Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Duration Puzzle in Life-Cycle Investment

By analyzing the portfolio allocations of Target Date Funds (TDFs), we document that the observed durations of TDF portfolios are inconsistent with the durations predicted by classical portfolio theory. We call this stylized fact the duration puzzle. We investigate to what extent several extensions of classical portfolio theory can explain the duration puzzle. More specifi cally, we consider the impact of human capital, discount rate variation in the stock price, inflation risk and portfolio restrictions on the duration of the optimal portfolio. We find that it is difficult to explain the duration puzzle, especially for individuals aged between 35 and 65.
It's the Way You Ask That Matters: Comparison of Data Relating to Prevalence of Incontinence Aid Use From Two Surveys of People With Multiple Sclerosis

The method used for data collection and research affects the outcomes and must be carefully considered when planning studies and when evaluating study results. This article presents the profound differences in outcomes generated by anonymous questionnaire vs face-to-face interviews. In this limited study regarding the use of incontinence aids among individuals with multiple sclerosis, the prevalence rates generated by questionnaire were 3 times the rates generated by interviews. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are addressed, and implications for research and for practice are identified.
Who Likes Jargon? The Joint Effect of Jargon Type and Industry Knowledge on Investors’ Judgments

We experimentally investigate how jargon affects investment willingness for investors with different industry knowledge, and whether such effects vary with good or bad jargon. We find that for investors without industry knowledge, jargon decreases investment willingness because it decreases understanding. However, for investors with some but low industry knowledge, jargon increases investment willingness because it increases perceived product premium. Such effects exist whether good or bad jargon is used. Finally, investors with high industry knowledge differentiate between good and bad jargon, and reduce investment willingness only when bad jargon is used. These findings have implications for regulators, managers, and investors.
Myogenic cells derived from rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells exposed to 5‐azacytidine

The compound 5‐azacytidine has been previously shown to convert cells of the rat embryonic fibroblastic cell line, C3H/10T1/2, into myoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Rare, resident cells of bone marrow and periosteum, referred to as mesenchymal stem cells, have been shown to differentiate into a number of mesenchymal phenotypes including bone, cartilage, and adipocytes. Rat bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were exposed to 5‐azacytidine beginning 24 h after seeding twice‐passaged cells into culture dishes. After an exposure of 24 h, long, multinucleated myotubes were observed in some of the dishes 7–11 days later. Cells containing Sudan black‐positive droplets in their cytoplasm were also observed. Thus, culture‐propagated rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells appear to have the capacity to be induced to differentiate in vitro into myogenic and adipocytic phenotypes, although nonmesenchymal cells (rat brain fibroblasts) cannot be so induced. Taken together, these observations provide support for the suggestion that mesenchymal stem cells in the bone marrow of postnatal organisms may provide a source for myoprogenitor cells which could function in clinically relevant myogenic regeneration. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
REDUCING THE DEVELOPMENT GAPS BETWEEN REGIONS IN POLAND WITH THE USE OF EUROPEAN UNION FUNDS

The paper evaluates the processes of regional income convergence in Poland. This new research approach involves an attempt to assess the process of convergence from the point of view of development gaps. Six key development gaps were considered in the region of Eastern Poland, which is a singular case, significantly different from other regions. A dynamic panel data model was applied to investigate the impact of EU funds on the progress made towards closing these development gaps. Among the analysed development gaps, only the structural gap was not reduced in the period 2004–2015. Studies have also revealed the different impact of structural funds on each category of development gaps (a positive impact on reducing the regional transport accessibility gap and the investment gap, but negative – on reducing the innovation gap). Research has suggested the need for a change in the structure of using EU funds in the period 2014–2020 to favour stronger support for entrepreneurship and the creation of new jobs. Greater stimulation of the economic structure of peripheral regions has been proposed as the prerequisite for the future reduction in the discrepancies between regions and for the intensification of convergence.
High-molecular-weight components in lipopolysaccharides of Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella minnesota, and Escherichia coli

Lipopolysaccharide from smooth strains of Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella minnesota, and Escherichia coli O111:B4, O55:B5, and O127:B8 was fractionated by gel filtration chromatography. All lipopolysaccharide samples separated into three major populations. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the fractions from S. typhimurium and S. minnesota indicated that the three peaks were made up of molecules with average O-antigen lengths of (i) 70 or more repeat units, (ii) 30 and 20 repeats units in the samples from S. typhimurium and S. minnesota, respectively, and (iii) 1 repeat unit. In contrast to the Salmonella samples, peak 1 from the E. coli samples was not detected on polyacrylamide gels and lacked detectable phosphate. This high-molecular-weight material had a sugar composition similar to that of O-antigen and was tentatively identified as capsular polysaccharide. Peaks 2 and 3 of the E. coli samples were analogous to those of the Salmonella isolates, containing lipopolysaccharide molecules with averages of 18 and 1 O-antigen repeat units, respectively. These lipopolysaccharide molecules did not completely dissociate during electrophoresis, and multimers were detected as distinct, anomalous, slow-migrating bands. Increasing the concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate in the gels resulted in the dissociation of these multimers.
Does Brand Personification Matter in Consuming Tourism Real Estate Products? A Perspective on Brand Personality, Self-congruity and Brand Loyalty

ABSTRACT This study explored the importance of the brand personification perspective in consuming tourism real estate products in the Chinese context. The structure and the relationships among personified and non-personified brand personality, self-congruity and brand loyalty with the tourism real estate market were empirically tested. Results indicate that personified brand personality dimensions had greater influence on self-congruity than non-personified dimensions; and self-congruity mediates the relationship between brand personality dimensions and brand loyalty. The findings confirm the influence of brand personification and suggest that personified dimensions are more important than non-personified dimensions for consumers to describe self-images and form their self-congruity and brand loyalty. Theoretical and managerial implications are also discussed.
Effects of testosterone on spermatogenic cell populations in the adult rat.

The aim of this study was to investigate the progression of germ cell populations through the rat spermatogenic cycle when spermatogenesis was suppressed by LH withdrawal through the use of a combination of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E) and then reinitiated by the administration of high doses of T. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats received 3-cm T and 0.4-cm E silastic implants for 6, 8, or 12 wk to suppress spermatogenesis followed by high-dose T (24-cm implants) for up to 12 wk to reinitiate spermatogenesis. The number of spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, and round spermatids per testis was established by stereological techniques, and the elongated spermatid number was determined by the testicular content of nuclei resistant to homogenization in Triton X-100. Suppression for 6-12 wk resulted in moderate and significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the numbers of type A and type B spermatogonia (to 44-59% of control levels), preleptotene (68-72% of control), and leptotene/zygotene spermatocytes (62-79% of control) as well as in the numbers of stage I-VII (56-69% of control) and stage VIII-XIV (35-43% of control) pachytene spermatocytes. Round spermatids were suppressed to 29-45% of control levels (p < 0.05) while elongated spermatids were undetectable. The hourly production rates of germ cells (calculated using published time divisors) were used to study the cellular conversions through spermatogenesis (based on the ratios of the hourly production rates) and revealed that T withdrawal consistently abolished the conversion of round to elongated spermatids. The duration of suppression (6, 8, or 12 wk) had no effect on the degree to which germ cell populations or conversions were reduced. In response to high-dose T administration, spermatogonial and spermatocyte numbers and production rates (up to stage I-VII pachytene) remained suppressed, while stage VIII-XIV pachytene spermatocytes showed an increase of borderline significance. On the other hand, round and elongated spermatid numbers and production rates increased significantly (to 81% and 78% of control, respectively) and their conversion was normalized, i.e., the spermiogenic process was restored to a level consistent with the numbers of earlier germ cells proceeding through the cycle. These data suggest that, in the presence of low T levels, spermatogenesis proceeds at approximately 65% of normal levels between the spermatogonial and round spermatid stages, irrespective of the duration of T-induced suppression. This is followed by a precipitous decline in elongated spermatid number that is attributed to the disappearance of round spermatids. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
In vivo imaging of presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic sites in the mouse submandibular ganglion

Much of what is currently known about the behavior of synapses in vivo has been learned at the mammalian neuromuscular junction, because it is large and accessible and also its postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are readily labeled with a specific, high‐affinity probe, α‐bungarotoxin (BTX). Neuron–neuron synapses have thus far been much less accessible. We therefore developed techniques for imaging interneuronal synapses in an accessible ganglion in the peripheral nervous system. In the submandibular ganglion, individual preganglionic axons establish large numbers of axo‐somatic synapses with postganglionic neurons. To visualize these sites of synaptic contact, presynaptic axons were imaged by using transgenic mice that express fluorescent protein in preganglionic neurons. The postsynaptic sites were visualized by labeling the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) α7 subunit with fluorescently tagged BTX. We developed in vivo methods to acquire three‐dimensional image stacks of the axons and postsynaptic sites and then follow them over time. The submandibular ganglion is an ideal site to study the formation, elimination, and maintenance of synaptic connections between neurons in vivo. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008
An initial approach to e-government acceptance and use: A literature analysis of e-Government acceptance determinants

Information technology has become one of the core elements of electronic government (e-Government) and should figure prominently in future governance. E-Government services, through electronic means, should provide a more cost-effective and convenient way for citizens to interact with government, however their adoption is still far from a satisfactory level. The study herein has examined research on the adoption of e-Government services. Using data obtained from previous research, this article identifies the variables that contribute to the adoption of e-Government by citizens and the model created is presented. Overall, this study concludes that e-Government has been adopted by many governments, but it is still at an early stage, and there are still barriers to its more widespread adoption in society.
Extended Characterization of a New Class of Membranes for Blood Purification: The High Cut-off Membranes

High cut-off membranes are a new class of blood purification membranes whose particular characteristics present challenges for commonly-used characterization methods. Dextran sieving curves for representative blood purification membranes of the high-flux and high cut-off types were measured and compared to curves for the glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). The performance was also determined after blood exposure for the most permeable synthetic membranes. High cut-off membranes were observed to be more open than the GFB before blood exposure, but become tighter and more selective after the exposure, keeping the permeation for low and middle molecules while restraining the filtration of large species. Based on dextran sieving experiments for a variety of commercially available blood purification membranes, we present a novel method for classifying blood purification membranes. By using a well-established technique and introducing a new characteristic parameter for the sieving curve – the molecular weight retention onset (MWRO) – a graph of molecular weight cut-off versus molecular weight retention onset provides the landscape of dialysis membrane types. This meaningful representation is based on only one in vitro method, and allows the membrane classification by indirectly considering two structural parameters: pore size and pore size distribution. In this way, the families of low-flux, high-flux, protein leaking, and high cut-off membranes are clearly differentiated. The differentiation allows for the definition of MWCO/MWRO regions for the different types, so that further classification of newly developed membranes can be easily achieved.
The Reproduction of Political Power in The Institutions of Village (1979-1999) and Nagari (2000-2015) in West Sumatera

The political policy is taken by the West Sumatera Regional Government, i.e., the overhauling of the institutional structure of Nagarirationally turns out to have been culturally constructed since the bureaucratic system changed from the village government to the Nagari government. What appears to be the stability of political institution in the regions, one of which is Nagari, turns out to be the intervention of central government in the implementation of autonomy and decentralization. Using the explorative post-positive method, the study aims to produce a conceptually and variably solid analysis in the form of descriptive writing. The result of this study shows that there is an institutional problem when the state (central and provincial government) underrates the Nagari, emphasizing merely on regional autonomy for the interests of the central government. There is the process of habitus, social capital, the political arena, and doxa that affect local institutions in Nagari when it is imposed to become part of the state political power reproduction. There are also several actions of some actors at the local and central level to take a role in democratizing the Nagari.
Nutrient content, in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane reduction potential of tropical tannin-containing leaves.

BACKGROUND Plant tannins as rumen modifiers are better than chemicals or antibiotic-based modifiers since these compounds are natural products which are environmentally friendly and therefore have a better acceptance with regard to feed safety issues. Tropical plants containing phenols such as tannins were found to suppress or eliminate protozoa from the rumen and reduce methane and ammonia production. The screening of these plants is an important step in the identification of new compounds and feed additives which might contribute to mitigate rumen methanogenesis. The present study was carried out to determine the efficacy of tannins from tropical tree leaves for their methane reduction properties. RESULTS Activity of tannins, as represented by the increase in gas volume with the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 as a tannin binder (tannin bioassay) was highest in Ficus bengalensis (555%), followed by Azardirachta indica (78.5%). PEG addition did not alter (P > 0.05) methane percentage in Ficus racemosa, Glyricidia maculata, Leucena leucocephala, Morus alba and Semaroba glauca, confirming that tannins in these samples did not affect methanogenesis. The increase (P < 0.05) in protozoa population with PEG was maximal in Ficus religiosa (50), followed by Moringa oleifera (31.2), Azardirachta indica (29.9) and Semaroba glauca (27.5). There was no change (P > 0.05) in the protozoa population in Autocarpus integrifolia, Ficus bengalensis, Jatropha curcus, Morus alba and Sesbania grandiflora, demonstrating that methane reduction observed in these samples per se was not due to defaunation effect of the tannin. The increase in total volatile fatty acid concentration in samples with PEG ranged from 0.6% to > 70%. The highest increase (%) in NH(3)-N was recorded in Azardirachta indica (67.4), followed by Ficus mysoriensis (35.7) and Semaroba glauca (32.6) leaves, reflecting strong protein binding properties of tannin. CONCLUSION The results of our study established that in vitro methanogenesis was not essentially related to the density of protozoa population. Tropical tree leaves containing tannins such as Autocarpus integrifolia, Jatropha curcus and Sesbania grandiflora have the potential to suppress methanogenesis. Therefore tannins contained in these plants could be of interest in the development of new additives in ruminant nutrition.
An efficient propagation delay estimator for DS-CDMA signals

In this paper, we present an efficient algorithm for estimating the propagation delay of a known training sequence in an asynchronous direct-sequence code division multiple access (DS-CDMA) system. The algorithm is a large sample maximum likelihood (LSML) estimator that is derived by modeling the known training sequence as the desired signal and all other signals including the interfering signals and thermal noise as unknown colored Gaussian noise that are uncorrelated with the desired signal. LSML is asymptotically statistically efficient as the length of the training sequence goes to infinity. We shall show that LSML is robust against the near-far problem. The performance of the LSML estimator is compared with that of the MUSIC estimator via numerical examples and is shown to be better than that of the latter method in the sense of having lower root-mean-squared errors, lower computational complexity, and tolerating more users.
Intelligent Actuators Realizing Snake-like Small Robot for Pipe Inspection

Recently many accidents have happened due to insufficient inspections of pipes that are difficult to examine because they are often complex, underground, or in narrow spaces. In this research, the robot has been developed by applying a "sinusoidal wave drive" principle that allows robots to negotiate curved pipes and pipes of varying diameters by themselves. Previous papers reported the basic model robots to which this principle is applied. These robots show the principle's potential. In this paper a robot consisting of thirteen links is shown. Each link has an intelligent actuator that decreases the number of wirings, high performance to decentration processes, and high tolerance for electrical noise. We conducted experiments with this robot that show a wide range of applicable diameters from 36 to 180 [mm]. The robot can also negotiate the various shaped pipes and vertical pipes. These results show the potential of this system
A decentralized, convergent, nearest neighbor, spatial consensus, control protocol

In this paper a convergent, nearest-neighbor, consensus control protocol is suggested for agents with nontrivial dynamics. The protocol guarantees convergence to a common point in space even if each agent is restricted to communicate with its nearest neighbor. The neighbor, however, is restricted to lie outside an arbitrarily small priority zone surrounding the agent. The control protocol consists of two layers interconnected in a provably-correct manner. The first layer guides the agent to the rendezvous point while the other converts the guidance signal to a control signal that suits realistic agents such as UGVs, UAVs and holonomic agents with second order dynamics.
Occupational Recognition and Immigrant Labor Market Outcomes

We analyze how the formal recognition of foreign qualifications affects immigrants’ labor market outcomes. The empirical analysis is based on a novel German data set that links respondents’ survey information to their administrative records, allowing us to observe immigrants at monthly intervals before, during, and after their application for occupational recognition. We find that 3 years after obtaining recognition, immigrants earn 19.8% higher wages and are 24.5 percentage points more likely to be employed than immigrants in the control group. We further document that occupational recognition leads to full convergence of immigrants’ earnings to those of their native counterparts.
Methodology for thermal aware physical design

Exponentially increasing power densities in current day designs due to aggressive technology scaling has resulted in temperature being one of the primary design constraint along with others like timing, area and power. Lot of design techniques are being adopted during physical design stage to minimize the power, apart from the architectural techniques like throttling for dynamic thermal management. In this work we propose a practical methodology for better thermal management by floorplan modifications based on thermal hotspots obtained through dynamic simulations, without disturbing the logical connectivity information. This methodology definitely warrants the benefits which can be readily realized by doing this analysis early in the design cycle. This can also improve the placement of the thermal sensors and boost additional performance which can be extracted by their delayed triggering, considering the lateral spreading due to better floorplanning.
Upper Extremity Salvage With a Flow-Through Free Flap

In complex extremity injuries, which include composite tissue lost with devascularization caused by segmental vascular damage, simultaneous coverage of the defects with revascularizations should be required. One-stage reconstruction of both soft tissue coverage and vascular damage can be performed by a flow-through-type free flap. In this series, 5 patients between 13 and 36 years of age with wide composite tissue defects in the cubital region and segmental defects in brachial arteries were operated at our clinic between 1996 and 2003. With the aim of reconstructing the wide tissue defects in the cubital region as well as that of the brachial artery, a radial arterial flow-through flap was applied. The radial artery of the flow-through flap was anastomosed to the proximal ends of the brachial and ulnar arteries in an end-to-end fashion. In 4 of the patients, the radial arterial flow-through flap was prepared from the distal aspect of the wounded forearm and in 1 patient from the contralateral forearm. In the postoperative period, no complications related to the anastomosis were encountered in the flap with all anastomoses found to be patent, and distal circulation was restored. The radial arterial flow-through flap is very useful in the clinical field of major trauma of the cubital region with brachial artery damage with numerous advantages that include the opportunity to work in one single surgical area, shorter dissection times resulting from simple and fixed anatomy, perfect color and tissue adaptation, and the suitability of the vessel caliber and length.