Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Financial Risk Tolerance, 1983-2001

Using six Survey of Consumer Finances cross-sectional datasets representing the years 1983 through 2001, this study investigates changes in financial risk tolerance levels over time. Logit analyses are performed to test changes in risk tolerance, controlling for respondent and household characteristics. Willingness to take some risk fell from 1983 to 1989, did not change from 1989 to 1992, increased in 1995, increased again in 1998, then decreased in 2001. Financial risk tolerance tends to increase when stock returns increase and decrease when stock returns decrease. This relationship could lead to buying when prices are high and selling when prices are low. Financial education is needed to help investors overcome the bias of overweighting recent events. © 2004
PRO-MINE: A Bioinformatics Repository and Analytical Tool for TARDBP Mutations

TDP‐43 is a multifunctional RNA‐binding protein found to be a major protein component of intracellular inclusions found in neurodegenerative disorders such as Fronto Temporal Lobar Degeneration, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Alzheimer Disease. PRO‐MINE (PROtein Mutations In NEurodegeneration) is a database populated with manually curated data from the literature regarding all TDP‐43/TDP43/TARDBP gene disease‐associated mutations identified to date. A web server interface has been developed to query the database and to provide tools for the analysis of already reported or novel TDP‐43 gene mutations. As is usually the case with genetic association studies, assessing the potential impact of identified mutations is of crucial importance, and in order to avoid prediction biases it is essential to compare the prediction results. However, in most cases mutations have to be submitted separately to various prediction tools and the individual results manually merged together afterwards. The implemented web server aims to overcome the problem by providing simultaneous access to several prediction tools and by displaying the results into a single output. Furthermore, the results are displayed together in a comprehensive output for a more convenient analysis and are enriched with additional information about mutations. In addition, our web server can also display the mutation(s) of interest within an alignment of annotated TDP‐43 protein sequences from different vertebrate species. In this way, the degree of sequence conservation where the mutation(s) occur can be easily tracked and visualized. The web server is freely available to researchers and can be accessed at http://bioinfo.hr/pro‐mine. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Free-text user authentication technique through Keystroke Dynamics

Some common words (name, address, E-mail ID, .), we press daily and we are habituated to press it in same rhythm, which is unique and can be used to segregate and distinguish people. In this paper we are considering rhythm not only the entered common words or some sequence of common characters. Here machine intelligence relies on the fact that it stores the typing style of some daily used words which are supported by the user and can be used as a secret key. Recognising typing style promises a parameter like behavioural biometric characteristics that may facilitate non-intrusive, cost-effective and continuous monitoring. But this technique, as of now, suffers from accuracy level and performance. In order to realize, this technique in practice a higher level of security and performance together with low cost version is needed with an error to an accepted level. Hence, it is highly essential to identify the controlling parameters and optimise the accuracy and performance as well as cost with new algorithms.
Explanations, predictions, and laws

CARL G. HEMPEL '-Fb v Ga v Ha'. Kim shows generally that his additional requirement blocks the proofs offered by Eberle, Kaplan, and Montague for the five theorems that "trivialize" the defintions (7.8) and (7.9). However, it would be desirable to ascertain more clearly to what extent the additional requirement is justifiable, not on the ad hoc ground that it blocks those proofs, but in terms of the rationale of scientific explanation. Kaplan approaches the problem by formulating three very plausible requirements cf adequacy for any analysis of the deductive type of explanation here to be explicated. He then shows that the analysis proposed in Part III does not satisfy those requirements jointly, and that the difficulties exhibited in the five trivializing theorems are linked to this shortcoming. Finally, he revises the definitions offered in Part I11 so that they meet the requirements of adequacy and avoid the difficulties we have been discussing. For the details of this illuminating contribution, the reader will have to consult Kaplan's article.
SemanticQA: Exploiting semantic associations for cross-document question answering

As more data is being semantically annotated, it is getting more common that researchers in multiple disciplines rely on semantic repositories that contain large amounts of data in the form of ontologies as a compact source of information. One of the main issues currently facing these researchers is the lack of easy-to-use interfaces for data retrieval, due to the need to use special query languages or applications. In addition, the knowledge in these repositories might not be comprehensive or up-to-date due to several reasons, such as the discovery of new knowledge in the field after the repositories was created. In this paper, we introduce an enhanced version of our SemanticQA system that allows users to query semantic data repositories using natural language questions. If a user question cannot be answered solely from the ontology, SemanticQA detects the failing parts and attempts to answer these parts from web documents and plugs in the answers to answer the whole questions, which might involve a repetition of the same process if other parts fail.
On the use of Internet Relay Chat (IRC) meetings by developers of the GNOME GTK+ project

Developers of open source projects are distributed across the world. They rely on email, mailing lists, instant messaging, IRC channels and more recently IRC meetings to communicate. Most of the studies thus far focus on the use of mailing lists by OSS developers, however, an increasing number of open source projects are using IRC meetings to hold developer meetings. In this paper, we mine the #gtk-devel IRC meeting channel and study the usage of the IRC meetings held by the GNOME GTK+ core developers and maintainers. We look at three different dimensions: the discussion volume of the meetings, the number of participants attending the meetings and the activity of these participants. Our findings show that IRC meetings are gaining popularity among open source developers and maintainers: the IRC meeting discussions are increasing in volume, have increasing attendance levels, and the participants actively contribute to the meetings. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the use of developer IRC meetings by OSS developers.
Improved deletions in dynamic spatial approximation trees

The dynamic spatial approximation tree (dsa-tree) is a recently proposed data structure for searching in metric spaces. It has been shown that it compares favorably against alternative data structures in spaces of high dimension or queries with low selectivity. The dsa-tree supports insertion and deletions of elements. However, it has been noted that deletions degrade the structure over time, so the structure cannot be regarded as fully dynamic in the sense that deletions are not sustainable for long periods of time. In this paper, we propose and study a new method to handle deletions over the dsa-tree, which is shown to be superior to the former in the sense that it does not affect search time at all. Indeed, we show that the resulting tree is exactly as if the deleted element had never been inserted. The outcome is a fully dynamic data structure that can be managed through insertions and deletions over arbitrarily long periods of time without any reorganization.
A second eIF4E protein in Schizosaccharomyces pombe has distinct eIF4G-binding properties.

The eukaryotic cap-binding proteins belonging to the eIF4E family are generally involved in mediating the recruitment of ribosomes to capped mRNA. We described previously a cap-binding protein (now called eIF4E1) in Schizosaccharomyces pombe that appears to have all of the usual structural and functional attributes of an eIF4E. We have now characterised a new type of cap-binding protein (eIF4E2) from this organism, which at the amino acid sequence level, is 52% identical and 59% similar to eIF4E1. eIF4E2 is not essential in S.pombe but has some novel properties that may be related to a special function in the cell. The ratio of eIF4E2:eIF4E1 in the cell shifts in favour of eIF4E2 at higher temperatures. Despite having all of the dorsal face amino acids that have so far been associated with eIF4G binding to eIF4E1, eIF4E2 binds the eIF4E-binding domain of S.pombe eIF4G >10(2)-times weaker than eIF4E1 in vitro. The eIF4E2 cap-binding affinity is in the typical micromolar range. The results suggest that eIF4E2 is not active on the main pathway of translation initiation in fission yeast but might play a role in the adaptation strategy of this organism under specific growth conditions. Moreover, they provide insight into the molecular characteristics required for tight binding to eIF4G.
Multivariate generalizations of the Wald--Wolfowitz and Smirnov two-sample tests

Multivariate generalizations of the Wald--Wolfowitz runs statistic and the Smirnov maximum deviation statistic for the two-sample problem are presented. They are based on the minimal spanning tree of the pooled sample points. Some null distribution results are derived and a simulation study of power is reported. 5 figures, 2 tables.
High-Quality Reverse Tone Mapping for a Wide Range of Exposures

Reverse-tone-mapping operators (rTMOs) enhance low-dynamic-range images and videos for display on high-dynamic-range monitors. A common problem faced by previous rTMOs is the handling of under or overexposed content. Under such conditions, they may not be effective, and even cause loss and reversal of visible contrast. We present an rTMO based on cross-bilateral filtering that generates high-quality HDR images and videos for a wide range of exposures. Experiments performed using an objective image quality metric show that our approach is the only technique available that can gracefully enhance perceived details across a large range of image exposures.
In-fibre whispering gallery mode resonators: From isolated microspheres to coupled systems

We review here on a new, integrated in-fiber microresonator coupler, which is a combination of a microstructured optical fiber (MOF) and a microsphere; the last is encapsulated into the capillaries of the MOF. The light guided into the MOF core excites WGMs inside the encapsulated microsphere, manifested in out-scattering or transmission mode. Microspheres being made of polystyrene or BaTiO3 glass, have been infiltrated inside silica and germanosilicate core MOFs and their spectral response was measured. The operation of this composite light coupler has leaded to Q-factors greater than 3.5×103 for a single microsphere. Results related to the infiltration of several polystyrenes microspheres and the formation of coupled cavities inside a single MOF capillary and their spectral scattering characterisation will be shown. Finally, the tuning of the WGM spectrum of a BaTiO3 glass microsphere infiltrated inside a MOF by exploiting photorefractivity will be presented.
Cell walls as a stage for intercellular communication regulating shoot meristem development

Aboveground organs of plants are ultimately derived/generated from the shoot apical meristem (SAM), which is a proliferative tissue located at the apex of the stem. The SAM contains a population of stem cells that provide new cells for organ/tissue formation. The SAM is composed of distinct cell layers and zones with different properties. Primordia of lateral organs develop at the periphery of the SAM. The shoot apex is a dynamic and complex tissue, and as such intercellular communications among cells, layers and zones play significant roles in the coordination of cell proliferation, growth and differentiation to achieve elaborate morphogenesis. Recent findings have highlighted the importance of a number of signaling molecules acting in the cell wall space for the intercellular communication, including classic phytohormones and secretory peptides. Moreover, accumulating evidence has revealed that cell wall properties and their modifying enzymes modulate hormone actions. In this review, we outline how behaviors of signaling molecules and changes of cell wall properties are integrated for the shoot meristem regulation.
How Is Smartphone Addiction Related to Interaction Anxiety of Prospective Teachers?

The main purpose of this research is to determine the relationship between prospective teachers’ smartphone addiction and interaction anxiety. For this purpose, quantitative research was carried out within the relational screening model. The population of the research was composed of senior students and pedagogical formation students from Inonu University Faculty of Education in Turkey. The sample consisted of a total of 330 prospective teachers, including 117 Faculty of Education and 213 pedagogical formation students. Data of the study were obtained via The Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) and The Interaction Anxiousness Scale (IAS). As a result of the research, it was seen that the scores of prospective teachers’ on smartphone use was at the lower level and the scores of interaction anxiety were close to the lower level of anxiety. There was also a statistically significant positive correlation between prospective teachers’ smartphone addiction and interaction anxiety.
Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America Generalized Ray Models of the San Fernando Earthquake

The exact Cagniard-de Hoop solutions for a point dislocation in half-space are used to construct models of the strong ground motion observed during the February 9, 1971 San Fernando earthquake (PC, = 6.4). By summing point dislocations distributed over the fault plane, three-dimensional models of a finite fault located in a half-space are constructed to study the ground motions observed at JPL (Pasadena), Palmdale, Lake Hughes, and Pacoima Dam. Since the duration of faulting is comparable to the travel times for various wave types, very complex interference of these arrivals makes a detailed interpretation of these wave forms difficult. By investigating the motion due to small sections of the fault, it is possible to understand how various wave types interfere to produce the motion due to the total fault. Rayleigh waves as well as S to P head waves are shown to be important effects of the free surface. Near-field source effects are also quite dramatic. Strong directivity is required to explain the difference in amplitudes seen between stations to the north and stations to the south. Faulting appears to have begun north of Pacoima at a depth of 13 km. The rupture velocity, which is near 2.8 km/sec in the hypocentral region, appears to slow to 1.8 km/sec at a depth of 5 km. Displacements on the deeper sections of the fault are about 2.5 m. Fault offsets become very small at depths near 4 km and then grow again to 5m near the surface rupture. The large velocity pulse seen at Pacoima is a far-field shear wave which is enhanced by directivity. Peak accelerations at Pacoima are probably associated with the large shallow faulting. The total moment is 1.4 x 102s ergs.
Automatic Detection Method for Casting Defects based on Gradient Features

In this paper, we propose an automated visual inspection method for casting defects. Automatic inspection systems have the potential to significantly improve quality and increase production rates. In our method, the contour discontinuity of casting product and machine-learning-based defect detection are utilized to detect defects on the surface of products. The peripheral vision and involuntary eye microvibration theories of the human visual mechanism in the field of the physiology of vision are modeled and applied in our feature extraction. By using several gradient features and different types of detector, we achieved robust casting defect detection.
Is All Government Capital Productive?

Examination of total U.S. government capital suggests that only certain of its components, namely, government-owned but privately operated capital, government enterprise capital, and government highway capital, directly contribute to the production of U.S. private sector output. During 1950-1969, positive highway capital growth raised the average growth rate of private output from 1.7 percent to 2.2 percent. In contrast, in the productivity slowdown period, 1970-1989, negative highway capital growth reduced the average growth rate of private output from 1.4 percent to 1.3 percent.
Phoneme-to-grapheme mapping for spoken inquiries to the semantic web

Automatic methods for grapheme-to-phoneme (G2P) and phoneme-to-grapheme (P2G) conversion have become very popular in recent years. Their performance has improved considerably, while at the same time these developments required less input from expert lexicographers. Continuing in this tradition we will present in this paper a data-driven, language-independent approach called MASSIVE 1 with which it is possible to create efficient online modules for automatic symbol mapping. Our framework is solely based on statistical methods for training and run-time and has been optimized for P2G conversion in the context of spoken inquiries to the Semantic Web, an issue researched in the SmartWeb project 2 . MASSIVE systems can be trained using a pronunciation lexicon, the output of a phone recognizer or any other suitable set of corresponding symbol strings. Successful tests have been performed on German and English data sets. Index Terms: phoneme-to-grapheme/sound-to-letter conversion, out-of-vocabulary words, Semantic Web.
CaMKII-Dependent Diastolic SR Ca2+ Leak and Elevated Diastolic Ca2+ Levels in Right Atrial Myocardium of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Rationale: Although research suggests that diastolic Ca2+ levels might be increased in atrial fibrillation (AF), this hypothesis has never been tested. Diastolic Ca2+ leak from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) might increase diastolic Ca2+ levels and play a role in triggering or maintaining AF by transient inward currents through Na+/Ca2+ exchange. In ventricular myocardium, ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2) phosphorylation by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK)II is emerging as an important mechanism for SR Ca2+ leak. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that CaMKII-dependent diastolic SR Ca2+ leak and elevated diastolic Ca2+ levels occurs in atrial myocardium of patients with AF. Methods and Results: We used isolated human right atrial myocytes from patients with AF versus sinus rhythm and found CaMKII expression to be increased by 40±14% (P<0.05), as well as CaMKII phosphorylation by 33±12% (P<0.05). This was accompanied by a significantly increased RyR2 phosphorylation at the CaMKII site (Ser2814) by 110±53%. Furthermore, cytosolic Ca2+ levels were elevated during diastole (229±20 versus 164±8 nmol/L, P<0.05). Most likely, this resulted from an increased SR Ca2+ leak in AF (P<0.05), which was not attributable to higher SR Ca2+ load. Tetracaine experiments confirmed that SR Ca2+ leak through RyR2 leads to the elevated diastolic Ca2+ level. CaMKII inhibition normalized SR Ca2+ leak and cytosolic Ca2+ levels without changes in L-type Ca2+ current. Conclusion: Increased CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of RyR2 leads to increased SR Ca2+ leak in human AF, causing elevated cytosolic Ca2+ levels, thereby providing a potential arrhythmogenic substrate that could trigger or maintain AF.
A Filtered Reference – Filtered Error LMS Algorithm

Adaptive filters updated by the least mean square (LMS) algorithm are succesfully implemented in digital control systems. They are utilized for both plant identification and control purposes. In control appications (e.g. in active noise control) the output of the adaptive filter drives the plant input, and the error signal is derived only at the output of the plant. In such cases the filtered reference LMS algorithm guarantees the stable adaptation. However, the convergence of this algorithm can be very slow, depending on the plant in the control loop. The paper introduces a novel algorithm which filters both the reference and the error signal by the same filter which is designed to provide a loop gain close to the unity along the whole frequency axis. The paper illustrates the efficiency of the proposed method by examples.
Outdoors augmented reality on mobile phone using loxel-based visual feature organization

We have built an outdoors augmented reality system for mobile phones that matches camera-phone images against a large database of location-tagged images using a robust image retrieval algorithm. We avoid network latency by implementing the algorithm on the phone and deliver excellent performance by adapting a state-of-the-art image retrieval algorithm based on robust local descriptors. Matching is performed against a database of highly relevant features, which is continuously updated to reflect changes in the environment. We achieve fast updates and scalability by pruning of irrelevant features based on proximity to the user. By compressing and incrementally updating the features stored on the phone we make the system amenable to low-bandwidth wireless connections. We demonstrate system robustness on a dataset of location-tagged images and show a smart-phone implementation that achieves a high image matching rate while operating in near real-time.
Trends in Prevalence of Dyslipidaemias and the Risk of Mortality in Lithuanian Urban Population Aged 45–64 in Relation to the Presence of the Dyslipidaemias and the Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors

The aim of this study was to provide reliable information on dyslipidaemias, to estimate the trend of the prevalence of dyslipidaemias and other selected cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors at population level, and to evaluate the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality in relation to presence of mixed dyslipidaemias and other CVD risk factors. Methods Data from the five surveys (1983–2008) are presented. A random sample of 9,209 subjects aged 45–64 was selected for statistical analysis. During follow-up there were 1653 death cases from any cause, 864 deaths from CVD. Estimates of hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were based on the multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression for all-cause mortality and CVD mortality. Results During 25 year period the prevalence of normal total cholesterol level (<5.2 mmol/L) significantly increased only in women; triglycerides and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol did not change in men and women. Findings in our longitudinal study showed that in men and women mixed dyslipidaemias (HDL cholesterol <1.03 mmol/L plus triglycerides ≥1.70 mmol/L) significantly increased the risk for all-cause and CVD mortality (respectively in men HR = 1.30; HR = 1.15, in women HR = 1.83; HR = 2.13). These mixed dyslipidaemia combinations combination with the other risk factors such as arterial hypertension, high fasting glucose level increased all-cause and CVD mortality risk in men and women; while, these mixed dyslipidaemias plus smoking increased all-cause and CVD mortality risk only in men compared to never smokers without these dyslipidaemias (respectively HR = 1.89; HR = 1.92); and these dyslipidaemias plus obesity increased all-cause and CVD mortality risk in women (respectively HR = 2.25; HR = 2.39) and CVD mortality risk in men (HR = 1.72), as compared to responders without obesity and these dyslipidaemias. Conclusion Mixed dyslipidaemias (reduced HDL cholesterol plus elevated triglycerides) significantly increased the risk for all-cause and CVD mortality in this Lithuanian population aged 45–64 years.