Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent evidence on the persistence of fund performance – A note

This note highlights recent evidence on the persistence of fund performance in South Africa, throwing new light on the 1985–1995 study conducted by Meyer (1997). Our analysis on the persistence of South African fund performance is based on the General Equity category of unit trusts over the period 1995-August 2001. Examining performance persistence across consecutive years, we found evidence of fund performance persistence. This latest evidence seems to be primarily driven by the consistently superior performance of some top performers (rather than persistent poor performers). It seems that there are managers who have significant skill, to the extent that they have systematically been able to outperform their peers. Interestingly this evidence is similar to evidence forthcoming from studies conducted in the USA. As a confirming exercise, we considered the impact of investing in historical top quartile performers, second quartile performers etc., rebalancing annually and accumulating returns during the subsequent year of "unseen" performance data. The results are indeed surprising and compelling. Contrary,cto popular local belief, selecting historical top quartile performers yielded vastly superior performance results to a wide range of alternate combinations. Interestingly the second best strategy was that of a passive peergoup benchmarking approach.
Metastatic MHC class I-negative mouse cells derived by transformation with human papillomavirus type 16

In the endeavour to develop a model for studying gene therapy of cancers associated with human papillomaviruses (HPVs), mouse cells were transformed with the HPV type 16 (HPV16) and activated H-ras oncogenes. This was done by contransfection of plasmid p16HHMo, carrying the HPV16 E6/E7 oncogenes, and plasmid pEJ6.6, carrying the gene coding for human H-ras oncoprotein activated by G12V mutation, into secondary C57BL/6 mouse kidney cells. An oncogenic cell line, designated MK16/1/IIIABC, was derived. The epithelial origin of the cells was confirmed by their expression of cytokeratins. No MHC class I and class II molecules were detected on the surface of MK16/1/IIIABC cells. Spontaneous metastases were observed in lymphatic nodes and lungs after prolonged growth of MK16/1/IIIABC-induced subcutaneous tumours. Lethally irradiated MK16/1/IIIABC cells induced protection against challenge with 105 homologous cells, but not against a higher cell dose (5 × 105). Plasmids p16HHMo and pEJ6.6 were also used for preventive immunization of mice. In comparison with a control group injected with pBR322, they exhibited moderate protection, in terms of prolonged survival, against MK16/1/IIIABC challenge (P < 0.03). These data suggest that MK16/1/IIIABC cells may serve as a model for studying immune reactions against HPV16-associated human tumours. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer. com
HI Robot: Human intention-aware robot planning for safe and efficient navigation in crowds

We present an algorithmic framework for the early classification of human intentions, and use it to accurately predict future human motions when planning the path of a robot in an environment that is shared with humans. During an off-line learning phase, a classifier that can recognize when a human intends to interact with the robot is trained. At runtime, this trained classifier allows us to recognize humans who intend to interact with, or obstruct, the robot in some way. We validate our approach using both recorded and simulated data in an environment in which some humans intentionally obstruct the robot. Our classifier identifies these potential blockers, thus allowing the robot to safely and efficiently navigate the environment by minimizing the chances of being blocked.
The Ultimate Planar Convex Hull Algorithm?

We present a new planar convex hull algorithm with worst case time complexity $O(n \log H)$ where $n$ is the size of the input set and $H$ is the size of the output set, i.e. the number of vertices found to be on the hull. We also show that this algorithm is asymptotically worst case optimal on a rather realistic model of computation even if the complexity of the problem is measured in terms of input as well as output size. The algorithm relies on a variation of the divide-and-conquer paradigm which we call the ``marriage-before-conquest'''' principle and which appears to be interesting in its own right.
Isolation and Characterization of Multipotential Mesenchymal Cells from the Mouse Synovium

The human synovium contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are multipotential non-hematopoietic progenitor cells that can differentiate into a variety of mesenchymal lineages and they may therefore be a candidate cell source for tissue repair. However, the molecular mechanisms by which this can occur are still largely unknown. Mouse primary cell culture enables us to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying various phenomena because it allows for relatively easy gene manipulation, which is indispensable for the molecular analysis. However, mouse synovial mesenchymal cells (SMCs) have not been established, although rabbit, cow, and rat SMCs are available, in addition to human MSCs. The aim of this study was to establish methods to harvest the synovium and to isolate and culture primary SMCs from mice. As the mouse SMCs were not able to be harvested and isolated using the same protocol for human, rat and rabbit SMCs, the protocol for humans was modified for SMCs from the Balb/c mouse knee joint. The mouse SMCs obtained showed superior proliferative potential, growth kinetics and colony formation compared to cells derived from muscle and bone marrow. They expressed PDGFRá and Sca-1 detected by flow cytometry, and showed an osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic potential similar or superior to the cells derived from muscle and bone marrow by demonstrating in vitro osteogenesis, adipogenesis and chondrogenesis. In conclusion, we established a primary mouse synovial cell culture method. The cells derived from the mouse synovium demonstrated both the ability to proliferate and multipotentiality similar or superior to the cells derived from muscle and bone marrow.
The Q 2 dependence of the structure function ratio Fsn / F 2 c and the difference R s nR C in deep inelastic muon scattering

The Q2 dependence of the structure function ratio FS"/lff for 0.01 < x < 0.75 and 1 < Q2 < 140 GeV 2 is reported. For x < 0.1 the size of shadowing decreases linearly with lnQ 2 and the maximum rate is about 0.04 at x = 0.01. The rate decreases with x and is compatible with zero for x/> 0.1. The difference R sn-R c, where R is the ratio of longitudinally to transversely polarised virtual photon absorption cross sections, is also given. No dependence on x is seen and the average value is 0.0404-0.021 (stat.) 4-0.026 (syst.) at a mean Q2 of 10 GeV 2.
Bit-Wise Detection Algorithms for V-BLAST Systems

The Vertical Bell Laboratories Layered Space-Time (V-BLAST) scheme achieves very high spectral efficiency while maintaining low implementation complexity. There have been great efforts focusing on the V-BLAST detection algorithms. However, all these algorithms concentrate on the symbol-wise detection. In this paper, a bit-wise V-BLAST detection algorithm is proposed based on the fact that the bits in one modulation symbol may have different reliabilities depending on their mapping methods. This new algorithm regards bit, rather than symbol in traditional algorithms, as the minimum process unit to do the interference nulling, canceling and ordering. Considerable performance gains are achieved over the symbol-wise detection algorithms, which are demonstrated by simulations. Also, two simplified algorithms are proposed to reduce the computation complexity.
The comparative importance of species traits and introduction characteristics in tropical plant invasions

Aim We used alien plant species introduced to a botanic garden to investigate the relative importance of species traits (leaf traits, dispersal syndrome) and introduction characteristics (propagule pressure, residence time and distance to forest) in explaining establishment success in surrounding tropical forest. We also used invasion scores from a weed risk assessment protocol as an independent measure of invasion risk and assessed differences in variables between high‐ and low‐risk species.
Metabolic engineering of cobalamin (vitamin B12) production in Bacillus megaterium

Cobalamin (vitamin B12) production in Bacillus megaterium has served as a model system for the systematic evaluation of single and multiple directed molecular and genetic optimization strategies. Plasmid and genome‐based overexpression of genes involved in vitamin B12 biosynthesis, including cbiX, sirA, modified hemA, the operons hemAXCDBL and cbiXJCDETLFGAcysGAcbiYbtuR, and the regulatory gene fnr, significantly increased cobalamin production. To reduce flux along the heme branch of the tetrapyrrole pathway, an antisense RNA strategy involving silencing of the hemZ gene encoding coproporphyrinogen III oxidase was successfully employed. Feedback inhibition of the initial enzyme of the tetrapyrrole biosynthesis, HemA, by heme was overcome by stabilized enzyme overproduction. Similarly, the removal of the B12 riboswitch upstream of the cbiXJCDETLFGAcysGAcbiYbtuR operon and the recombinant production of three different vitamin B12 binding proteins (glutamate mutase GlmS, ribonucleotide triphosphate reductase RtpR and methionine synthase MetH) partly abolished B12‐dependent feedback inhibition. All these strategies increased cobalamin production in B. megaterium. Finally, combinations of these strategies enhanced the overall intracellular vitamin B12 concentrations but also reduced the volumetric cellular amounts by placing the organism under metabolic stress.
Towards Intelligent Environments: An Augmented Reality–Brain–Machine Interface Operated with a See-Through Head-Mount Display

The brain–machine interface (BMI) or brain–computer interface is a new interface technology that uses neurophysiological signals from the brain to control external machines or computers. This technology is expected to support daily activities, especially for persons with disabilities. To expand the range of activities enabled by this type of interface, here, we added augmented reality (AR) to a P300-based BMI. In this new system, we used a see-through head-mount display (HMD) to create control panels with flicker visual stimuli to support the user in areas close to controllable devices. When the attached camera detects an AR marker, the position and orientation of the marker are calculated, and the control panel for the pre-assigned appliance is created by the AR system and superimposed on the HMD. The participants were required to control system-compatible devices, and they successfully operated them without significant training. Online performance with the HMD was not different from that using an LCD monitor. Posterior and lateral (right or left) channel selections contributed to operation of the AR–BMI with both the HMD and LCD monitor. Our results indicate that AR–BMI systems operated with a see-through HMD may be useful in building advanced intelligent environments.
Diffusion of Open Access: Why are some disciplines more successful than others?

Since the first international statement on open access – the Budapest Open Access Initiative in February 2002, a growing number of open access publishing outlets have become available, and several policies in the European Union and the U.S. have been introduced to mandate the open access archiving of publicly funded research. In spite of these strides, research practices today are still far from completely embracing the open access movement. In this research in progress, we draw on models of the diffusion of changes in institutional practices across networks in order to understand how open source practices of unrestricted access to information and ideas have spread in the academic and research disciplines – in short, the diffusion of open access models of research dissemination across disciplines.
Effectiveness of Retropubic Tension-Free Vaginal Tape and Transobturator Inside-Out Tape Procedures in Women With Overactive Bladder and Stress Urinary Incontinence

Purpose We compared the effectiveness of the retropubic tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) and the transobturator inside-out tape (TVT-O) in treating symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods Women with urodynamic SUI and OAB (mean urgency episodes ≥1 and frequency ≥8/24 hours on a 3-day voiding diary) were assigned to the TVT or TVT-O group. Preoperative measures were based on a urodynamic study, 3-day voiding diary, the Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaire (BFLUTSSF), and the urgency perception scale (UPS). At 12 postoperative months, the 3-day voiding diary, symptoms questionnaire, patient satisfaction, and standing stress test were assessed. The primary endpoint was change in the number of urgency episodes/24 hours from baseline to 12 months. Results In this group of 132 women, 42 received TVT and 90 received TVT-O. The mean urgency episodes/24 hours decreased from 6.3±5.5 to 1.6±3.2 in the TVT group and from 5.1±4.4 to 1.8±3.0 in the TVT-O group. The mean percent change was significantly greater after TVT than after TVT-O (73% vs. 60%, P=0.049). All subscales of BFLUTSSF and UPS were significantly improved using either method, with significantly greater improvement seen in the quality of life (QoL) domain after TVT (P=0.002). There were no significant differences in the cure and satisfaction rates between the two groups. Conclusions Intervention with the TVT or the TVT-O significantly improved symptoms of OAB in women with SUI and OAB. Urgency and QoL significantly improved after TVT compared with that after TVT-O.
Adaptive Anomaly Detection of Coupled Activity Sequences

In this paper, we employ agent technology to develop a pattern mining system to detect abnormal trading activity patterns in the three coupled sequences including buy orders, sell orders and trades. The system uses six Hidden Markov Model(HMM)-based models to model the trading activity sequences in different ways: three standard HMMs for modeling single sequences respectively; an integrated HMM model combining all individual sequence-oriented HMMs; a Coupled HMM reflecting coupled relationships among sequences; and an Adaptive Coupled HMM to automatically capture the significant changes of activity sequences. The above six HMMbased models compete with each other. The outputs generated by the best model are used as the final outputs of system. The rest of this paper is organized as follows. We present the system framework in Section II. After Section III introduces the modeling of trading activity sequences by HMMbased methods, Section IV provides the approach to identify abnormal activity patterns using six HMM-based models. The model selection and evaluation are introduced in Section V, and the experimental results are given in Section VI. Finally, Section VII concludes this paper.
Increased Nek1 expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma cells is associated with decreased sensitivity to DNA-damaging treatment

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a heterogeneous disease with resistance to systemic chemotherapy. Elevated expression of multiple drug resistance (MDR) has been suggested to be one of the mechanisms for this resistance. Here, we provide an alternative mechanism to explain RCC's resistance to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Never-in mitosis A-related protein kinase 1 (Nek1) plays an important role in DNA damage response and proper checkpoint activation. The association of Nek1 with the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC1) is a critical determinant of cell survival following DNA-damaging treatment. We report here that Nek1 is highly expressed in RCC tumor and cultured RCC cells compared to that of normal renal tubular epithelial cells (RTE). The association between Nek1 and VDAC1 is genotoxic dependent: prolonged Nek1/VDAC1 dissociation will lead to VDAC1 dephosphorylation and initiate apoptosis. Down-regulation of Nek1 expression in RCC cells enhanced their sensitivity to DNA-damaging treatment. Collectively, these results suggest that the increased Nek1 expression in RCC cells maintain persistent VDAC1 phosphorylation, closing its channel and preventing the onset of apoptosis under genotoxic insults. Based on these results, we believe that Nek1 can serve as a potential therapeutic target for drug development in the treatment of RCC.
Input modeling with the Johnson System of distributions

This paper provides an introduction to the Johnson translation system of probability distributions, and it describes methods for using the Johnson system to model input processes in simulation experiments. The fitting methods based on available data are incorporated into the public-domain software package FITTR1. To handle situations in which little or no data is available, we present a visual interactive method for subjective distribution fitting that has been implemented in the public-domain software package VISIFIT. We present several examples illustrating the use of FITTR1 and VISIFIT for simulation input modeling.
Early prediction of urinary tract infection in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia

Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common manifestation of infectious disorders during the neonatal period. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the serious bacterial infections with hyperbilirubinemia among newborn infants. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the early predictive risk factors of UTI in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia, to prevent its long-term complications. Patients and Methods: A total of 95 neonatal hyperbilirubinemia were evaluated in 2 groups with (n = 40) and without UTI (n = 55). Results: Mean age at diagnosis of UTI was 16.37 ± 8.86 days. Hyperbilirubinemia was detected in 70% of patients during the first week of life. There was a significant difference regarding the age at admission, duration of hyperbilirubinemia, serum bilirubin and creatinine, white blood cells (WBC) , and also Hgb levels between the 2 groups in univariate analysis. However, prolonged jaundice (OR = 10.3, P = 0.001) and serum bilirubin concentration (OR = 5.15, P = 0.001) were statistically associated with a positive urine culture in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Screening of UTI is recommended in neonates with prolonged unexplained jaundice, leukocytosis, and increased serum creatinine.
Motor imagery ability in stroke patients: the relationship between implicit and explicit motor imagery measures

There is little consensus on how motor imagery ability should be measured in stroke patients. In particular it is unclear how two methods tapping different aspects of the motor imagery process relate to each other. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between implicit and explicit motor imagery ability by comparing performance of stroke patients and controls on a motor imagery questionnaire and a hand laterality judgment task (HLJT). Sixteen ischemic stroke patients (36 ± 13 weeks post-stroke) and 16 controls, matched by age (51 ± 10 years), gender (7 females) and handedness (3 left-handed), performed a HLJT and completed a motor imagery questionnaire. Our study shows that neither in the healthy controls nor in patients, a correlation is found between the HLJT and the motor imagery questionnaire. Although the patient group scored significantly lower than the control group on the visual motor imagery component (U = 60; p = 0.010) and the kinesthetic motor imagery component (U = 63.5; p = 0.015) of the questionnaire, there were no significant differences between patients and controls on accuracy scores of the HLJT. Analyses of the reaction time profiles of patients and controls showed that patient were still able to use an implicit motor imagery strategy in the HLJT task. Our results show that after stroke performance on tests that measure two different aspects of motor imagery ability, e.g., implicit and explicit motor imagery, can be differently affected. These results articulate the complex relation phenomenological experience and the different components of motor imagery have and caution the use of one tool as an instrument for use in screening, selecting and monitoring stroke patients in rehabilitation settings.
Price Elasticity of Demand for Term Life Insurance and Adverse Selection

This paper provides an empirical estimate of price' and risk' elasticities of demand for term life insurance for those who purchase some insurance. It finds that the elasticity with respect to changes in premiums is generally higher than the elasticity with respect to changes in risk. It also finds that the elasticity, in the range of -0.3 to -0.5, is sufficiently low that adverse selection in term life insurance is unlikely to lead to a death spiral and may not even lead to measured effects of adverse selection on total purchases.
Reducing Bias in a Propensity Score Matched-Pair Sample Using Greedy Matching Techniques

Matching members of a treatment group (cases) to members of a no treatment group (controls) is often used in observational studies to reduce bias and approximate a randomized trial. There is often a trade-off when matching cases to controls and two types of bias can be introduced. While trying to maximize exact matches, cases may be excluded due to incomplete matching. While trying to maximize cases, inexact matching may result. Bias is introduced by both incomplete matching and inexact matching. Propensity scores are being used in observational studies to reduce bias. It has been shown that matching on a propensity score can result in similar matched populations. This paper will describe how to reduce matched-pair bias caused by incomplete matching and inexact matching. Cases will be matched to controls on the propensity score using the presented matching algorithm. SAS/STAT LOGISTIC procedure code will be given to create the propensity score. A user-written SAS macro will be given to create a propensity score matchedpair sample using greedy matching techniques. The results of using the presented code, run on a large observational database of myocardial infarction patients, will be given as an example.
Value-Relevance of Fair Value Disclosures for Investments in Securities Accounted for Under the Equity Method

The objective of this study is to test the value-relevance of disclosed fair values of investments in publicly-traded equity securities accounted for under the equity method. We test for an association between alternative stock price metrics and fair value disclosures after controlling for recognized book values for a sample of non-financial firms during 1993-1997. The results indicate that stock prices are consistently positively associated with the difference between disclosed fair values and recognized book values. The results suggest that standard setters' concerns that there are unique valuation implications for investments in common stock that involve significant influence may not be warranted.
Combining N-Gram and Dependency Word Pair for Multi-document Summarization

This paper proposes a method for extractive multi-document summarization based on the combined features of n-grams co-occurrences and dependency word pairs co-occurrences. Unigram is the basic text unit, Big ram and skip-big ram reflect the word sequential relationships in the sentences, Dependency word pairs describe the syntactic relationships between words. The co-occurrences of each feature reflect the common topics of multiple documents in different perspective. The score of a sentence is the weighted sum of the features it contains. The summary is generated by extracting salient sentences based on the maximum significance score model. This approach obtains higher ROUGE scores than several well-known methods on the TAC summarization dataset.