Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Using Multiple Discriminant Analysis to Construct a Statistical Model for Predicting Bank Loan Repay and Default Customers in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Banks that lend to small businesses and individuals need to quickly assess the creditworthiness of prospective borrowers so as to reduce the probability of issuing bad loans while attempting to maintain their own profitability. It was for these reasons that credit institutions have made several attempts at modeling and reliably forecasting credit default using numerous statistical approaches. The objective of the study was to develop a model which could be used to identify likely future defaulters. The population for the study was all financial institutions were in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A number of banks that could give the needed data for the study was purposefully chosen and a random sample of 150 customers were randomly selected to provide data on the study variables which include customers’ financial standing, reason to loan, employment and demographic information. The statistical model obtained indicated four important influences - total asset, total income, family size and number of years with current employer as the most discriminating variables between the repay and default group. The validity of the model was confirmed using several diagnostic analytical procedures. The importance of examining a model’s sensitivity and specificity in the context of one’s specific, real-world objectives was also discussed. Keywords : Loan repay and default; Creditworthiness; Prospective borrowers; Statistical models in banking; Multiple discriminant analysis.
Nuclear receptors and drug metabolism for the personalization of cancer therapy

ABSTRACT Introduction: A remarkable inter-individual variability in the occurrence of severe side effects represents an ongoing challenge in cancer treatment. Significant research efforts have focused on elucidating the contribution of the host genetic variability, but only a few markers have been identified for use in clinical practice. Several studies demonstrated that PXR and CAR activation can affect the expression of genes involved in absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) of antineoplastic drugs. The study of the host genetic background of Pregnane X Receptor (PXR; NR1I2) and Constitutive Androstane Receptor (CAR; NR1I3 and NR1I4), represents a new and attractive strategy to discern variability in ADME of antineoplastic drugs. Areas covered: An update of the most important findings about investigational CAR and PXR pharmacogenetic markers of anti-cancer drugs toxicity is provided. Expert opinion: A differential activation of PXR and CAR can affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antineoplastic drugs. Pharmacogenetics studies published up to date provide encouraging even if exploratory results. Future large and prospective studies will clarify the clinical value of PXR and CAR genetic markers in treatment personalization.
The Terpene Synthase Gene Family of Carrot (Daucus carota L.): Identification of QTLs and Candidate Genes Associated with Terpenoid Volatile Compounds

Terpenes are an important group of secondary metabolites in carrots influencing taste and flavor, and some of them might also play a role as bioactive substances with an impact on human physiology and health. Understanding the genetic and molecular basis of terpene synthases (TPS) involved in the biosynthesis of volatile terpenoids will provide insights for improving breeding strategies aimed at quality traits and for developing specific carrot chemotypes possibly useful for pharmaceutical applications. Hence, a combination of terpene metabolite profiling, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS), and genome-wide association study (GWAS) was used in this work to get insights into the genetic control of terpene biosynthesis in carrots and to identify several TPS candidate genes that might be involved in the production of specific monoterpenes. In a panel of 85 carrot cultivars and accessions, metabolite profiling was used to identify 31 terpenoid volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in carrot leaves and roots, and a GBS approach was used to provide dense genome-wide marker coverage (>168,000 SNPs). Based on this data, a total of 30 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) was identified for 15 terpenoid volatiles. Most QTLs were detected for the monoterpene compounds ocimene, sabinene, β-pinene, borneol and bornyl acetate. We identified four genomic regions on three different carrot chromosomes by GWAS which are both associated with high significance (LOD ≥ 5.91) to distinct monoterpenes and to TPS candidate genes, which have been identified by homology-based gene prediction utilizing RNA-seq data. In total, 65 TPS candidate gene models in carrot were identified and assigned to known plant TPS subfamilies with the exception of TPS-d and TPS-h. TPS-b was identified as largest subfamily with 32 TPS candidate genes.
Too Big to Fail and Optimal Regulation

Abstract This paper analyzes the optimal regulation for “Too Big to Fail” (TBTF) in a simple model. As the government cannot credibly commit to no bail-out during crises, banks have an incentive to become excessively large ex-ante. In this case, no single policy can fully eliminate the inefficiencies from TBTF. The optimal regulation for the first-best allocation features a capital requirement and an issuance of Contingent Convertible Bonds (CoCos) where the former addresses the moral hazard issue from government bailouts and the latter improves risk-sharing. Moreover, a combination of the capital requirement and size regulation can implement a second-best allocation where the government has to bail out the banking sector but the social cost of bail-out is internalized by the banks. In this case, the capital requirement forces banks to internalize the bailout cost while the size regulation directly discourages banks to become large.
Language model representations for beam-search decoding

This paper presents an efficient way of representing a bigram language model for a beam-search based, continuous speech, large vocabulary HMM recognizer. The tree-based topology considered takes advantage of a factorization of the bigram probability derived from the bigram interpolation scheme, and of a tree organization of all the words that can follow a given one. Moreover, an optimization algorithm is used to considerably reduce the space requirements of the language model. Experimental results are provided for two 10,000-word dictation tasks: radiological reporting (perplexity 27) and newspaper dictation (perplexity 120). In the former domain 93% word accuracy is achieved with real-time response and 23 Mb process space. In the newspaper dictation domain, 88.1% word accuracy is achieved with 1.41 real-time response and 38 Mb process space. All recognition tests were performed on an HP-735 workstation.
Evidence for charged B meson decays to a1±(1260)π0 and a10(1260)π±

We present measurements of the branching fractions for the decays B±→a1±(1260)π0 and B±→a10(1260)π± from a data sample of 232×106 BB pairs produced in e+e- annihilation through the Υ(4S) resonance. We measure the branching fraction B(B±→a1±(1260)π0)×B(a1±(1260) →π-π+π±)=(13.2±2.7±2.1)×10-6 with a significance of 4. 2σ, and the branching fraction B(B±→ a10(1260)π±)×B(a10(1260)→π-π+π0)=(20.4±4. 7±3.4)×10-6 with a significance of 3. 8σ, where the first error quoted is statistical and the second is systematic. © 2007 The American Physical Society.
The Prize-collecting Call Control Problem on Weighted Lines and Rings

Given a set of request calls with different demands and penalty costs, the prize-collecting call control (PCCC) problem is to minimize the sum of the maximum load on the edges and the total penalty cost of the rejected calls. In this paper, we prove that the PCCC problem on weighted lines is NP -hard even for special cases, and design a 1.582-approximation algorithm using a randomized rounding technique. In addition, we consider some special cases of the PCCC problem on weighted lines and rings.
Performance-Based Payments, Provider Motivation and Quality of Care in Afghanistan

Background: Access to health services depends to a large extent on availability of the health workforce. Shortage and low performance of individual health workers are often linked to low motivation. At the same time, it seems that intrinsically motivated health workers can make a positive difference in access to and quality of health services, even in settings with few resources. However, there has been some difficulty in producing strong evidence on the impact of motivation on health workers’ performance. To a large extent this is due to measurement challenges as latent constructs such as motivation cannot be directly observed or measured. Method: Based on the Self-Determination Theory of motivation, a four-subscale 15-item scale was developed and tested as part of the National Health Services Performance Assessment in Afghanistan. The sample (n=2,413), including speakers of two main languages of Afghanistan, Dari and Pashto, was split into four parts. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on sample one, which contained only Dari speakers (n=431). Based on these results, confirmatory factor analysis was performed on sample two (n=439), which also contained only Dari speakers. This model was cross-validated using CFA on a third sample of Dari speakers (n=805). Finally, the generalizability of the scale was tested on Pashto speakers (n=738). Reliability of the scale was assessed using ordinal alpha based on polychoric correlation matrix. Construct validity of the scale was assessed using the following variables: intention to quit, performance assessment and feedback,
Managing Trust in Social Networks

ABSTRACT The huge diffusion of Web-based social networks increases the risks for users, including identity theft, personalized phishing, and malware. Effective mechanisms for trust evaluation can help to identify malicious users and contrast these risks. In this paper, we propose an approach to evaluate trust based on the history of the activity of each user. This guarantees robustness (it is difficult to be artificially reproduced by an attacker) and is reliable (as it does not rely on user-generated tags or keyword but it makes an analysis of users' conversation).
Lake restoration and biomanipulation in temperate lakes: relevance for subtropical and tropical lakes

This introductory chapter to the book “Tropical eutrophic lakes: their restoration and management” gives a summary survey of the responses of temperate lakes to increased nutrient loading (the eutrophication process) and during remediation. Chemically and biologically conditioned resistance may cause a delayed response to the nutrient loading reduction and different methods of overcoming this resistance are briefly described. Biological restoration methods (termed “biomanipulation”) are promising new tools. However, a significant difference in biological interactions in temperate versus subtropical-tropical lakes renders it difficult directly to apply the biological restoration methods. These include often higher dominance and abundance of small fish, higher aggregation of fish in vegetation, higher number of fish cohorts per year, higher degree of omnivorous feeding by fish and less piscivory in subtropical and tropical lakes than in temperate lakes. Unfortunately, only little is known about the trophic dynamics and the role of fishes in warm lakes. Since many subtropical and tropical lakes are today heavily eutrophicated, there is a great need for gaining new knowledge of trophic interactions and possible lake restoration methods for these regions. This is amplified by the fact that the eutrophication problem is expected to increase in the near future due to both the economical development and global warming. Eutrophication of lakes During the past centuries, increased urbanization and sewage disposal, regulation of wetlands and streams and more intensive farming practices have increased the nutrient loading to many shallow lakes world-wide, not least in the industrialized part of the world. This has resulted in major changes in the biological structure and dynamics of the lakes and often in a shift from a clear to a turbid state.
Shock-capturing with discontinuous garlekin methods

A shock capturing strategy for high order Discontinuous Galerkin methods for conservation laws is proposed. We present a method in the one-dimensional case based on the introduction of artificial viscosity into the original equations. With this approach the shock is capture with sharp resolution maintaining high-order accuracy. The ideas for the extension to the two-dimensional case are also set.
A Comparison of the Combined-Use of Alcohol & Energy Drinks to Alcohol-Only on High-Risk Drinking and Driving Behaviors

Background: The combined-use of alcohol and energy drinks is an emerging public health issue. This investigation examined differences in drinking and driving behaviors among combined-users (CU) and participants who consumed alcohol-only (AO). Objectives: This study was specifically designed to investigate potential differences in drinker's perceptions of (a) what it means to them to drive over the . 08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) driving limit and (b) what it means to drive after knowing they have had too much to drink to drive safely. Methods: College students (N = 355) were surveyed to assess differences in drinking and driving-related behaviors between the AO (n = 174) and CU (n = 107) groups. Results: CU were more likely than AO to drive over the . 08 BAC driving limit (53% vs. 38%; p = .009) and after knowing they were too drunk to drive (57% vs. 44%; p = .025). CU were also more likely (56% vs. 35%; p = .000) to ride with an intoxicated driver while knowing it was unsafe. Conclusions/Importance: Combined-users are more likely to drive after drinking, drive while knowingly drunk, and participate in other high-risk behaviors such as heavy drinking that increase the potential for injury. Public policy makers and health professionals should focus prevention efforts to reduce high-risk combined-use behavior.
Improvements for the visualization of low‐molecular weight protein and peptides of human tears using MALDI

Many low‐molecular weight proteins and peptides in human tears are potentially bioactive proteins but the range and number of these is yet to be fully characterized. A number of different sample preparation techniques were used to maximize the visualization of peptides from reflex tears. Samples were pretreated using precipitation and filtration techniques prior to analyses using MALDI‐TOF MS. Peptides were searched for between 700 to 4000 m/z. Sample dilution in several different buffer systems followed by filtration with a 30‐kDa cutoff filter and C18 reverse phase microcolumn purification produced significantly (p = 0.049) more peaks in tears than other methods used to prepare tears prior to MALDI‐TOF MS. This study has established a technique for optimizing the visualization of naturally occurring peptides in tears.
A review of a multifactorial probability‐based model for classification of BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance (VUS)

Clinical mutation screening of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for the presence of germline inactivating mutations is used to identify individuals at elevated risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Variants identified during screening are usually classified as pathogenic (increased risk of cancer) or not pathogenic (no increased risk of cancer). However, a significant proportion of genetic tests yields variants of uncertain significance (VUS) that have undefined risk of cancer. Individuals carrying these VUS cannot benefit from individualized cancer risk assessment. Recently, a quantitative “posterior probability model” for assessing the clinical relevance of VUS in BRCA1 or BRCA2, which integrates multiple forms of genetic evidence has been developed. Here, we provide a detailed review of this model. We describe the components of the model and explain how these can be combined to calculate a posterior probability of pathogenicity for each VUS. We explain how the model can be applied to public data and provide tables that list the VUS that have been classified as not pathogenic or pathogenic using this method. While we use BRCA1 and BRCA2 VUS as examples, the method can be used as a framework for classification of the pathogenicity of VUS in other cancer genes. Hum Mutat 33:8–21, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of Three Real-Time PCR Assays for Detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae in an Outbreak Investigation

ABSTRACT We compared the performances of three recently optimized real-time PCR assays derived from distinct genomic regions of Mycoplasma pneumoniae during an outbreak. Comprehensive evaluation established that a newly described toxin gene represents a superior target for detecting M. pneumoniae DNA in clinical specimens, although use of multiple targets may increase testing confidence.
Presumptive shigellosis: Clinical and laboratory characteristics of Bangladeshi patients

The aim of the study was to examine some selected clinical and laboratory parameters in distinguishing non-Shigella invasive diarrhoeas from culture-confirmed Shigella cases. We conducted a clinic-based, cross-sectional study at the Dhaka Hospital of ICDDR,B located in Bangladesh. In total, 389 patients of all age groups and of both genders, with a history of diarrhoea of less than 96 h and presence of visible blood and/or mucus in the stool were presumed to have shigellosis and enrolled in the study. Shigella was isolated from faecal cultures in 227 (58.4%) patients. The remaining 162 (41.6%) patients did not have Shigella isolated from their faecal cultures and constituted the comparison group. Another 238 randomly selected patients with non-Shigella diarrhoea from the Diarrhoeal Disease Surveillance System database of the Dhaka Hospital constituted another comparison group. Cases of culture-proven Shigella were similar to non-Shigella invasive diarrhoeal patients with presumptive shigellosis with regard to several biosocial variables. The nutritional status of children with shigellosis was significantly inferior to those with non-Shigella diarrhoea. The presence of macrophages more than 5/HPF in stool microscopic examination was significantly more frequent among patients infected with Shigella. Empirical antimicrobial therapy for shigellosis might be considered for malnourished diarrhoeal children presenting with history of visible blood and/or mucus in stool, and children older than 1 y of age. Further studies are needed in different geographical settings to identify clinical and laboratory parameters that could help identify patients with shigellosis.
How Much Do Industry, Corporation, and Business Matter, Really? A Meta-Analysis

The academic field of strategy seeks to explain differences in firm performance. A consensus exists that industry, corporate, and business effects together account for most performance differences, but there is debate over how much each factor explains. Previous studies have used three different effect size measures: sum of squares, variance, or standard deviation. These measures yield different results for a given sample, which precludes direct comparison. Using simulation analysis, I show that the sum-of-squares measure is sensitive to sample dimensions (e.g., the number of industries, the number of businesses per industry). Using 25 samples from nine studies (N = 212,112), I find that this sensitivity is strong in practice: knowing only the dimensions of a sample is sufficient to predict well the sum-of-squares measure. A meta-analysis is conducted using the variance and standard deviation measures instead (18 samples from 16 studies, N = 225,183). With the variance measure, the effect sizes are 0.08 f.
Predicting midsagittal pharynx shape from tongue position during vowel production.

The shape of the pharynx has a large effect on the acoustics of vowels, but direct measurement of this part of the vocal tract is difficult. The present study examines the efficacy of inferring midsagittal pharynx shape from the position of the tongue, which is much more amenable to measurement. Midsagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images were obtained for multiple repetitions of 11 static English vowels spoken by two subjects (one male and one female). From these, midsagittal widths were measured at approximately 3-mm intervals along the entire vocal tract. A regression analysis was then used to assess whether the pharyngeal widths could be predicted from the locations and width measurements for four positions on the tongue, namely, those likely to be the locations of a receiver coil for an electromagnetometer system. Predictability was quite high throughout the vocal tract (multiple r> 0.9), except for the extreme ends (i.e., larynx and lips) and small decreases for the male subject in the uvula region. The residuals from this analysis showed that the accuracy of predictions was generally quite high, with 89.2% of errors being less than 2 mm. The extremes of the vocal tract, where the resolution of the MRI was poorer, accounted for much of the error. For languages like English, which do not use advanced tongue root (ATR) distinctively, the midsagittal pharynx shape of static vowels can be predicted with high accuracy.
Spatially Varying Elasticity in Image Registration

Summary Objectives: In this paper we are concerned with elastic image registration. Usually, elastic approaches assume constant material parameters and result in a smooth displacement field. However, a constant choice has its shortcomings for images with varying elastic properties, like bones and soft tissue. The proposed method allows forspatially varying material properties. Methods: The proposed variational registration scheme is based on a segmentation of the template image. Individual material properties can be assigned to each segmented region. The proposed variable elastic regulariser leads to a displacement field which is adapted to the locally chosen material properties. Results: The capability of this approach is demonstrated by a synthetic and by real-life examples in two dimensions. For all examples the proposed method is compared to a conventional scheme where the material parameters are constants in the entire image domain. Conclusions: A method for non-parametric registration which supports spatially varying elastic properties such as (in)compressibility or Young’s modulus in certain image regions is proposed. It allows for registration results to be more realistic compared to conventional approaches. Also, for a particular structure, an approximated preservation of volume or shape can be achieved.
Speaker-Dependent Human Emotion Recognition in Unimodal and Bimodal Scenarios

This paper presents an efficient technique of human emotion recognition using the audio and visual modalities for the speaker-dependent scenario. To achieve better emotion classification different audio and visual features were extracted. The feature selection was performed using the Plus -Take Away algorithm based on two criteria: Mahalanobis distance and KL-divergence. The feature selection was followed by feature reduction using PCA and LDA, and classification using the Gaussian classifier. Emotion classification was performed using both the unimodal and bimodal approaches. In the bimodal approach, audio and visual features were fused at two levels: feature and decision. The emotion classification performance comparable to humans was achieved on the SAVEE database for the unimodal and bimodal scenarios.