Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Power flow model based on artificial neural networks

In this paper a model and a methodology for using artificial neural networks to solve the load flow problem are proposed. An evaluation of the input data required by the ANN as well as its architecture is also presented. The ANN model used in this paper is the multilayer perceptron, and the training process is based on the second order Levenberg-Marquardt method. The proposed methodology was evaluated using the Ward-Hale 6 bus, the IEEE 14 bus and the IEEE 30 bus systems, considering normal operating conditions (base case) and different contingency scenarios, including different load/generation patterns. The simulation results show the excellent performance of the ANN, proving its ability to solve the load flow problem.
Fear sentiments and gold price: testing causality in-mean and in-variance

This study investigates the causal relationship between the Volatility Index (VIX), as an indicator of fear sentiment, and the price of gold futures. We apply tests of causality in-mean and in-variance to recent data about US gold futures and find bidirectional causality in-mean and in-variance patterns between both variables. We also observe a significant lagged causality in-mean, implying that changes in the VIX drive the returns of gold contracts but not vice versa. While prior studies explain gold price movements through macroeconomic variables and events, this study expands our understanding of how psychological sentiments (risk aversion) move the gold price.
IS THERE A POST LISTING ANOMALY FOR IPOS OVERSEAS LISTING

Both the IPO literature and cross listing literature document that soon after the overseas listing of IPOs, the results are negative abnormal returns, and that phenomenon are “ post listing anomaly”. This paper checks whether there is a post listing anomaly and tries to find reasons for it. The paper concludes that the post listing anomaly does not exist. Further, some companies time the market while others do not when they consider listing their IPOs overseas.
A behavior-based anti-worm system

We propose a behavior-based intrusion detection and response system for Internet worms called Lambent Anti-Worm System (LAWS). LAWS can detect the intruded services and influenced range automatically. Besides, it also can analyze the key information of the intrusion. We can prevent worm distribution and intrusion in advance via the information provided. In addition, to detecting and preventing the distribution of a well-known malicious worm, LAWS can also defend for future, unknown, or new malicious worms. Mobile agents will help LAWS to form a defense system for other LAW'S users over the Internet. The contribution of our system is to decrease the response time of attack and reduce the damaged range. At the same time, it also diminishes the damage and decreases the fixed cost.
HERI hand: A quasi dexterous and powerful hand with asymmetrical finger dimensions and under actuation

In this paper, the Hardware Embedded Reduced Intricacy (HERI) Hand, which is a novel tendon driven three-finger under-actuated hand demonstrating balanced dexterous finger manipulation and powerful grasping of common objects is presented. The third finger of HERI Hand is asymmetrically designed in terms of dimensions to emulate the functionality for combining middle finger, ring finger and little finger of a human hand. HERI Hand is equipped with three actuators devoted to the actuation of the flexion of the index finger and thumb, the flexion of the third finger and finally the thumb abduction and adduction motion with the latest drive having no interference with other transmissions. The proposed hand is capable of realizing delicate finger manipulation such as opening a lidded cup, which is super suitable to accomplish in such configuration. At the same time the hand demonstrates high grasping strength capacity thanks to the actuation sizing permitted by the under-actuated configuration. The hand is also equipped with tactile/pressure sensors distributed in the phalanxes, which leaves open the possibility of potential applications for sophisticated finger manipulations taking into account the phalanxes contact forces. Three different sets of experiments were carried out to demonstrate the performance of HERI Hand and validated its functionality.
The Convergence of Labour Productivity in British and German Industries

When a Galtonian cross-section regression model is used to analyse data on the relative labour productivity of 30 British and German manufacturing industries 1960-1989, it is found that there are strong tendencies for labour productivity in the two countries to converge. This is particularly true for 1960-73 and for 1979-89, when there was Galtonian regression towards the (geometric) mean level of relative productivity. There was no tendency for the relative advantage or disadvantage of an industry to persist over time. When an errors-in-variables model is used, it is found that reverse regression and lagged value instrumental variable estimators do not indicate that the OLS estimators in the Galtonian model are usually biased downwards and in fact confirm the direction of the Galtonian regression.
Transmembrane Protein Aptamers That Inhibit CCR5 Expression and HIV Coreceptor Function

ABSTRACT We have exploited the ability of transmembrane domains to engage in highly specific protein-protein interactions to construct a new class of small proteins that inhibit HIV infection. By screening a library encoding hundreds of thousands of artificial transmembrane proteins with randomized transmembrane domains (termed “traptamers,” for transmembrane aptamers), we isolated six 44- or 45-amino-acid proteins with completely different transmembrane sequences that inhibited cell surface and total expression of the HIV coreceptor CCR5. The traptamers inhibited transduction of human T cells by HIV reporter viruses pseudotyped with R5-tropic gp120 envelope proteins but had minimal effects on reporter viruses with X4-tropic gp120. Optimization of two traptamers significantly increased their activity and resulted in greater than 95% inhibition of R5-tropic reporter virus transduction without inhibiting expression of CD4, the primary HIV receptor, or CXCR4, another HIV coreceptor. In addition, traptamers inhibited transduction mediated by a mutant R5-tropic gp120 protein resistant to maraviroc, a small-molecule CCR5 inhibitor, and they dramatically inhibited replication of an R5-tropic laboratory strain of HIV in a multicycle infection assay. Genetic experiments suggested that the active traptamers specifically interacted with the transmembrane domains of CCR5 and that some of the traptamers interacted with different portions of CCR5. Thus, we have constructed multiple proteins not found in nature that interfere with CCR5 expression and inhibit HIV infection. These proteins may be valuable tools to probe the organization of the transmembrane domains of CCR5 and their relationship to its biological activities, and they may serve as starting points to develop new strategies to inhibit HIV infection.
When right differs from left: Human limb directional asymmetry emerges during very early development

The often observed directional asymmetry (DA) in human limb bones may have a genetic/developmental basis and/or could emerge from different mechanical loadings across sides due to handedness. Because behavioural lateralization in itself has a genetic basis, it has been suggested that DA in limbs could develop prenatally as a pre-adaptation to adult life. However, the presence of consistent differences in the size of left and right limb bones in early development is understudied. We study asymmetry in limb bones during early development (10–20 weeks of gestation) in a sample of 178 aborted foetuses. Statistically significant DA was found in several upper and lower limb bones, where the right-hand side was consistently larger than the left. We argue that this pattern is probably the consequence of developmental processes related to internal asymmetric positioning of organs.
Investor Attention and Stock Mispricing

This study examines the relation between investor attention and stock mispricing of accruals in U.S. firms using the Limited Investor Attention Model of Hirshleifer and Teoh (2003). Consistent with the model's hypothesis that investor attention reduces stock mispricing of accruals, I document three key findings. First, I find a significant and negative correlation between stock mispricing of accruals and analyst following. Second, stock mispricing of accruals is negatively correlated with institutional ownership and, in particular, with the ownership of bank trusts and the ownership of pensions and endowments. Third, stock mispricing of accruals is negatively correlated with Big 4 auditor choice. Attention des investisseurs et erreurs d'evaluation se refletant dans les cours Resume A l'aide du modele d'attention limitee des investisseurs propose par Hirshleifer et Teoh (2003), l'auteur se penche sur la relation entre l'attention des investisseurs et les erreurs d'evaluation relatives aux ajustements se refletant dans les cours des societes americaines. Conformement a l'hypothese du modele selon laquelle l'attention des investisseurs reduit les erreurs d'evaluation des ajustements se refletant dans les cours, les donnees recueillies par l'auteur debouchent sur trois observations. Premierement, il existe une correlation negative significative entre l'erreur d'evaluation des ajustements se refletant dans les cours et le suivi des analystes. Deuxiemement, l'erreur d'evaluation des ajustements se refletant dans les cours affiche une correlation negative avec la propriete institutionnelle et, plus particulierement, avec la propriete des fiducies bancaires ainsi que des caisses de retraite et des fonds de dotation. Troisiemement, l'erreur d'evaluation des ajustements se refletant dans les cours est en correlation negative avec le choix d'un cabinet appartenant aux Quatre Grands.
Learning from the past: fiscal adjustments on the run-up to the euro area

This paper examines the fi scal adjustments that took place on the run-up to the euro area. OECD data are used to identify and characterize episodes of fi scal consolidation in a broad set of countries and within the 1980-2008 time-frame, but focusing, in particular, on those corresponding to the founding Member-states of the euro area and to the 1993-1997 period. Results suggest that, on the period prior to the inception of the euro area, cyclical and interest rate conditions made it easier to comply with the Maastricht criteria without requiring strong primary expenditure cuts, particularly as regards sensitive items such as social transfers and compensation of employees. This may explain why none of the fi scal adjustments identifi ed in 1993-1997 in countries that would become members of the euro area was successful in persistently reducing public debt ratios.
Radial to Femoral Arterial Blood Pressure Differences in Septic Shock Patients Receiving High-Dose Norepinephrine Therapy

ABSTRACT Objectives: The accuracy of arterial blood pressure (ABP) monitoring is crucial in treating septic shock patients. Clinically significant differences in central to peripheral ABP could develop into sepsis during vasopressor therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between radial (peripheral) and femoral (central) ABP in septic shock patients receiving high-dose norepinephrine (NE) therapy. Methods and Results: This prospective observational study comparing simultaneous intra-arterial measurements of radial and femoral ABP was performed at a university-affiliated, tertiary referral center between October 2008 and March 2009. Patients with septic shock who needed continuous blood pressure monitoring and high-dose NE therapy 0.1 µg/kg per minute or greater to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 65 mmHg or greater were included. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Bland-Altman method for comparison of repeated measures. In total, 250 sets of systolic, mean, and diastolic femoral and radial ABP were recorded at baseline and after NE titration. Arterial blood pressure readings from the radial artery were underestimated compared with those from the femoral artery. Overall bias (mean difference between simultaneous measurements) between radial and femoral MAP was +4.9 mmHg; however, during high-dose NE therapy, the bias increased to +6.2 mmHg (95% limits of agreement: −6.0 to +18.3 mmHg). Clinically significant radial-femoral MAP differences (MAP ≥5 mmHg) occurred in up to 62.2% of patients with high-dose NE therapy. Conclusions: Radial artery pressure frequently underestimates central pressure in septic shock patients receiving high-dose NE therapy. Femoral arterial pressure monitoring may be more appropriate when high-dose NE therapy is administered.
Multi-dimensional hyperspectral imaging system

Common Silicon-based imaging systems allow acquisition of spectral and/or depth information by paying a significant penalty in resolution. Computational cameras, however, reduce this penalty by applying compressed sensing techniques but require modified optical hardware and rely on preliminary knowledge. This article presents a new concept for imaging system that enables color imaging and hyperspectral imaging by both multiplexing and compressed sensing approaches.
A functional approach to understanding the role of NCKX5 in Xenopus pigmentation

NCKX5 is an ion exchanger expressed mostly in pigment cells; however, the functional role for this protein in melanogenesis is not clear. A variant allele of SLC24A5, the gene encoding NCKX5, has been shown to correlate with lighter skin pigmentation in humans, indicating a key role for SLC24A5 in determining human skin colour. SLC24A5 expression has been found to be elevated in melanoma. Knockdown analyses have shown SLC24A5 to be important for pigmentation, but to date the function of this ion exchanger in melanogenesis has not been fully established. Our data suggest NCKX5 may have an alternative activity that is key to its role in the regulation of pigmentation. Here Xenopus laevis is employed as an in vivo model system to further investigate the function of NCKX5 in pigmentation. SLC24A5 is expressed in the melanophores as they differentiate from the neural crest and develop in the RPE of the eye. Morpholino knockdown and rescue experiments were designed to elucidate key residues and regions of the NCKX5 protein. Unilateral morpholino injection at the 2 cell stage resulted in a reduction of pigmentation in the eye and epidermis of one lateral side of the tadpole. Xenopus and human SLC24A5 can rescue the morpholino effects. Further rescue experiments including the use of ion exchange inactive SLC24A5 constructs raise the possibility that full ion exchanger function of NCKX5 may not be required for rescue of pigmentation.
Engineering Mycorrhizal Symbioses to Alter Plant Metabolism and Improve Crop Health

Creating sustainable bioeconomies for the 21st century relies on optimizing the use of biological resources to improve agricultural productivity and create new products. Arbuscular mycorrhizae (phylum Glomeromycota) form symbiotic relationships with over 80% of vascular plants. In return for carbon, these fungi improve plant health and tolerance to environmental stress. This symbiosis is over 400 million years old and there are currently over 200 known arbuscular mycorrhizae, with dozens of new species described annually. Metagenomic sequencing of native soil communities, from species-rich meadows to mangroves, suggests biologically diverse habitats support a variety of mycorrhizal species with potential agricultural, medical, and biotechnological applications. This review looks at the effect of mycorrhizae on plant metabolism and how we can harness this symbiosis to improve crop health. I will first describe the mechanisms that underlie this symbiosis and what physiological, metabolic, and environmental factors trigger these plant-fungal relationships. These include mycorrhizal manipulation of host genetic expression, host mitochondrial and plastid proliferation, and increased production of terpenoids and jasmonic acid by the host plant. I will then discuss the effects of mycorrhizae on plant root and foliar secondary metabolism. I subsequently outline how mycorrhizae induce three key benefits in crops: defense against pathogen and herbivore attack, drought resistance, and heavy metal tolerance. I conclude with an overview of current efforts to harness mycorrhizal diversity to improve crop health through customized inoculum. I argue future research should embrace synthetic biology to create mycorrhizal chasses with improved symbiotic abilities and potentially novel functions to improve plant health. As the effects of climate change and anthropogenic disturbance increase, the global diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi should be monitored and protected to ensure this important agricultural and biotechnological resource for the future.
The Power of Evidence: Improving the Effectiveness of Government by Investing in More Rigorous Evaluation

The current fiscal climate is focusing attention on the need for more efficient government. However, we have remarkably little rigorous information on which are the most cost-effective strategies for achieving common goals like delivering high quality education in deprived neighbourhoods or reducing carbon emissions. This paper argues that randomised impact evaluations can provide an effective way to generate the information needed to make government more effective. Advances in the theory and practice of running randomised evaluations mean that a wider range of questions can be answered than ever before. Elsewhere in the world, fundamental questions are being answered about how humans behave, which in turn are being used to design new policies which themselves are rigorously tested. By learning from these results, and by conducting more randomised evaluations on issues important to UK policy (both at home and abroad) it will be possible to design more effective policies and do more with less.
'Perception-action' behavior control of a mobile robot in uncertain environments using fuzzy logic

This paper presents a new method for 'perception-action' behavior control of a mobile robot in uncertain environments using fuzzy logic. 'Perception-action' behavior control suffers from two significant problems: 1. The quantitative formulation of 'perception-action' behaviors; 2. The efficient coordination of conflicts and competitions among multiple behaviors. The main idea of the present study is to incorporate fuzzy logic control with behavior-based control such that: 'perception-action' behaviors are formulated by fuzzy sets and fuzzy rules; conflicts and competitions among different behaviors are coordinated by fuzzy reasoning. Simulation results show that the proposed method can be applied to efficient robot navigation in complex and unknown environments by weighting multiple behaviors, such as avoiding obstacles, following edges, and moving to a target, and so forth. In addition, this method is suitable for robot navigation by multisensor fusion and integration. <<ETX>>
A Combined Stated-Revealed Preference Model of Recreation in Irish Forestry

This research utilises a contingent behaviour valuation technique to value a number of improvements to recreational facilities in small-scale forests in Ireland. Willingness–to-pay estimates have previously been made for Coillte (Ireland’s state-owned forestry company) trails and forests. The total non-market value of Irish forests has also been examined. This paper adds to the literature by being the first to estimate the consumer surplus associated with recreational enhancements to Irish small-scale forest resources. The results presented indicate that community owned small-scale forestry can contribute enormously to the wellbeing of nearby urban residents, through the provision of outdoor recreational services.
Financial Accounting Reform in Flemish Universities: An Empirical Study of the Implementation

This paper presents an overview of the current accounting reform towards accrual accounting in Flemish universities. The focus is on the concept of the reformed accounting legislation and on the empirical outcomes of implementation based on an examination of annual accounts. An important issue is the unsuccessful mixing up of the traditional budgetary accounting system with the new financial accounting system. The empirical examination reveals a lot of accounting problems in the area of the reformed regulations as well as in the accounting practices and that the comparability of the annual reporting is not guaranteed even after years of experience.
Comparison and evaluation of rigid, affine, and nonrigid registration of breast MR images.

PURPOSE A new nonrigid registration method, designed to reduce the effect of movement artifact in subtraction images from breast MR, is compared with existing rigid and affine registration methods. METHOD Nonrigid registration was compared with rigid and affine registration methods and unregistered images using 54 gadolinium-enhanced 3D breast MR data sets. Twenty-seven data sets had been previously reported normal, and 27 contained a histologically proven carcinoma. The comparison was based on visual assessment and ranking by two radiologists. RESULTS When analyzed by two radiologists independently, all three registration methods gave better-quality subtraction images than unregistered images (p < 0.01), but nonrigid registration gave significantly better results than the rigid and affine registration methods (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between rigid and affine registration methods. CONCLUSION Nonrigid registration significantly reduces the effects of movement artifact in subtracted contrast-enhanced breast MRI. This may enable better visualization of small tumors and those within a glandular breast.
Fibroblast-like synoviocytes from patients with rheumatoid arthritis are more sensitive to apoptosis induced by the viral protein, apoptin, than fibroblast-like synoviocytes from trauma patients.

OBJECTIVE Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show characteristics of transformation. Because the chicken anemia virus protein, apoptin, induces apoptosis solely in transformed cells, it was investigated whether FLS from patients were more sensitive to apoptin-induced apoptosis than FLS from normal joints obtained from trauma patients. METHODS FLS were transduced with maltose-binding protein (MBP)-apoptin recombinant protein or MBP as a control protein by microinjection. After 24 hours, cells were fixed and stained with immunofluorescence to detect apoptin or MBP and the number of dead cells was assessed. Furthermore, phosphorylation of apoptin was analysed in FLS from patients with RA and from trauma patients by in vitro kinase assay. RESULTS FLS from patients with RA were significantly more sensitive to apoptin-induced apoptosis than FLS from trauma patients (p = 0.0263). Furthermore, MBP-apoptin induced more apoptosis than MBP in RA FLS (p = 0.004). No phosphorylation of apoptin was observed in FLS from patients with RA. DISCUSSION FLS from patients with RA are more sensitive to apoptin-induced apoptosis than normal FLS, which is consistent with a transformed phenotype of these cells. However, given the lack of phosphorylation of apoptin in RA FLS the mechanism of action of apoptin seems to differ between tumour cells and RA FLS. This study indicates that apoptin may help to identify a new therapeutic pathway against hyperplasia of the synovium and joint destruction in RA.