Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pension fund manager skills over the economic cycle: the (non-)specialization cost

ABSTRACT We study whether pension fund managers, as professionals of important social and financial products, are able to add value for their clients and adapt to economic changes. To this end, we analyze the performance and skills (market timing and stock picking) over the economic cycle from both pension fund and manager perspectives. This double analysis allows examining whether skills reside in managers and/or funds and control for manager substitutions. Despite the long-term nature of pension funds, we find that both fund and manager skills vary with market conditions, showing better evidence of stock-picking in booms, and of market timing in recessions. Nonetheless, top (bottom) funds and managers exhibit both (incorrect) skills in booms and in recessions. Some of the top (bottom) funds and managers are the best (worst) in both abilities in the same periods, but not in different periods, showing that not all managers have the ability to adapt to market conditions. Additionally, managers with limited skills tend to specialize because diversification requires multi-task skills and the non-specialization of these managers usually results in incorrect skills.
Knowledge Collaboration & Learning for Sustainable Innovation

This paper assesses the use of ecologically sustainable design approaches by industrial design (ID) consultancies in Australia and Germany. Whilst much academic research has focussed on the development of ecodesign strategies and tools, it remains unclear to what extent these are actually applied by practitioners. This paper investigates the extent to which design consultancies integrate ecodesign into their services and portfolios and their proactive promotion of sustainable design tools and strategies to their clients. This was achieved through a content analysis of commercial websites of ID consultancies in Australia (n=96) and Germany (n=217). The review criteria included: their general awareness of environmental issues related to product design, the share of ecologically responsible products in their portfolio and the kinds of sustainable design expertise that they advertise. The paper concludes that the majority of ID companies in Germany and in Australia do not appear to actively practice ecodesign. Nevertheless, amongst those that were found to practice ecodesign, a broad range of ecodesign strategies is visible; selection of low impact materials was the most prominent strategy used in Australia while reduction of impact during use was most common in Germany.
A novel scan method using angled high frequency single element needle transducers

This paper proposes a new scan method for high frequency ultrasound (higher than 40 MHz) imaging. A needle transducer with a certain angled tip is inserted through a small incision hole and rotated around the axial direction to acquire sector or polar images of tissues deep inside the body where the conventional mechanical scanning cannot be performed. The feasibility of this novel technique was tested by computer simulation of wire phantom images and manually rotated scanning to image a polyimide tube with an unfocused 40-MHz PMN-PT needle transducer with a beveled tip of 45deg. The results indicate that the rotational scan imaging may expand the minimally invasive applications of high frequency ultrasound to other areas due to the closeness of the needle transducer to structures of interest buried in other tissues.
Eligibility for PCSK9 Inhibitors According to American College of Cardiology (ACC) and European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) Guidelines After Acute Coronary Syndromes

Background The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society (ESC/EAS) have recently published recommendations for the use of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin‐9 (PCSK9) inhibitors in situations of very high risk. We aim to assess in the real world the suitability of PCSK9 inhibitors for acute coronary syndromes. Methods and Results We analyzed a prospective Swiss cohort of 2023 patients hospitalized for acute coronary syndromes between 2009 and 2014 with available data for low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and lipid‐lowering therapy at 1 year. Clinical familial hypercholesterolemia was defined using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network algorithm as unlikely, possible, probable, or definite. We simulated a fixed relative reduction of 24% in low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 1 year in all patients not treated with ezetimibe, irrespective of the low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and statin regimen. At 1 year, 94.3% of patients were treated with statin, 5.8% with ezetimibe, and 35.8% of patients had on‐target low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (<1.8 mmol/L); 25.6% met criteria for possible or probable/definite familial hypercholesterolemia. After a simulation of the lipid‐lowering effect of ezetimibe, the proportion of patients who would be eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors at 1 year was 13.4% using American College of Cardiology criteria and 2.7% using European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society criteria. Patients with possible or probable/definite familial hypercholesterolemia were more eligible for PCSK9 inhibitors compared with their non–familial hypercholesterolemia counterparts: 27.6% versus 8.8% according to American College of Cardiology criteria and 6.6% versus 1.8% according to European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society criteria (P<0.001). Conclusions Recommendations made by the American College of Cardiology guidelines would lead to 5‐fold higher eligibility rates for PCSK9 inhibitors compared to the European Society of Cardiology/European Atherosclerosis Society consensus statement in acute coronary syndrome patients.
Clinical Implications and Facts About Allergic Rhinitis (AR) in Children

Zorica Zivkovic1,2, Sofija Cerovic2, Ivana Djuric-Filipovic1, Zoran Vukasinovic3,4, Jasmina Jocic-Stojanovic2 and Aleksandra Bajec-Opancina5 1US Medical School, European University, Belgrade 2Children’s Hospital for Lung Diseases and Tuberculosis, Medical Center “Dr Dragisa Misovic”, Belgrade 3Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade 4Institute of Orthopaedic Surgery „Banjica“, Belgrade 5Mother and Child Health Care Institute, Belgrade Serbia
Master-slave current control DGs in a microgrid for transient decoupling with mains

Modern power system is envisaged to incorporate microgrids in the power grids to realize efficiently flexible and reliable flow of power by effectively utilizing renewable energy sources and storage systems. The microgrids in such cases thus operate in grid connected and islanded mode. The paper presents a control scheme that is used to implement grid connected and islanded operation of master distributed generation (DG) unit and current control of slave DGs so as to share the load as per their rating, and absorbs the transients arising from load perturbations and DG source switching. Master DG is operated in indirect current control while in grid connected operation and is operated with PWM switching to present a voltage source for slave DGs which are always operated in direct current control mode under central command generating references for different DGs based on sensed voltage and current at different nodes. Simulated results under MATLAB environment are presented to validate the effectiveness of the control scheme.
Evaluation of the neurobehavioral screening tool in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

BACKGROUND There is a growing need for validated tools to screen children at risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The Neurobehavioral Screening Tool (NST) is one of several promising screening measures for FASD, though further evidence is needed to establish the tool's psychometric utility. OBJECTIVE To assess the predictive accuracy of the NST among children with an FASD diagnosis, with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) but no FASD diagnosis, and typically developing controls. METHOD The NST was completed by caregivers of children ages 6 to 17, including 48 with FASD, 22 with PAE, and 32 typically developing non-exposed controls. Predictive accuracy coefficients were calculated using Nash et al. (2006) criteria, and compared against controls. An alternative scoring scheme was also investigated to determine optimum referral thresholds using item-level total scores. RESULTS The NST yielded 62.5% sensitivity for participants with FASD and 50% for PAE. Specificity values were 100% with no typically developing control scoring positive. Within the FASD group there was a trend for higher sensitivity among adolescents aged 12 to17 (70.8%) compared with children aged 6 to 11 years (54.2%), p = 0.23. CONCLUSION The findings support a growing body of literature evidencing psychometric promise for the clinical utility of the NST as an FASD screening tool, though further research on possible age-effects is warranted. The availability of a validated clinical screening tool for FASD, such as the NST, would aid in accurately screening a large number of children and lead to a timelier diagnostic referral.
Solar photovoltaic static conversion system applied to a smart microgrid

This work presents a solar photovoltaic (PV) static conversion system applied in an experimental smart microgrid. The system totals 12 kW of processed power, consisting of 6 subsystems of 2 kW, where each subsystem is fed by a photovoltaic array and a three-state switching cell-based boost dc-dc converter, which is controlled by the Temp Voc Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) method, and then, connected to the dc-bus of a smart microgrid. In addiction, a droop control technique is introduced to control the dc-bus in case of an excess generation operating condition. In order to verify the performance of the solar photovoltaic system and the control strategies, experimental results are presented. Furthermore, a hardware demonstrator of a single dc-dc converter is presented.
Effects of Volatility of the Exchange Rate on Volatility of Inflation: Expectations and Growth Prospects in Mexico (2002-2014)

This paper is aimed at assessing the impact of exchange rate volatility on inflation expectations and economic growth prospects in Mexico. In order to examine whether there is some degree of causality, we will be using standard multivariate volatility models. The goal of this research is to measure the direction of causality, that is, we will analyze, econometrically, potential relationships in both directions. The main finding is that there is only a statistically significant relationship between the exchange rate volatility and the volatility of inflation expectations, while no statistically significant association with growth prospects was found; these results provide important information that could be used in monetary policy design.
Modulation of cell surface transport and lipid raft localization by the cytoplasmic tail of the influenza virus hemagglutinin

Viral glycoproteins are highly variable in their primary structure, but on the other hand feature a high functional conservation to fulfil their versatile tasks during the pathogenic life cycle. Typically, all protein domains are optimized in that indispensable functions can be assigned to small conserved motifs or even individual amino acids. The cytoplasmic tail of many viral spike proteins, although of particular relevance for the virus biology, is often only insufficiently characterized. Hemagglutinin (HA), the receptor‐binding protein of the influenza virus comprises a short cytoplasmic tail of 13 amino acids that exhibits three highly conserved palmitoylation sites. However, the particular importance of these modifications and the tail in general for intracellular trafficking and lateral membrane organization remains elusive. In this study, we generated HA core proteins consisting of transmembrane domain, cytoplasmic tail and a minor part of the ectodomain, tagged with a yellow fluorescent protein. Different mutation and truncation variants of these chimeric proteins were investigated using confocal microscopy, to characterize the role of cytoplasmic tail and palmitoylation for the intracellular trafficking to plasma membrane and Golgi apparatus. In addition, we assessed raft partitioning of the variants by Foerster resonance energy transfer with an established raft marker.
Designing an End User Participation and Involvement Assistant for Continuous IS Development

The nature of information system provision has changed as the business models of software firms are continually changing towards software-as-a service and platform-as-a-service solutions. Involving end users in a continuous development of such information systems promises to increase the overall system’s success. The conceptualization and actual realization of the user involvement concept is subject of ongoing research. Based on a systematic literature review, we identified three implications of this research that are relevant for the development of an information technology based assistant for user participation and involvement. In this paper, we introduce our Design Science Research project on the theory grounded design of a user participation and involvement assistant. We aim to enable end users to provide meaningful feedback to the developers during their actual system use. Moreover, the assistant will enable developers to effectively analyze the vast amount of complex end user feedback.
Do temperate tree species diversity and identity influence soil microbial community function and composition?

Abstract Studies of biodiversity–ecosystem function in treed ecosystems have generally focused on aboveground functions. This study investigates intertrophic links between tree diversity and soil microbial community function and composition. We examined how microbial communities in surface mineral soil responded to experimental gradients of tree species richness (SR), functional diversity (FD), community‐weighted mean trait value (CWM), and tree identity. The site was a 4‐year‐old common garden experiment near Montreal, Canada, consisting of deciduous and evergreen tree species mixtures. Microbial community composition, community‐level physiological profiles, and respiration were evaluated using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and the MicroResp™ system, respectively. The relationship between tree species richness and glucose‐induced respiration (GIR), basal respiration (BR), metabolic quotient (qCO 2) followed a positive but saturating shape. Microbial communities associated with species mixtures were more active (basal respiration [BR]), with higher biomass (glucose‐induced respiration [GIR]), and used a greater number of carbon sources than monocultures. Communities associated with deciduous tree species used a greater number of carbon sources than those associated with evergreen species, suggesting a greater soil carbon storage capacity. There were no differences in microbial composition (PLFA) between monocultures and SR mixtures. The FD and the CWM of several functional traits affected both BR and GIR. In general, the CWM of traits had stronger effects than did FD, suggesting that certain traits of dominant species have more effect on ecosystem processes than does FD. Both the functions of GIR and BR were positively related to aboveground tree community productivity. Both tree diversity (SR) and identity (species and functional identity—leaf habit) affected soil microbial community respiration, biomass, and composition. For the first time, we identified functional traits related to life‐history strategy, as well as root traits that influence another trophic level, soil microbial community function, via effects on BR and GIR.
Joint trajectories of mechanical manipulators for Cartesian path approximation

Methods of joint trajectory generation for mechanical manipulators using X-spline and quartic spline functions are presented. A sequence of Cartesian knots, i.e. positions and orientations of the hand, are selected from the desired Cartesian path. Joint values corresponding to these selected knots are solved from the kinematic equation. Approximate joint paths are constructed by interpolating these joint positions. At any instant, two or more future knots need to be known in advance in order to determine the current joint trajectories. Approximate errors for Cartesian paths are discussed. An illustrative example is used for comparing these trajectories to other existent polynomial-type trajectories.
Advanced Induction Motor Rotor Fault Diagnosis Via Continuous and Discrete Time–Frequency Tools

Transient-based fault diagnosis in induction motors has gained increasing attention over the recent years. This is due to its ability to avoid eventual wrong diagnostics of the conventional motor current signature analysis in certain industrial situations (presence of load toque oscillations, light loading conditions, and so on). However, the application of these transient methodologies requires the use of advanced signal processing tools. This paper presents a detailed comparison between the two main groups of transforms that are employed in transient analysis: discrete and continuous. This paper does not focus on trivial fault cases but on difficult real situations where the application of the conventional methods often leads to false diagnostics (outer bar breakages in double-cage motors, motors with rotor axial duct influence, and combined faults). Indeed, it is the first time that continuous tools are applied to some of these controversial situations. The results in this paper prove the special advantages of the continuous transforms, tearing down some false myths about their use.
Performance analysis of the mushroom-like-EBG structure integrated with a microstrip patch antenna

A performance analysis was carried out on the mushroom-like electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure which is integrated with a microstrip patch antenna. Various configurations of the EBG structure embedded and stacked with the patch antenna were simulated and analysed. Depending on the EBG and patch configuration, the results indicated improvement in the gain, directivity, back lobe suppression and also beamwidth increment when integrated with a patch antenna operating at a frequency of 5.4Ghz.
Activated Platelet and Oxidized LDL Induce Endothelial Membrane Vesiculation: Clinical Significance of Endothelial Cell-Derived Microparticles in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Endothelial cells, platelets, and oxidized LDL could play very important roles in the development of atherosclerosis in diabetes patients. The levels of plasma endothelial cell-derived microparticles (EDMP), platelet-derived microparticles (PDMP), platelet-P-selectin (plt-PS), soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), and anti-oxidized LDL antibody were measured and compared to develop a better understanding of their potential contribution to diabetic vascular complications. The concentrations of EDMP, PDMP, plt-PS, and sCD40L in diabetic patients were significantly higher than those in normal subjects. The number of EDMPs in patients with diabetes complicated by nephropathy was significantly higher than that in those without complications. Levels of anti-oxidized LDL antibody were also higher in type 2 diabetic patients than in control subjects. In addition, anti-oxidized LDL antibody levels correlated with EDMP, PDMP, plt-PS, and sCD40L levels in nephropathy patients. In the nephropathy group treated with sarpogrelate hydrochrolide, a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist, EDMP, PDMP, plt-PS, and sCD40L levels were decreased significantly. Oxidized LDL increased expression of plt-PS, and also promoted shedding of PDMP. Furthermore, oxidized LDL promoted a dose-dependent release of 5-hydroxytriptamine. On the other hand, activated platelets and PDMP promoted endothelial cells and THP-1 (monocytic cell line) interaction, and membrane vesiculation occurred in the presence of oxidized LDL. These findings suggest that activated platelets and oxidized LDL induce EDMP generation, and that elevated EDMPs may be a sign of vascular complications in type 2 diabetic patients, particularly those who suffer from diabetes-associated nephropathy
Developmental programming of cardiovascular disease by prenatal hypoxia

It is now recognized that the quality of the fetal environment during early development is important in programming cardiovascular health and disease in later life. Fetal hypoxia is one of the most common consequences of complicated pregnancies worldwide. However, in contrast to the extensive research effort on pregnancy affected by maternal nutrition or maternal stress, the contribution of pregnancy affected by fetal chronic hypoxia to developmental programming is only recently becoming delineated and established. This review discusses the increasing body of evidence supporting the programming of cardiac susceptibility to ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury, of endothelial dysfunction in peripheral resistance circulations, and of indices of the metabolic syndrome in adult offspring of hypoxic pregnancy. An additional focus of the review is the identification of plausible mechanisms and the implementation of maternal and early life interventions to protect against adverse programming.
Full-Duplex Heterogeneous Networks: Ergodic Rate Analysis with Realistic Interference Modeling

In this paper, we adopt a realistic approach to modeling a full-duplex heterogeneous cellular network (HetNet) consisting of a tier of small cell base stations (BSs) that can perform half-duplex (HD) or full-duplex (FD) transmission depending on which duplex transmission is needed by their associated users and a tier of macro BSs that only can perform HD transmission due to their strong self-interference (SI). Two realistic issues, void cell and imperfect SI cancellation, that could exist in this HetNet are also considered in the interference model of this two-tier HetNet. We first study the Laplace transforms of the reciprocals of the signal-to- interference power ratios of users and small cell BSs and derive their explicit expressions. These Laplace transforms lead to the derivations of the ergodic rates of users and small cell BSs found in a very compact form for general power-law channel models. We show that FD does not always outperform HD in terms of ergodic rates and demonstrate how to make FD#x002F;HD transmission benefits the ergodic rates by deploying macro and small cell BSs with appropriate intensities.
Impact of comorbid cannabis use on outcome in first episode psychosis

Comorbid cannabis abuse is common in patients with early psychosis. Little is known about the effect of stopping cannabis use on positive, negative and depressive symptoms. Few studies have controlled for multiple substance use that may mask the specific role that cannabis plays in symptom outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether course and level of cannabis use negatively impacted early psychosis patient symptom profiles (positive, negative and depressive symptoms) over 24 months.