherapist and included respiratory reeducation training of the respiratory muscles and muscular training. RESULTS Forty-two patients completed the study (27 in the rehabilitation group and 15 in the control group). There were no initial differences between the 2 groups. No complications arising from the performance of the exercises were observed. The rehabilitation group showed a clinically significant increase in the distance covered in the 6-minute walk test (313 ± 72 m vs 392 ± 82 m, P = .0001) and a clinically significant reduction in the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (55.3 ± 15.0 vs 40.5 ± 13.8, P = .0001). No significant changes were found in any of the parameters studied in the control group. CONCLUSION A home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program for patients with very severe COPD under long-term oxygen treatment is safe and useful, as it achieves an improvement in exercise tolerance, reduces dyspnea after effort, and improves quality of life without causing any complication arising from the performance of the exercises.
Conservatism and the neural circuitry of threat: economic conservatism predicts greater amygdala–BNST connectivity during periods of threat vs safety

Abstract Political conservatism is associated with an increased negativity bias, including increased attention and reactivity toward negative and threatening stimuli. Although the human amygdala has been implicated in the response to threatening stimuli, no studies to date have investigated whether conservatism is associated with altered amygdala function toward threat. Furthermore, although an influential theory posits that connectivity between the amygdala and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is important in initiating the response to sustained or uncertain threat, whether individual differences in conservatism modulate this connectivity is unknown. To test whether conservatism is associated with increased reactivity in neural threat circuitry, we measured participants’ self-reported social and economic conservatism and asked them to complete high-resolution fMRI scans while under threat of an unpredictable shock and while safe. We found that economic conservatism predicted greater connectivity between the BNST and a cluster of voxels in the left amygdala during threat vs safety. These results suggest that increased amygdala–BNST connectivity during threat may be a key neural correlate of the enhanced negativity bias found in conservatism.
Coping with Stress in the Forced Repatriation of Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Refugee Children among Swedish Police Officers and Social Workers

Police officers and social workers are key actors in the forced repatriation of unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugee children. Police officers are tasked with arranging the children’s departure, whereas social workers are responsible for the children’s well-being during their stay in Sweden. To gain a better understanding of how to handle stressors and cope effectively with forced repatriation work, the current study aimed to describe and compare police officers’ and social workers’ coping strategies for forced repatriation work, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and social support. Nationally distributed surveys to social workers (n = 380) and police officers (n = 714) with and without experience of forced repatriation were used, analyzed by univariate and multivariable regression models. The police officers used more planful problem-solving and self-controlling strategies, whereas the social workers used more escape-avoidance, distancing and positive reappraisal coping. Additionally, social workers with experience in forced repatriation used more planful problem-solving than those without experience. Police officers involved in forced repatriation manage their work stress via adaptive coping strategies and control over the situation, whereas social workers use more maladaptive coping strategies. Concrete tools are needed at the individual level to strengthen key actors’ ability to support the well-being of unaccompanied asylum-seeking refugee children.
The benchmarking matrix

Since its introduction in the 1980s, benchmarking has become increasingly popular for measuring the operational performance of companies. Benchmarking generally means to analytically compare a company with leading practices identified in the industry. The main obstacle in performing benchmarking is that comparison between companies is most of the time limited due to industry, geography and company peculiarities. To overcome these limitations, the benchmarking matrix is a modern tool for comparing the cost structure of companies within the same industry. By using the benchmarking matrix, differences in costs can be identified, potential efficiency gaps can be quantified and allowance made for identification of improvements.