Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Predictable Components in Excess Returns on Equity and Foreign Exchange Markets

The paper characterizes predictable components in excess rates of returns on major equity and foreign exchange markets using lagged excess returns, dividend yields, and forward premiums as instruments. Vector autoregressive techniques demonstrate one-step-ahead predictability and provide implied long-horizon statistics. We estimate latent variable models as constrained counterparts to the VARs. The predictability of returns is related to asset pricing models by examining the volatility bounds on intertemporal marginal rates of substitution.
Return-to-work challenges following a work-related mild TBI: The injured worker perspective

Abstract Primary objective: To explore how individuals with work-related mild traumatic brain injury (wrMTBI) experience return-to-work (RTW) processes when returning to the workplace where the injury occurred. Design: RTW experiences were explored using in-depth interviews and an inductive analytic approach. Qualitative analysis guided by the research question moved through phases of line-by-line and thematic coding through which categories and the interaction between categories emerged. Participants: Twelve workers diagnosed with a wrMTBI reported on their RTW experiences following wrMTBIs that occurred 3–5 years prior to the time of the interview. Main outcomes and results: Participants perceived employer and workers’ compensation factors as profoundly influencing their RTW experiences. Participants consistently reported that employers and workers’ compensation representatives had an inadequate understanding of wrMTBI sequelae. Six of 12 participants were re-injured following their wrMTBI, with three of these injuries occurring at work. Conclusion: Employers, co-workers and workers’ compensation representatives should be aware of wrMTBI sequelae so injured workers can receive appropriate supports and both stigmatization and re-injury can be mitigated. Greater attention to the structural and social elements of workplace and compensation environments could inform strategies to break down barriers to successful return-to-work following a wrMTBI.
Financial Inclusion Status of Bangladesh: An Empirical Study

This paper is commissioned to analyze the present financial inclusion status of Bangladesh. The research draws attention to the fact that despite of increasing number of Bank Branches in the country the change in the Financial Inclusion Index is not satisfactory. There is a negative change in the inclusion index in 33 districts of the country. 4 of the districts reported with no change in the index value compared to year 2011 and 2014. Despite being commercially important to the economy the number of un-banked or under-banked population is significantly high. The absence of formal banking solution in those areas is forcing the entrepreneurs to borrow money from the informal channel at a higher cost which is demoralizing the entrepreneurial spirit of the population and thereby hindering growth of that region. Keywords: Banking in Bangladesh Financial Inclusion, Financial Inclusion Index, Banking policy.
Identification of differential translation in genome wide studies

Regulation of gene expression through translational control is a fundamental mechanism implicated in many biological processes ranging from memory formation to innate immunity and whose dysregulation contributes to human diseases. Genome wide analyses of translational control strive to identify differential translation independent of cytosolic mRNA levels. For this reason, most studies measure genes’ translation levels as log ratios (translation levels divided by corresponding cytosolic mRNA levels obtained in parallel). Counterintuitively, arising from a mathematical necessity, these log ratios tend to be highly correlated with the cytosolic mRNA levels. Accordingly, they do not effectively correct for cytosolic mRNA level and generate substantial numbers of biological false positives and false negatives. We show that analysis of partial variance, which produces estimates of translational activity that are independent of cytosolic mRNA levels, is a superior alternative. When combined with a variance shrinkage method for estimating error variance, analysis of partial variance has the additional benefit of having greater statistical power and identifying fewer genes as translationally regulated resulting merely from unrealistically low variance estimates rather than from large changes in translational activity. In contrast to log ratios, this formal analytical approach estimates translation effects in a statistically rigorous manner, eliminates the need for inefficient and error-prone heuristics, and produces results that agree with biological function. The method is applicable to datasets obtained from both the commonly used polysome microarray method and the sequencing-based ribosome profiling method.
A novel de novo mutation in the desmin gene causes desmin myopathy with toxic aggregates

Objective: To determine the cause and pathogenic mechanisms of a 21-year-old patient’s cardioskeletal myopathy. The patient’s muscle atrophy and weakness began in distal parts of limbs; cardiac and facial muscles were later involved. Background: Desmin myopathy is a skeletal myopathy often associated with cardiomyopathy, caused by mutations in the desmin gene and characterized by desmin accumulation in affected muscle fibers, a leading marker of myofibrillar myopathies. Two kinds of deletions and seven missense mutations in the desmin gene have been identified. Methods: Clinical examination, electron microscopy of muscle tissue, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, restriction enzyme analysis, and gene transfection were performed. Results: Electron microscopy showed disruption of sarcomeres at Z discs and electron-dense aggregates in biopsied skeletal and heart muscle. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the patient’s skeletal muscle proteins showed massive accumulation of desmin. The authors identified a novel desmin mutation, L385P in one allele in the carboxyl end of the rod domain 2B in the patient’s leukocytes and skeletal muscle; neither parent had the mutation. Serologic study and DNA markers confirmed the de novo mutation. A peptide harboring desmin rod domains 2A and 2B with L385P tagged with green fluorescent protein induced cytoplasmic aggregates, nuclear DNA condensation, and cell death. Conclusions: A novel de novo mutation, L385P, causes desmin myopathy. An expression study indicated the toxic effect of the L385P mutation.
The effects of combined antioxidant (β‐carotene, α‐tocopherol and ascorbic acid) supplementation on antioxidant capacity, DNA single‐strand breaks and levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐1/IGF‐binding protein 3 in the ferret model of lung cancer

Insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and its major binding protein, IGF binding protein 3 (IGFBP‐3) are implicated in lung cancer and other malignancies. We have previously shown that the combination of three major antioxidants [β‐carotene (BC), α‐tocopherol (AT) and ascorbic acid (AA)] can prevent lung carcinogenesis in a 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK)‐treated and smoke‐exposed (SM) ferret model, which is highly analogous to humans. The present study is aimed at determining the effect of the combination of BC, AT and AA on antioxidant capacity, lymphocyte DNA damage, plasma IGF‐1 and IGFBP‐3 concentrations, as well as on IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 mRNA expression in the tissues (lung and liver) of the ferrets. Ferrets were treated with or without combined antioxidant (BC, AT and AA) supplementation (AOX) for 6 months in the following 4 groups: (i) control; (ii) SM+NNK; (iii) AOX; and (iv) SM+NNK+AOX. Combined AOX supplementation significantly attenuated SM+NNK induced lymphocyte DNA damage in the ferret, while increasing resistance to oxidative damage when challenged with H2O2 in vitro. Ferrets treated with SM+NNK had significantly lower IGFBP‐3 mRNA expression in lungs, whereas there was significantly higher IGFBP‐3 mRNA expression in the liver, as well as higher circulating IGFBP‐3 concentrations. Combined AOX supplementation did not affect the plasma or tissue (lung and liver) ratio of IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3. Combined antioxidant supplementation provides protection against smoke‐induced oxidative DNA damage, but does not affect the IGF‐1/IGFBP‐3 system. Differential expression of IGFBP‐3 in different tissues indicates that caution should be taken when using plasma IGFBP‐3 as a biomarker of tissue status. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of the factor structure and psychometric properties of the brief symptom inventory—18 with homebound older adults

Homebound older adults are at high risk for depression and anxiety. Systematic screening may increase identification of these difficulties and facilitate service usage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the Brief Symptom Inventory—18 (BSI‐18) for use as a screening instrument for depression and anxiety with homebound older adults and to examine if the BSI‐18 could be shortened further and exhibit comparable psychometric properties.
Secure device-to-device communication in LTE-A

The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami drastically changed Japanese society, and the requirements for ICT was completely redefined. After the disaster, it was impossible for disaster victims to utilize their communication devices, such as cellular phones, tablet computers, or laptop computers, to notify their families and friends of their safety and confirm the safety of their loved ones since the communication infrastructures were physically damaged or lacked the energy necessary to operate. Due to this drastic event, we have come to realize the importance of device-to-device communications. With the recent increase in popularity of D2D communications, many research works are focusing their attention on a centralized network operated by network operators and neglect the importance of decentralized infrastructureless multihop communication, which is essential for disaster relief applications. In this article, we propose the concept of multihop D2D communication network systems that are applicable to many different wireless technologies, and clarify requirements along with introducing open issues in such systems. The first generation prototype of relay by smartphone can deliver messages using only users' mobile devices, allowing us to send out emergency messages from disconnected areas as well as information sharing among people gathered in evacuation centers. The success of field experiments demonstrates steady advancement toward realizing user-driven networking powered by communication devices independent of operator networks.
Ethyl 2-methyl-5-oxo-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydroquinoline-3-carboxylate

In the mol-ecular structure of the title compound, C(22)H(27)NO(6), the dihydro-pyridine ring adopts a flattened boat conformation while the cyclo-hexenone ring is in an envelope conformation. In the crystal, mol-ecules stack parallel to the crystallographic a axis linked by inter-molecular N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.
Pattern of mutation in the genome of influenza A virus on adaptation to increased virulence in the mouse lung: Identification of functional themes

The genetic basis for virulence in influenza virus is largely unknown. To explore the mutational basis for increased virulence in the lung, the H3N2 prototype clinical isolate, A/HK/1/68, was adapted to the mouse. Genomic sequencing provided the first demonstration, to our knowledge, that a group of 11 mutations can convert an avirulent virus to a virulent variant that can kill at a minimal dose. Thirteen of the 14 amino acid substitutions (93%) detected among clonal isolates were likely instrumental in adaptation because of their positive selection, location in functional regions, and/or independent occurrence in other virulent influenza viruses. Mutations in virulent variants repeatedly involved nuclear localization signals and sites of protein and RNA interaction, implicating them as novel modulators of virulence. Mouse-adapted variants with the same hemagglutinin mutations possessed different pH optima of fusion, indicating that fusion activity of hemagglutinin can be modulated by other viral genes. Experimental adaptation resulted in the selection of three mutations that were in common with the virulent human H5N1 isolate A/HK/156/97 and that may be instrumental in its extreme virulence. Analysis of viral adaptation by serial passage appears to provide the identification of biologically relevant mutations.
Action of Disinfectant Quaternary Ammonium Compounds against Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Mode-of-action studies concluded that alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC) (a blend of C12, C14 and C16 alkyl homologues) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) are both membrane-active agents, possessing subtly different modes of action reflecting early cell interactions against Staphylococcus aureus. ADBAC and DDAC exhibited similar MIC behaviors from 0.4 ppm to 1.8 ppm over an inoculum range of 1 × 105 to 1 × 109 CFU/ml at 35°C. For ADBAC and DDAC, an increased rapidity of killing against S. aureus (final concentration, 2 × 109 CFU/ml) was observed at 35°C compared to 25°C. Concentration exponents (η) for killing were <2.5 for both agents, and temperature influenced the η value. Examination of leakage and kill data suggested that a single leakage marker was not indicative of cell death. ADBAC and DDAC possessed Langmuir (L4) and high-affinity (H3/4) uptake isotherms, respectively. ADBAC molecules formed a single monolayer of coverage of cells at the end of primary uptake, and DDAC formed a double monolayer. Rapid cell leakage occurred at bactericidal concentrations, with total depletion of the intracellular potassium and 260-nm-absorbing pools released in this strict order. Autolysis was observed for ADBAC and DDAC at concentrations of 9 μg/ml (0.0278 mM and 0.0276 mM, respectively) and above, together with the depletion of approximately 30% of the internal potassium pool. Autolysis contributed to ADBAC and DDAC lethality, although high biocide concentrations may have inhibited autolytic enzyme activity.
Design of polynomial controllers for a two-link robot arm using sum-of-squares approachs

This paper proposes the design of polynomial fuzzy controller for an MIMO two-link arm using sum-of-squares (SOS) approach. The polynomial fuzzy framework is utilized to represent the equation of the two-link robot arm, which is more general and effective than well-known Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model. The polynomial Lyapunov approach is applied to analyze and derive the stability conditions of the polynomial fuzzy system, which is more relaxed than linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach to T-S fuzzy modeling and control. According to the SOS approach, the parallel distributed compensation (PDC) controller is obtained to track the state trajectory of a reference model.
An overview of Non-intrusive load monitoring methodologies

Load monitoring is essential in every energy consuming system. Traditional load monitoring system, which used to be intrusive in nature require the installation of sensor to every load of interest which makes the system to be costly and time consuming. Nonintrusive load monitoring (NILM) system uses the aggregated measurement at the utility service entry to identify and disaggregate the appliances connected in the building, which means only one set of sensors is required and it does not require entrance into the consumer premises. Having studied much and working in the area, this paper aim to provide a comprehensive review of the state of art of NILM, the different methods applied by researchers so far, before concluding with the future research direction, which include automatic home energy saving using NILM.
Targeted Topical Steroid Therapy in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective To treat patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNL) who failed oral prednisone therapy by using a round window membrane (RWM) microcatheter. This topical delivery strategy sought to improve effectiveness of steroid treatment to the inner ear by targeting drug delivery to the RWM. Study Design Nonrandomized prospective design. Setting Tertiary care facility. Patients Six patients with severe unilateral SSHL, five of whom were refractory to a course of oral steroid therapy treated within 6 weeks of SSHL and three additional patients treated more than 6 weeks after SSHL. Intervention Therapeutic use of RWM catheter. Main Outcome Measures Pure-tone averages (PTAs) and word identification scores (WIS). Results Five of the six patients treated within 6 weeks of SSHL improved their WIS. Of the six, four returned to baseline hearing, one recovered hearing that could benefit by hearing amplification, and one regained moderate improvement in PTA but not WIS. Conclusion Targeted topical steroid administration avoids the significant systemic side effects of oral steroids and may offer more effective dosing than simple transtympanic injection of medicine. Although these findings are preliminary, it is possible that after further study, targeted drug delivery may be a useful technique to consider in patients with severe to profound hearing loss that have failed all other management options.
HPV16 E6 and E7 Upregulate Interferon-Induced Antiviral Response Genes ISG15 and IFIT1 in Human Trophoblast Cells

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is suggested to infect trophoblasts in the placenta, and HPV infections are reported to be more prevalent in pregnancies with adverse outcomes. Results are however controversial, and studies investigating the molecular consequences of placental HPV infections are lacking. We studied HPV DNA localization in the placenta in cases of spontaneous abortion/spontaneous preterm delivery as well as in elective abortion/normal full-term delivery. Using in vitro assays, we investigated downstream effects of HPV16 E6 and E7 expression in trophoblast cells at the gene expression level in order to gain increased biological insight into the interaction between HPV and the cellular host. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), combined with fluorescent immunohistochemistry (FIHC) to target the trophoblast marker CK7 clearly showed, that HPV DNA resides within syncytiotrophoblast cells in the placenta. In vitro HPV16 E6 and E7-transfected trophoblasts were analyzed by RNA sequencing, and results were validated by reverse transcription real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for selected genes in cell lines, as well as in patient material. We show that HPV16 E6 and E7 upregulate interferon-induced antiviral response genes ISG15 and IFIT1 in a human trophoblast cell line two-days post-transfection. This is a response that is not observed when assessing the gene expression levels of the same genes in HPV16-positive placenta samples. Investigations on viral activity find that HPV16 E6 and E7 are not transcribed in patients, possibly suggesting that HPV16 syncytiotrophoblast infection may be latent. We conclude that HPV localizes to syncytiotrophoblast cells of the placenta, and that active expression of HPV16 E6 and E7 induce an immediate interferon-induced antiviral response in trophoblast cells, which is not present in HPV-positive placenta samples, suggesting latent infection.
Overfeeding-Induced Obesity in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: An Animal Model of the Human Metabolic Syndrome

Background/Aims: The metabolic syndrome (MS) has become an epidemiological problem in Western countries. We developed a diet-induced obese rat model that mimics all the symptoms of MS in humans, but whose insulin resistance, hyperphagia and hyperleptinemia are caused by nutrition rather than genetic modifications. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were allowed for 12 weeks to choose between a cafeteria diet (CD, 20.3 kJ/g) and standard rat chow (11.7 kJ/g). Controls received rat chow. Results: Body weight (BW) exceeded control levels when SHR were fed with CD. The increase in BW was attributed to enhanced energy intake. The abundance of abdominal fat as well as the plasma levels of leptin and triglycerides increased concomitant with glucose, insulin and C-peptide. This prediabetic condition was further confirmed by a markedly increased insulin response following glucose challenge and by impaired glucose utilization after insulin tolerance tests. Conclusion: Increases in food intake and BW despite hyperleptinemia indicate leptin resistance following CD feeding. CD-fed SHR feature leptin and insulin resistance, hypertension and obesity, thus mimicking the situation of MS patients. As such, our model is more suitable than the genetically modified rat models used to study human MS.
ANG4043, a Novel Brain-Penetrant Peptide–mAb Conjugate, Is Efficacious against HER2-Positive Intracranial Tumors in Mice

Anti-HER2 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) have been shown to reduce tumor size and increase survival in patients with breast cancer, but they are ineffective against brain metastases due to poor brain penetration. In previous studies, we identified a peptide, known as Angiopep-2 (An2), which crosses the blood–brain barrier (BBB) efficiently via receptor-mediated transcytosis, and, when conjugated, endows small molecules and peptides with this property. Extending this strategy to higher molecular weight biologics, we now demonstrate that a conjugate between An2 and an anti-HER2 mAb results in a new chemical entity, ANG4043, which retains in vitro binding affinity for the HER2 receptor and antiproliferative potency against HER2-positive BT-474 breast ductal carcinoma cells. Unlike the native mAb, ANG4043 binds LRP1 clusters and is taken up by LRP1-expressing cells. Measuring brain exposure after intracarotid delivery, we demonstrate that the new An2–mAb conjugate penetrates the BBB with a rate of brain entry (Kin) of 1.6 × 10−3 mL/g/s. Finally, in mice with intracranially implanted BT-474 xenografts, systemically administered ANG4043 increases survival. Overall, this study demonstrates that the incorporation of An2 to the anti-HER2 mAb confers properties of increased uptake in brain endothelial cells as well as BBB permeability. These characteristics of ANG4043 result in higher exposure levels in BT-474 brain tumors and prolonged survival following systemic treatment. Moreover, the data further validate the An2–drug conjugation strategy as a way to create brain-penetrant biologics for neuro-oncology and other CNS indications. Mol Cancer Ther; 14(1); 129–40. ©2014 AACR.
Accurate heart rate estimation from camera recording via MUSIC algorithm

In this paper, we propose an algorithm to extract heart rate frequency from video camera using the Multiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) algorithm. This leads to improved accuracy of the estimated heart rate frequency in cases the performance is limited by the number of samples and frame rate. Monitoring vital signs remotely can be exploited for both non-contact physiological and psychological diagnosis. The color variation recorded by ordinary cameras is used for heart rate monitoring. The orthogonality between signal space and noise space is used to find more accurate heart rate frequency in comparison with traditional methods. It is shown via experimental results that the limitation of previous methods can be overcome by using subspace methods.