Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic approximation of optimal portfolio for small time horizons

We consider the problem of portfolio optimization in a simple incomplete market and under a general utility function. By working with the associated Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman partial differential equation (HJB PDE), we obtain a closed-form formula for a trading strategy which approximates the optimal trading strategy when the time horizon is small. This strategy is generated by a first order approximation to the value function. The approximate value function is obtained by constructing classical sub- and super-solutions to the HJB PDE using a formal expansion in powers of horizon time. Martingale inequalities are used to sandwich the true value function between the constructed sub- and super-solutions. A rigorous proof of the accuracy of the approximation formulas is given. We end with a heuristic scheme for extending our small-time approximating formulas to approximating formulas in a finite time horizon.
A seven‐WD40 protein related to human RACK1 regulates mating and virulence in Ustilago maydis

In mammalian cells RACK1 serves as a scaffold protein that has a role in integrating inputs from different signalling pathways and affects translation through association with ribosomes. Ustilago maydis contains a seven‐WD40 repeat motif protein designated Rak1, which shows 68% identity to RACK1 and 51% identity to Asc1p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. An asc1 mutant could be complemented by introduction of U. maydis rak1. The deletion of rak1 affected cell growth, cell wall integrity and specifically attenuated cell fusion. This latter defect was caused by reduced expression of prf1 encoding the regulator for pheromone (mfa) and pheromone‐receptor genes. Rak1 interacts with a variety of ribosomal proteins and microarray analysis revealed that the deletion of rak1 led to severely reduced expression of rop1, a transcriptional activator of prf1. The constitutive expression of rop1 could rescue the defect of mfa1 expression as well as conjugation tube formation in response to pheromone induction in the rak1 mutant. Moreover, a solopathogenic rak1 mutant failed to respond to plant‐derived stimuli, resulting in attenuated filamentation and pathogenicity. This could be partially rescued by constitutive expression of the b heterodimer. These data suggest that rak1 is a regulator of rop1 expression with additional roles after cell fusion.
Adaption to Climate Change through Fallow Rotation in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

In this paper, we study the use of wheat land fallow production systems as a climate change adaptation strategy. Using data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture, we find that fallow is an important adaption strategy for wheat farms in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region. In particular, we find that a warmer and wetter climate increases the share of fallow in total cropland and thus reduces cropland in production. Our simulations project that, on average by 2050, the share of fallow (1.5 million acres in 2012) in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region will increase by 1.3% (0.12 million acres) under a medium climate change scenario and by 1.8% (0.16 million acres) under a high climate change scenario.
Stabilization of Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II through the Autoinhibitory Domain (*)

The active 30-kDa chymotryptic fragment of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II), devoid of the autoinhibitory domain, and the enzyme, autothiophosphorylated at Thr/Thr, were much more labile than was the original native enzyme. They were markedly stabilized by synthetic peptides, designed after the sequence around the autophosphorylation site in the autoinhibitory domain, such as autocamtide-2 and CaMK-(281-309), but such marked stabilizations were not observed with the ordinary exogenous substrates, such as syntide-2. These results suggest that the autoinhibitory domain of CaM kinase II plays a crucial role in stabilizing the enzyme. A nonphosphorylatable analog of autocamtide-2, AIP, strongly inhibited the activity of the 30-kDa fragment. Kinetic analysis revealed that the inhibition by AIP was competitive with respect to autocamtide-2 and CaMK-(281-289) and noncompetitive with respect to syntide-2 and ATP/Mg, suggesting that CaM kinase II possesses at least two distinct substrate-binding sites; one for ordinary exogenous substrates such as syntide-2 and the other for an endogenous substrate, the autophosphorylation site (Thr/Thr) in the autoinhibitory domain. Fluorescence analysis of the binding of 7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole-4-yl labeled AIP to the 30-kDa fragment also supported this contention. Thus, the autoinhibitory domain appears to play a crucial role in keeping the enzyme stable by binding to the substrate-binding site for the autophosphorylation site.
Effect of Management Practices on Actual ICT Application in Kenyan Hotels: A PLS-SEM Approach

ABSTRACT Advances in information communication technology (ICT) has seen many hotels invest huge sums of money in ICTs to enhance their performance. However, this has never been the case for most hotels in economically developing countries due to poor ICT implementation. This study sought to establish how ICT-related management practices influence actual ICT application by hotels in Kenya. A total of 194 hotel managers drawn from 36 hotels were surveyed. The data collected was analyzed quantitatively. The outcomes show that though operational management and human resource management practices significantly predict actual ICT application, HRM practices have the biggest effect in explaining the variance in actual ICT application. The study finding offer insights to best management practices and how they influence actual ICT use in hotels.
THE DUAL ROLE OF SELECTION AND EVOLUTIONARY HISTORY AS REFLECTED IN GENETIC CORRELATIONS

The patterns of genetic correlations between a series of eye and antenna characters were compared among two sets of spring‐dwelling and cave‐dwelling populations of Gammarus minus. The two sets of populations originate from different drainages and represent two separate invasions of cave habitats from surface‐dwelling populations. Matrix correlations, using permutation tests, indicated significant correlations both between populations in the same basin and from the same habitat. The technique of biplot, which allows for the simultaneous consideration of relationships between different genetic correlations and different populations, was used to further analyze the correlation structure. A rank‐3 biplot indicated that spring and cave populations were largely differentiated by eye‐antennal correlations, whereas basins were differentiated by both eye‐antennal and antennal‐antennal correlations. Eye‐antennal correlations, which are likely to be subject to selection, were most similar within habitats, which are likely to have similar selective regimes.
The Relationship between Non-financial Factors, Capital Structure and the Performance of the Listed Companies on the Stock Exchange

Capital structure is considered to be the most important parameter affecting the valuation of companies and their orientation in the capital markets. Companies in a similar industry are expected to employ fairly similar policies and strategies for financing and determining their own capital structure since they have the same activities as well as internal and external factors affecting them. Accordingly, the present study investigated the impact of the industry type and the company age on the capital structure and the impact of capital structure on the financial performance of 203 companies listed on the stock exchange. Finally, the financial ratios of 1007 institution-year in 27 industry codes were evaluated. The structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesis using partial least squares software. The results showed that there is no significant relationship between industry and the capital structure. However, there is a significant relationship between the age of the institution and the ratio of debt to equity at the level of P = 0.05. Moreover, no significant relationship was seen between the capital structure and the performance at the level of P = 0.05.
Interaction of endocannabinoid system and steroid Hormones in the control of colon cancer cell growth

Increasing evidence suggest the role of the cannabinoid receptors (CBs) in the control of cell survival or death and signaling pathways involved in tumor progression. Cancer cell lines are characterized by a subtle modulation of CB levels which produces a modified responsiveness to specific ligands, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these events are poorly and partially understood. We previously provided evidence that the endocannabinoid (EC) anandamide (AEA) exerts anti‐proliferative effect likely by modulation of the expression of genes involved in the cellular fate. In this study we focused on the role of the CB1 receptor, ECs, and steroids in the mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell growth inhibition in vitro. We demonstrated that, in DLD1 and SW620 cells, 17β‐estradiol induced a specific and strong up‐regulation of the CB1 receptor by triggering activation of the CB1 promoting region, localized at the exon 1 of the CNR1 gene. Moreover, treatment of DLD1 and SW620 cells with Met‐F‐AEA, a stable AEA‐analogous, or URB597, a selective inhibitor of FAAH, induced up‐regulation of CB1 expression by co‐localization of PPARγ and RXRα at the promoting region. Finally, increased availability of AEA, of both exogenous and endogenous sources, induced the expression of estrogen receptor‐beta in both cell lines. Our results partially elucidated the role of EC system in the molecular mechanisms enrolled by steroids in the inhibition of colon cancer cell growth and strongly suggested that targeting the EC system could represent a promising tool to improve the efficacy of CRC treatments. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 250–258, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outline of OROCHI: A Multiple Instruction Set Executable SMT Processor

In recent years, enjoying multimedia contents with portable devices become popular. These multimedia processing workloads are too heavy workload for a conventional processor so that current portable devices implement additional dedicated processor for multimedia processing. But we have to left conventional processor to execute OS and miscellaneous processing so that this solution enlarges cost, footprint, and power consumption compared to one chip solution. In this paper, we propose the processor called OROCHI which can execute two instruction sets simultaneously. The processor can execute VLIW instruction set for multimedia processing and conventional instruction set for OS and miscellaneous processing. In this paper, we introduce OROCHI processor which is based on a VLIW pipeline. The processor decodes either of the two instruction sets in its corresponding front end. After that, the processor decomposes and translates the conventional instructions and insert them into available slots in VLIW instructions. By these means, we can successfully unite the two processors of different purposes into one specific processor. As a result, we can reduce hardware cost, footprint, and power consumption to meet the rising demands of portable media processing market.
Study on Lamb wave propagation in single crystal silicon wafer using large aperture line focusing ultrasonic transducer

In this experiment, [100]. [110] and [111] single crystal silicon wafers were interrogated by line focused ultrasonic transducer with large aperture. Lamb waves generated in the wafers were detected by same transducer, and the rf signals, V (t, z) were acquired as varying defocusing distance. Since Lamb wave is dispersive, a numerous modes were mixed in the detected rf signal. A series of signal processing were carried out in order to separate mode. V (z) curve for a specific frequency were obtained from the V (f, z) which is FFT of V (t, z). Phase velocity can be obtained from the V (z) curves as similar method as used in acoustic microscopy. Finally phase velocity as a function of propagation direction can be determined by rotating the silicon wafers. Angular dependences of wavenumber in [100], [110] and [111] silicon wafer were obtained and shown in the figures. The angular dependences of Lamb wave phase velocity in [100], [110] and [111] silicon wafer were also obtained and shown in the figures. These results show good agreements with the crystalline orientation of silicon wafers. As conclusion, line focusing ultrasonic transducer with large aperture is an epoch tool for the evaluating anisotropic plates.
Combination Small Molecule MEK and PI3K Inhibition Enhances Uveal Melanoma Cell Death in a Mutant GNAQ- and GNA11-Dependent Manner

Purpose: Activating Q209L/P mutations in GNAQ or GNA11 (GNAQ/11) are present in approximately 80% of uveal melanomas. Mutant GNAQ/11 are not currently therapeutically targetable. Inhibiting key down-stream effectors of GNAQ/11 represents a rational therapeutic approach for uveal melanomas that harbor these mutations. The mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal–regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK/MAPK) and PI3K/AKT pathways are activated in uveal melanoma. In this study, we test the effect of the clinically relevant small molecule inhibitors GSK1120212 (MEK inhibitor) and GSK2126458 (pan class I PI3K inhibitor) on uveal melanoma cells with different GNAQ/11 mutation backgrounds. Experimental Design: We use the largest set of genetically annotated uveal melanoma cell lines to date to carry out in vitro cellular signaling, cell-cycle regulation, growth, and apoptosis analyses. RNA interference and small molecule MEK and/or PI3K inhibitor treatment were used to determine the dependency of uveal melanoma cells with different GNAQ/11 mutation backgrounds on MEK/MAPK and/or PI3K/AKT signaling. Proteomic network analysis was done to unveil signaling alterations in response to MEK and/or PI3K small molecule inhibition. Results: GNAQ/11 mutation status was not a determinant of whether cells would undergo cell-cycle arrest or growth inhibition to MEK and/or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibition. A reverse correlation was observed between MAPK and AKT phosphorylation after MEK or PI3K inhibition, respectively. Neither MEK nor PI3K inhibition alone was sufficient to induce apoptosis in the majority of cell lines; however, the combination of MEK + PI3K inhibitor treatment resulted in the marked induction of apoptosis in a GNAQ/11 mutant–dependent manner. Conclusions: MEK + PI3K inhibition may be an effective combination therapy in uveal melanoma, given the inherent reciprocal activation of these pathways within these cells. Clin Cancer Res; 18(16); 4345–55. ©2012 AACR.
Dynamic Strategy for Efficiency Estimation in a CCM-Operated Front-End PFC Converter for Electric Vehicle Onboard Charger

This paper presents a method for efficiency estimation of boost-derived continuous conduction mode power factor correction (CCM-PFC) converters for electric vehicle (EV) onboard chargers. The proposed methodology incorporates converter nonidealities, especially caused by magnetic components. The value of magnetizing inductance in an inductor or transformer core does not remain constant over variable current levels, which causes nonuniform power losses at different current levels. The method proposed in this paper considers a time-variant inductance over various current levels and accordingly establishes a dynamic model of loss estimation. As a proof-of-concept verification, the approach is applied to three different PFC topologies for EV applications and the estimated conversion efficiencies exhibit good agreement with experimentally obtained efficiency values over a wide range of load power from 400 W to 4.6 kW. The deviation of the efficiency predicted from the experimental data is considerably lower in comparison with the existing estimation methods with fixed inductance assumption.
Influence of Surgical Resection and Post-Operative Complications on Survival following Adjuvant Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer in the ESPAC-1 Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aims: The influence of type of surgery and occurrence of post-operative complications on survival following adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer are uncertain. Methods: Cox proportional hazard modelling was used to investigate the influence of type of surgery and the presence of complications on survival in conjunction with clinico-pathological variables in the 550 patients of the ESPAC-1 adjuvant randomized controlled trial. Results: Standard Kausch-Whipple (KW) was performed in 282 (54%) patients, 186 (35%) had a pylorus-preserving (PP) KW, 39 (7%) had a distal pancreatectomy and 21 (4%) had a total pancreatectomy. Post-operative complications were reported in 140 (27%) patients. PP-KW patients survived longer with a median (95% CI) survival of 19.9 (17.3, 23.1) months compared to 14.8 (13.0, 16.7) for KW patients (χ2LR = 15.1, p < 0.001). KW patients were more likely however to have R1 margins (67 (24%) vs. 29 (16%), χ2 = 4.59, p = 0.032), poorly differentiated tumours (70 (26%) vs. 19 (10%), χ2 = 18.65, p < 0.001) and positive lymph nodes (165 (60%) vs. 81 (44%), χ2 = 11.32, p < 0.001). Post-operative complications did not significantly affect survival. Independent prognostic factors were tumour grade, nodal status and tumour size but not type of surgery or post-operative complications. There was a survival benefit for chemotherapy irrespective of the type of surgery or post-operative complications. Conclusions: The KW and PP-KW procedures did not significantly influence the hazard of death in the presence of tumour staging, demonstrating that ESPAC-1 surgeons showed good judgement in their choice of operation. Post-operative complications did not adversely affect the survival benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.
Enhancing the acceptance of interactive online learning of hearing-impaired students

Interactive online learning environment with audiovisual multimedia has improved significantly in increasing learning effectiveness. However, for hearing-impaired students who have difficulties in internet multimedia systems associated with audio and visual information require further design to overcome their limitation. To this end, the present study develops an interactive online learning environment to increase accessibility and interactivity for hearing-impaired students based on hyperlink techniques, modular concepts and online discussions. In particular, for increasing accessibility, in Course Design, to capture attention and arouse interests, 1) we provide pre-course briefing with sign language and lip language, and displaying learning outcome, for reducing cognitive loading, and 2) categorize topics and simplify course contents, for providing enough time to comprehend, moreover, we add 3)self-assessment and online forum as synchronized discussion. For increasing interactivity, in Interface Design, we provide 4) index buttons for fast understanding of course outline and 5) self selection of course, and 6) impressive visual guide to highlight important points and to help comprehension of course contents. Our empirical experiments based on 60 hearing-impaired students showed that the abovementioned five enhancement designs have significant increase their intention to use interactive online learning environment manifested in Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The results showed that the accessibility and interactivity respectively produced significant effects on perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, and then that the hearing-impaired students felt helpful and intended to use the interactive online learning environment as often as needed. However, it was also found that perceived ease of use did not produce direct effects on the hearing-impaired students' intention to use. The implication in design better online learning environment for particular users and contribution in developing orange technology of learning are discussed.
De facto protection for academic freedom in the U.K.: empirical evidence in a comparative context

This analysis, which uses similar surveys to gather comparable data from over 2000 UCU members and 5000 staff in universities of the European states, demonstrates that the low level of de jure protection for academic freedom in the UK is mirrored by an equally poor (if not worse) level of de facto protection. The reality is that, in the overwhelming majority of instances, UCU members report statistically significantly higher levels of systematic abuse of their academic freedom, across a wide array of measures, than their European counterparts. For example, 23% of UCU respondents (and 14.1% of EU respondents) reported being bullied on account of their academic views, 26.6% of UCU respondents reported being subjected to psychological pressure (EU = 15.7%), while 35.5% of the UCU cohort admitted to self-censorship, for fear of negative repercussions, such as loss of privileges, demotion, physical harm (EU= 19.1%). Some of this abuse may be attributable to a lack of knowledge of academic freedom rights among staff – only 41.7% of the UCU cohort claimed to have an adequate working knowledge of academic freedom (EU= 49.2), while less than half that proportion (20.6%) knew about the 1988 Education Reform Act, which supposedly protects academic freedom in the UK. Not surprisingly, 81.6% of UCU respondents said they would welcome additional information on the concept of academic freedom and its rights and responsibilities. Furthermore, UCU members are much more likely to strongly agree than their European counterparts that the major elements of academic freedom (freedom for teaching and research, autonomy, shared governance and employment protection) have declined. Work elsewhere suggests two possible options to ameliorate this situation. First, awareness raising about academic freedom among UCU members, along with the provision of explanatory information and training materials. Second, an appeal to UNESCO that the UK government does not meet its obligations under the 1997 Recommendation (of which it is a signatory state). The stark differences between the UK and the EU, in terms of de jure protection and de facto realities, both demonstrate the necessity for such an approach and provide a highly credible basis for such an appeal. This strategy was successfully adopted by the Dansk Magisterforening, the Danish academic professional association, and led to an independent expert evaluation of the legal protection for academic freedom, and change in the law.
Approximate partitioning of observations in hierarchical particle filter body tracking

This paper presents a model-based hierarchical particle filtering algorithm to estimate the pose and anthropometric parameters of humans in multi-view environments. Our method incorporates a novel likelihood measurement approach consisting of an approximate partitioning of observations. Provided that a partitioning of the human body model has been defined and associates body parts to state space variables, the proposed method estimates image regions that are relevant to that body part and thus to the state space variables of interest. The proposed regions are bounding boxes and consequently can be efficiently processed in a GPU. The algorithm is tested in a challenging dataset involving people playing tennis (TennisSense) and also in the well-known HumanEva dataset. The obtained results show the effectiveness of the proposed method.